Main Street vision shared

Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston has a big vision for Covington. He wants his city's downtown to be more popular than nearby Madison's, its Christmas displays to shine as brightly as Callaway Gardens,' its businesses to thrive, and its residents to be employed and entertained.

BOC plans tax increase

Newton County Chairman Keith Ellis heard residents' request for officials to find a way to balance next year's budget without raising the property tax rate, and he scrambled early last week to find an alternative.

2nd Friday concert series photos

Jazz saxophonist Chand Antonio Bennett and his band NEO4 played a free concert on the square Friday, as part of the Arts Association in Newton County's 2nd Friday concert series.

Clements Middle HonorRoll

The following students were named to the All-Year Honor Roll at Clements Middle School:

Mansfield Club revs up tornado relief

After a tornado touched down in Mansfield in April, leaving several homes and businesses damaged, the small town was left to pick up the pieces. On Saturday, the community gathered to continue doing just that as the Mansfield Women's Club hosted an Open Car Show and Chili Cook-off to raise money for the victims.

Public safety officials plan blood drive

Working as a 911 center dispatcher for nearly six years, Stykes has heard tragedy in the voices of victims of accidents, crimes and fires, and he's done what he could to calm, reassure and aid them. When Stykes and his co-workers heard about the deaths of more than 20 people in the devastating May 31 tornadoes and storms in Oklahoma, they couldn't help directly but decided to host a blood drive to do their part.

Road work projects this week

The following road maintenance and mowing projects are scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 17-20, weather permitting:

Program aids recycling in Covington

The city of Covington and Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful encourage city residents to recycle. The "Streamline" program, which accepts a wide variety of materials and does not require separating, makes curbside recycling easier for city residents.

Lowest gas price - June 14

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.49 at Marathon, located at 12752 US Highway 278 and Ga. Highway 11.

BOC reaches consensus to up millage

County commissioners reached an informal consensus Thursday night to raise the millage rate to 11.59 next year to account for a projected decline in overall property values and spare what they felt were too deep of cuts to the budget.

Church's clothing ministry ready to help

Local ministry Mission 25 is jam-packed with clothes and ready to serve those in need, and its founders and supporters know there's no coincidence it's gotten this far.

FBC of Covington hosts summer events

Jousting, castles and tricksters are usually not thought of while attending Vacation Bible School, but they will all be a part of this year's VBS presentation, " Kingdom Chronicles: Standing Strong in the Batt for Truth," at First Baptist Church of Covington next week. The church plans to act out Bible stories with puppets and actors on its medieval-castle themed stage in the sanctuary, teaching youth about not being fooled by tricksters and believing in ...

Beloved teacher was light for the Lord

You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It's good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people's feet.

Newton High administrators all moved in

Efforts to move an entire high school are continuing as the staff and faculty at Newton High School continue to pack and transfer items from their old school building to the new Newton High that will open in August.

Several road repairs scheduled for summer

Several roads in Newton County will be repaired or resurfaced this summer, and projects on Airport, Crowell, Jack Neely and Mote roads will require the most intense work.

County revenues for 1st quarter appear steady

The Newton County Board of Commissioners had their first quarterly financial review Tuesday and the collection figures were better than last year, but the second quarter will be more telling because that's when the county will begin to collect property taxes.

Phantom Folklore: Souls locked inside the Old Jail

Built in 1901, the old jail was home to many of Newton County's criminals until 1983 - and according to some, one person was even hung there. And although the jail is currently gutted, the ghosts of those who once called the cells home, still wander the crumbling hallways.

Golf tournament to benefit local scholarships, youth endeavors

 Members of the Chase Cain Memorial Foundation again have organized a golf tournament to benefit the foundation's efforts. The tournament is scheduled for Nov. 6 at the Indian Creek Golf Course.

GWA Marching Band wins championship

This past weekend, George Walton Academy's Marching Bulldog Band won first place in the 6 Open Division at the United States Scholastic Band Association Championship held in Chattanooga, Tenn. and finished 1st out of 25 bands from around the Southeast to become the overall Southern States Champion. George Walton Academy is the first private school to win the championship.

Covington attorney assists state bar YLD service project for domestic violence victims

The Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the State Bar of Georgia recently joined with the Savannah Bar Association YLD and the Macon Bar Association YLD to assist the Savannah Area Family Emergency (SAFE) Shelter during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Puppet power

The Covington Elks and Elkadettes applied to Snapping Shoals REA for a grant for $5000 three years ago. Using the funds, they prepared a puppet show for elementary school age children on drug awareness. The first school that saw the productions was East Newton Elementary in the Spring of 2007. This year they will touch the lives of over 6000 elementary children in grades kindergarden through second with their drug awareness puppet show. At the ...

Covington man killed in early-morning motorcycle accident

A Covington man was killed in an early-morning motorcycle and vehicle accident Tuesday in Conyers on the Sigman Road entrance way to Interstate 20.

Waiting in the wake: Newton's leaders hope they'll be ready when housing growth comes back

Ronda Wilkerson doesn't live on the street, but she is homeless. She's lived in five houses over the past couple of months, wandering from friend to family member and back. She never stays anywhere more than a couple of weeks for fear of being a burden.

Making miracles

The Covington Popeye's and 755 Restaurant Corporation recently made a donation of a Hank Aaron-autographed baseball and bat to The Miracle League of Newton County. Receiving the donations were Tamara Richardson, consultant to the Miracle League, Diana and Amelia Joseph, and Susan Eppley, marketing representative with Popeye's. The Miracle League Field will be built at City Pond Park and will serve mentally and physically challenged children because "every child deserves the chance ...

KCNB’s Green Getaway

 The Green Getaway, an evening of dining and entertainment scheduled for Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, will benefit the educational programs and beautification efforts of Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful (KCNB).

Magnificent mutts

Most Beautiful Female First place - Miss Maggie - owner Bobbie Banks Second place - Izzy - owners Kaylah and Haley Ellis and Payton Street Third place - Pookie - owner Shannon Forrester Most Handsome First place - McCartney - owner Bronwyn Jennings Second place - Barnabas - owner Larry Kennon Third place - Buddy - owner Beau Bird <font ...

Flood Public Meeting

st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } Newton County will hold a Public Meeting to discuss flood related issues at 6:30 p.m. at Turner Lake Park, located at 6185 Turner Lake Road.

Riner pleads guilty to selling unregistered securities

Residents question council candidates

Around 30 Covington city council residents showed up to Tuesday's political forum to ask the city council candidates about public transportation for seniors, public safety, parks and activities for teens and the future of the city.

Juvenile fight leads to one father’s arrest

A fight between juveniles ended with a father's arrested after deputies with the Newton County Sheriff's Office found marijuana in his vehicle.