Lowest gas price - April 29

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.32 at Chevron, located at 15524 Ga. Highway 36 and Ga. Highway 212.

Newton County under thunderstorm, hazardous weather warning

A severe thunderstom warning and a hazardous weather outlook remains in effect for east central Newton County, according to reports from the National Weather Service.

Tornado touches down on Veal Rd

Reports of a rotation spotting on West Street in the city, and tornado spottings in the Grosslake area. Also, a touchdown reported on Veal Road off Ga. Highway 212.

County budget process kicks off

Newton County commissioners have begun working their way through next year's proposed budget, and they'll once again be faced with the tough task of trying to fund needed increases with little extra revenue.

Federation Day celebration

Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston recently signed a proclamation for Federation Day for the five- area General Federation of Women's Clubs located in Newton County.

Special Olympics begins

Newton County Special Olympics will be held this week, as children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities participate in a variety of athletic activities.

Newborn holds Horneyhead Festival

Newborn Dixie Jubilee entertains a crowd at the Horneyhead Fishing Tournament and Festival Saturday. Heather Jackson was named the 2013 Horneyhead Queen. The tranquil scenery that surrounds the quiet little town of Newborn attracts nearby residents looking for a peaceful, fun-filled afternoon of hospitality from locals.

Search to begin for new rec director

Tommy Hailey has been recreation director so long the county doesn't even have a job description for his position.

Church stitches hats for infants

People who enjoy needlework are invited to lend their hearts and hands to a crochet project for the Newton Medical Birth Care Center. If you're not crafty, you can still help by donating items to help the cause.

Film studio project moving forward

Local company Triple Horse's plan to build a $38-million film studio complex in Newton County is moving forward as the company continues to work on a business plan, explore financing options and meet with state officials before continuing to pursue land for the complex.

Phillips, Cole join The News

The Covington News has welcomed two new editors. Janet Phillips will step in as editor and Crystal Cole as news editor.

Former Alcovy student wins award

The Georgia Press Educational Foundation has selected Arielle Coambes of Covington to receive the Morris Newspaper Corporation Honor Scholarship of $2,000 for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Jessicakes bakery opens in Covington

Anyone with a sweet tooth will be happy to know that a new cake shop has come to town, and the public is invited to taste a variety of made-from-scratch cakes and other desserts at a grand opening on Saturday.

Crime: Double trouble from texting

Deputies answered a call regarding a domestic dispute April 21 and arrested Timothy Ryan Willard, 24, for false imprisonment.

Traffic blocked at 36 and Henderson Mill Rd.

There has been an accident at Ga. Highway 36 and Henderson Mill Road. Three cars are still in the roadway and the Georgia State Patrol is currently working the accident. Expect delays.

Woman knew burglar who broke into home

A Covington woman had her home broken into by two men on Oct. 16.

Newborn Council Briefs

 Newborn City Council held a meeting on Oct. 5.

NMC’s Wound Care Center receives 2 state-of-the-art hyperbaric chambers

 A large 18-wheeler truck will pull up to The BirthCare Center entrance at Newton Medical Center on Oct. 15 loaded with two new Sechrist hyperbaric oxygen chambers.

A tasty donation

Pasta for police: Covington Elks Lodge No. 1806 recently sponsored a Spaghetti Dinner to raise funds to purchase much-needed Level III bullet-proof vests for the Newton County Sheriff's Department. Shown left to right are Captain Doug Kitchens, Elks State President Larry Capes, Exalted Ruler Butch Woodruff and Sheriff Ezell Brown. To donate contact the NCSO at (678) 625-1400.

Man sentenced to life for murder of his girlfriend

Harristown to get senior living facility

 The Harristown Neighborhood will be getting a $9 million affordable senior housing facility in late 2010 or early 2011.

Walton County Sheriff's Office employee dies at DeKalb Tech

A Walton County Sheriff's employee died Friday during training at the DeKalb Technical College's law enforcement academy.

Breedlove found guilty on all charges

A jury found Rick Ray Breedlove guilty of murder in the 2007 death of his then-girlfriend Pamela Spencer. Judge John Ott sentenced him to life in prison plus five years on the charges of malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Vioces from the past

On a damp, dreary mid October evening, visitors to the Historic Covington Cemetery were treated to more than tombstones and flowers. At nine selected graves around the cemetery, voices from the past told the story of each site's occupant. From preachers to gypsies, they told a variety of stories that all ended in death.

Sen. Douglas seeks funding for recent Crowell Road damage

Sen. John Douglas recently began talks with state and federal Department of Transportation (DOT) officials in order to receive vital funds needed to repair the damage to Crowell Road in Newton County. A section of the essential access road to Interstate 20 at exit 88 was washed out in the recent flooding which devastated many communities in Georgia. Like many areas in Georgia that are facing significant budget shortfalls, Newton County was not ...

Benson found guilty

A jury found Franklin Elliott Benson guilty of murder Saturday evening and Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. sentenced the 49-year-old to life plus 11 years, as family members of both Benson, and the victim, cried.

Benson takes the stand in murder trial

Franklin Elliott Benson took the stand Friday afternoon to defend himself against charges that he murdered Leslyan Williams nearly two years ago, and the inconsistencies jurors had been hearing throughout the prosecutions case were explained away by Benson who admitted to lying to anyone who asked about his whereabouts on Oct. 29, 2007.

Trial begins for Franklin Benson

It was like a macabre Halloween prank when Brandy Snellgrove came home to her secluded house at around 2:45 a.m. Oct. 30, 2007, and found that her dog Foxy had brought a human foot on her porch. But within the hour she would find out that what she thought may be a joke was anything but funny. After several weeks of investigation, DeKalb County resident Franklin ...

Prosecution calls witnesses in Benson case

The last time Leslyan Williams was heard from was Oct. 29, 2007, according to Franklin Benson when she called him with a flat tire in Tennessee. More than a week later it was her son Charles who reported her missing to DeKalb County police - not the man who witnesses say lived with her at least part time.

H1N1 vaccine available Saturday at health center

Newton County's Health Center, located at 8203 Hazelbrand Road, will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to offer the nasal spray H1N1 vaccine. No appointment is necessary and the vaccine is free of charge.