4-H'ers qualify for state BB gun tournament

I spent Saturday morning sitting on the back of a pickup at the Walton County Agricultural Center, listening as the 4-H'ers and parents sat around in safety orange T-shirts waiting on each shooter's turn.

Rep. Johnson holds meet and greet

Local officials and citizens in the area had the opportunity to listen to an update on congress and ask Representative Hank Johnson, congressman of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District, questions on Saturday at a meet and greet held at the historic courthouse.

BOC to re-apply for two grants

The Newton County Juvenile Court received permission from the Board of Commissioners to reapply for two grants.

JROTC annual awards

The annual JROTC awards ceremony was held at the Golden Fleece Masonic Lodge No. 6, March 28.

Lowest gas price - April 5

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.34 at Kroger, located at 5341 Ga. Highway 20 S near Brown Bridge Road.

Study ranks Georgia counties

A study, which ranked Georgia counties based on its combined health and economic stats, has ranked Newton County in the top 60 and Rockdale County in the top 25 in the state.

County taking bids for lawn contract

Newton County is finally bidding out its lawn care contract, which became a source of controversy this year when it was discovered the current contractor had operated without an up-to-date county business license.

Blood drives scheduled for April

Anyone looking to help save a life by donating blood can do so at upcoming blood drives hosted by the American Red Cross, the largest single supplier of blood and blood products in the U.S.

Gun-firing discussion gets reboot

The county's gun-firing ordinance discussion got a reboot at Tuesday night's Board of Commissioners work session as the citizen committee looking at the ordinance gave some preliminary findings which appear to address many people's concerns.

Covington's Crooner

Not only is Covington known as the Hollywood of the South, and as the filming location of many popular TV shows and movies, but it is gaining traction in the music department as well.

County to get new, updated website

Newton County's website is set to get a complete makeover, a move county officials agreed was long overdue.

Woman arrested for baby shoes theft

A woman was arrested Friday afternoon after allegedly stealing baby shoes.

Lowest gas price - April 4

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.39 at the Marathon station, located at Ga. Highway 142 and Dixie Road.

County employee arrested for child molestation

A Newton County Public Works employee has been arrested and charged with molesting a 4-year-old girl.

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GSP: accidents high on Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is considered the official kickoff for summer and celebrations are a common occurrence in Newton County, but law enforcement officials are warning residents to celebrate safely because they will be out in force to make sure citizens are safe. According to a press release from the Georgia State Patrol, troopers will be watching not only for unsafe drivers but also for those not wearing their safety belts. Estimates from the GSP say ...

Necklace theft leads to drug charge

A couple was arrested on marijuana charges Friday afternoon after a woman came to a local jewelry store to return a necklace she stole two days prior.

Residents receive mysterious automated call condemning millage rate increases

Newton County residents have been receiving automated phone calls opposing any millage rate increases and accusing Board of Commissioners Chairman Kathy Morgan and commissioners J.C. Henderson, Nancy Schulz and Earnest Simmons of wasting money on selfish, special interest projects. The phone call goes on to support the stands of commissioners Mort Ewing and Tim Fleming and urges residents to call all of the commissioners to make their views known.

Morning wreck snarls traffic on Hwy 278

Two cars wrecked on U.S. Hwy 278 early Thursday morning east of Martin's Crossing causing major delays in traffic.

BOC at impasse over budget

After a four and a half-hour budget work session on Monday night, the Board of Commissioners remained divided over how best to cut the remaining $4.8 million fiscal year 2010 budget deficit.

Celebrating the Great Outdoors

More than 100 attendees, from the young and the young at heart, turned out for the 13th annual J.A.K.E.S. (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) Day and Outdoor Festival at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center on Saturday. The festival, sponsored by the Georgia Wildlife Federation and Beaver Manufacturing, was designed to turn kids on to the wonders of the great outdoors and featured snake and birds of prey shows, face painting and a free ...

Local GM, Chrysler car dealerships safe from cuts

Covington Car Dealer Billy Fortson received good news for the second day in a row when he did not receive a letter from General Motors Friday. Fortson's Ginn Motor Company is not one of the 1,100 GM dealerships whose contract will not be renewed by GM in 2010.

John Miles Chevrolet not among dealers cut

The John Miles Chevrolet in Conyers announced that it was not among the GM dealerships notified today that their contracts were not being renewed. "We have not received a letter so we are not among the 1,100 that re going to receive the letter today," said owner Kim Miles.

Local legislators discuss recent session's 'winners, losers'

The Georgia Legislative Assembly ended its 2009 session on April 3, and according to Sen. John Douglas (R – Social Circle) the state budget was a winner because the state didn't have to raise taxes. However, he said the state's transportation system was a loser because no bills were passed.

Job workshop to take place Saturday

By Gabriel Khouli District 2 Commissioner Earnest Simmons is sponsoring a free job workshop tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Newton County Historic Courthouse to assist residents looking for work. The workshop is for any jobless or underemployed workers above the age of 16 and will teach residents how to search for jobs and prepare for job interviews. Simmons said he and eight other Newton County residents, including ...

I-20 wreck kills 2 Thursday morning

Two people were killed on Interstate 20 Thursday morning when one car travelled across the median into the

Army Briefs May 14

Army Pvt. Marcus S. Barton has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Barton is the son of Kimberly Whedbee of Covington.Army Pvt. C. Forsythe has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Forsythe earned distinction as an honor graduate of the course. He is the son of Lana Forsythe of Covington.Army Reserve Pvt. Marquice S. Geter has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Geter ...

Farm Day 2009

County discusses layoffs

The Newton County Board of Commissioners is considering two budget-cutting options to lay off either approximately 45 or 62 county employees in order to balance the fiscal year 2010 budget. At the May 5 budget work session, the BOC agreed that it did not want to raise the millage rate from 9.73 to 10.308, which means that supply and personnel costs will have to be cut to reduce the entire initial $8.6 million budget deficit.

Manhunt

Two Newton County schools were placed on lockdown for students' safety Tuesday morning after robbery suspects fled their vehicle in the area of Fairview Road.