Solar devices will clean water sources

Newton County's two drinking-water reservoirs, Lake Varner and City Pond, are getting a helping hand from the sun in the battle to keep them as healthy and clean as possible.

Illegal street race blamed in wreck

An infant and a Covington teenager were killed Thursday night in a wreck on I-20 that police believe was caused by an illegal car race going awry.

Mom of boys is thinking pink

Kari Apted may have a lot on her plate, but the mother of three, soon to be four, has learned how to balance it all. With three boys, Eli, Zach and Jonah, Apted admits that things can get hectic. But she also says a houseful of boys is always endearing.

Sergeant arrested after single-vehicle crash

A Covington man who was a sergeant with the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office was arrested following an early morning crash on McCalla Road in Rockdale County.

Street race crash kills baby, teen

Two people were killed, including a teenager and infant, and three others injured in a wreck on I-20 in Rockdale County that police believe was caused by illegal street racing.

Lowest gas price - May 10

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.49 at BP, located at 6229 Turner Lake Road and Brown Bridge Road.

Tea party delight for Mother's Day

If you're looking for a way to delight your mom for Mother's Day, the Phoenix Pass nonprofit for homeless women and children is offering a unique opportunity designed to make her feel like a queen.

Thief steals church’s history

Luther Hays Presbyterian Church had its history stolen recently, and the church's members are pleading for its safe return.

Mystic Grill plans move forward

Creating the real Mystic Grill restaurant - named after the popular restaurant from the TV series "The Vampire Diaries" - won't be cheap at a cost of $2.27 million, but the owners are hoping to get a low-interest loan from the state to cover at least a fraction of the cost.

Fire leaves family of five homeless

A Wednesday night fire that damaged part of an Oxford duplex and destroyed most of its contents left a family of five homeless, but the Red Cross and the family's home church is rallying to offer support.

Be part of the ‘American Dream’ tonight

Local church collects food to pack pantries

Eastridge Community Church had a mission to pack the food pantries of Newton County, and its members went out and bought enough food to fill 232 boxes.

Newton County Jail Log, May 10

Paul Frazier Allen, 22, 235 Mountainview Drive, Covington, May 2. Hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, possession of firearm or knife while trying to commit crimes, armed robbery, intimidation, taking control of substance.

Synthetic high

A concerned driver called authorities for help Sunday night after seeing a vehicle driving erratically.

Temporary burn ban now in effect

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has imposed an Open Burning Ban for 54 Georgia counties, including Newton County, that will begin May 1 and last through Sept. 30.

Failure to stop leads to arrest for loaded gun

A 22-year-old man was stopped early Monday morning for failing to stop at a stop sign and ended up in jail after deputies located a fully loaded semi-automatic pistol.

Ga. State Patrol warns of summer heat dangers

The Georgia State Patrol is reminding drivers this week that now is the time to make sure your vehicles are ready for the summer driving season. Col. Bill Hitchens, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said that as temperatures rise across the state, Georgia State Troopers see an increase in the number of vehicles with mechanical problems on Georgia roads each year.

Governor’s Office gets grant to help CLASS

The Newton County Juvenile Court received a $75,000 state grant to set up a daytime educational program to help reform suspended students by changing behavior and keeping them out of trouble.

Rotarian of the year

Service recognition: Covington Rotary Club President Doug Bolton, right, presents club member Jim Tudor with the local Rotarian of the Year Award.

Honored for their work

The Covington auxiliary of the local Lodge 1806, the Elkadettes, had the largest group in the state to attend the recent convention of the Elks. The convention was held June 4 through June 7 in Jekyll Island. The auxiliary also won several awards, including being honored for its work with the Conyers Elks-Aidmore Children's Home. Attending the convention and pictured are (front row) Audrey Owens, Anita Denny, Eleanor Haney (back row) Debbie ...

Lovejoy UMC women make caps for chemotherapy patients

The women of Lovejoy United Methodist Church have begun a service project to assist those who have been affected by cancer.

'Be There' program encourages parents to become involved

Parental involvement has always been stressed by the Newton County School System, but board members are looking at a way to encourage parents even more by considering the adoption of a program called "Be There."

Covington passes $120M budget

The City of Covington didn't face a budget crisis like Newton County, but it did share in the new experience of having to significantly cut back expenses after years of burgeoning growth.

Woman arrested for lying about gunpoint robbery

A woman who reported that she had been robbed at gunpoint was later arrested for false statements last Friday.

Fight after fishing lands man in jail

Near midnight on June 20, officers from the Covington Police Department were called to a home on Emory Street in reference to an open line 911 call and ended up arresting a man for battery.

Gresham pleads guilty to giving false statements to BOE

The case against Don Gresham ended Thursday morning in court when he accepted a negotiated guilty plea.

Newton County Jail Log - July 3

o John Kennedy Bell, 22, 75 Shadowbrook Road, Covington, June 19. Driving while license suspended or revoked (first offense), felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, alteration of license plates, improper license plate.

Ozburn one of 9 to reach finals for high court

Alcovy Superior Court Judge Samuel Ozburn is one step closer to becoming a Georgia Supreme Court Justice, after he beat out 29 other candidates to become one of nine finalists. The Governor's Office released its short list Wednesday after the Judicial Nominating Commission finished interviewing the original 38 finalists.

Residents help homeless in D.C.

Members of Rainbow Covenant Church and Ministries decided that helping the homeless in Newton County wasn't enough, so they traveled to Washington, D.C., to help the homeless there.

Barnes dies in prison

Lanny Perry Barnes, the man convicted of killing 2-year-old Avery Nicole King in 2006, died June 24 at Augusta State Medical Prison - nearly three years to the day when the attack on the Casola and King families took place outside the McDonald's restaurant on U.S, Highway 278.