Main Str not ready to OK mayor's idea

The board of directors of the Main Street Covington program expressed displeasure at being kept out of the loop, and its members are not yet ready to OK a proposal to move the program, which is responsible for downtown development and marketing, under the local Chamber of Commerce.

Social Circle native makes music run

Taylor Marie steps out of her makeshift performance space in the corner of The Village Grille's main dining room, where she has just finished her second set, alongside lead guitarist Ryan Shafer.

Severe thunderstorm warning until 1 a.m.

Update, 9:44 p.m.: Newton County Fire Chief Kevin O'Brien said he has not heard of any significant damage in Newton County but did hear about a small fire resulting from lightning striking a shed off Benton Road.

Boy Scout troop honors tattered flag

The Troop 151 Boy Scouts, which meets at and is chartered by Salem United Methodist Church in Covington, lowered the tattered American Flag on May 11 at the Kroger's grocery on Brown Bridge Road and Ga. Highway 212.

People news: Sorority holds tea

The Chi Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., which serves Newton and Rockdale counties, held a tea party and celebration recently for its Emerging Young Leaders program graduates.

Hard Labor Creek Park offers programs

The following programs are scheduled at Hard Labor Creek State Park:

Lowest gas price - June 13

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.43 at Quick Spot, located at 10260 Ga. Highway 36 and Eagle Drive.

Lowest gas price - June 12

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.45 at Shell, located at 10700 Covington Road and Flat Shoals Road.

Commissioners OK Rx discount card

Residents without health insurance or those whose insurance doesn't cover certain prescriptions will now have access to a free discount prescription card that can be used at several area pharmacies.

Public weighs in on county budget

Chairman Keith Ellis asked for public feedback as officials seek ways to balance next year's budget, and residents responded, calling and stopping by his office Monday asking questions and offering their perspectives.

Local pantry needs food donations

School is out for summer in Newton County, and a number of families are loading up their vehicles with packed bags and children to head off on family vacations and road adventures.

Chick-fil-A makes additions

Chick-fil-A's Covington location is adding a second drive-thru ordering speaker in an effort to help customer traffic flow more smoothly and is adding an outdoor patio.

Gallery offers Arty Art Camp and other programs

Students expressed their creativity on canvas, crafting robots with watercolors and other knick-knacks Monday at Arty Art Camp, hosted by the Southern Heartland Art Gallery.

Sweet SCOOPS chocolate camp

Children experienced chocolate, candy and cheer at SCOOPS Tuesday as they attended "Chocolate Camp," creating chocolate-covered sweets and goodies at the ice cream parlor.

‘Punchy’ pilot made Germans pay

If necessary, a flight surgeon was authorized to give the pilots pep pills to keep them flying. More than 1,000 fighter aircraft would create a wall of protection from treetop level to 30,000 feet. The men on the beaches were to be protected at all costs. The date was June 6, 1944, the Allied invasion of Europe.

Newton Fund now accepting nominations for Pat Patrick Big Heart Award

The Newton Fund, a local fund of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, is now accepting nominations for the Pat Patrick Big Heart Award. In just its second year, this award is given to a special individual who has made a measurable difference in Newton County through his or her volunteerism. The award is named in honor of Pat Patrick, the founding chair of the Newton Fund, who has given and continues to give unselfish ...

Man asks for change then snatches cash

A man answered his door early Thursday morning and reportedly had money snatched from his hand when he attempted to give the man at his door some change.

True Blood star Mehcad Brooks to appear at The Mall At Stonecrest

City to receive stimulus money for Turner Lake roundabout

The city of Covington got some good news last week when the Georgia Department of Transportation decided that stimulus money would pay for all $900,000 of the city's planned roundabout at the intersection of Turner Lake Road and Clark Street.

2009 Fuzz Run Results

Place. Name, Hometown, Age, Time 1. KIRCHIRCHIR KIMITEI, KENNESAW, 27, 14:40 2. SAMMY NYAMONGO, ATLANTA, 33, 15:49 3. WILLIAM MOSS, MARIETTA, 27, 16:14 4. JANET CHEROBON, RONIE, 31, 16:41 5. JENNIFER FEENSTRA, DULUTH, 28, 17:12 6. JEFF DUNDES, CONYERS, 50, 17:55 7. DONTAVIUS WRIGHT, CONYERS, 15, 18:24 8. CHRIS CLYDE, RUTLEDGE, 18, 18:38.6 9. CLARK WALKER, HARDWICK, 51, 18:40 10. JOSH BYRD, COVINGTON, 22, 18:50 11. JOSH MUNGER, CONYERS,18, 19:04 12. KYLE YEOMANS, COVINGTON, 15, ...

Local physician appointed to governor’s health council

Dr. Henry Patton, an internal medicine specialist on staff at Newton Medical Center, has been appointed to The Advisory Council for Public Health according to a recent announcement made by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Kill-a-Watt Challenge

The Governor's Energy Challenge has partnered with Georgia Public Library Services to offer Georgia residents an opportunity to measure the energy consumption of appliances throughout their home and to take steps to reduce their electricity consumption and lower their utility bills.

Keep on inVESTing

Continuing generosity: Covington Kiwanis Club Treasurer Don Floyd presented a check on behalf of the Kiwanis Club to Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown to cover the cost of a level III bulletproof vest for a county deputy. "This special unbudgeted donation is a recognition by the membership of the importance of the InVEST project to the NCSO and the community" said club President Bill Loeble.

Women charged with forgery after trying to fill fradulent prescriptions

Two women were arrested Friday afternoon when they allegedly tried to forge a prescription for Oxycontin.

Newton’s JROTC earns 8th Naval Honor Unit distinction

For the eighth consecutive year, the Newton High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC program has earned national distinction as a Naval Honor Unit. This award places Newton High in the top 20 percent of the 225 MCJROTC programs in the nation.

Newborn mayoral race heats up with 3 candidates in mix

The Newborn mayoral race will be one of the most contested in the county, as three candidates vie for the top position in the small town of Newborn. Eight-year incumbent J.W. Cummings, long-time council member James King and world-travelled engineer Roger Sheridan are all running in the Nov. 3 election.

Hundreds turn out for the annual Fuzz Run

Runners began their 5K trek at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Kirchirchir Kimitei, 27, of Kennesaw crossed the finish line as the overall winner with a time of 14:40. Other top winners are grand master male (50+) Clark Walker, left, 51 of Hardwick, 18:39; master male (40+) Jeffrey Dundes of Conyers, 17:56; overall female Janet Cherobon, 31, of Rome, 16:40, master female (40+) Joan Walls, 51, 21:29; and grand master (50+) female Monika McCool, 62, of Athens, ...

Covington now a certified literate community

Local organizations have helped more than 6,262 Newton County adults improve their reading skills over the past eight years, and as a result, Newton County was named a Certified Literate Community by the Technical College System of Georgia. The ceremony took place at Saturday's annual Literacy Festival, where Mayor Kim Carter also declared September to be Family Literacy month in Newton County.

Boothby to resign as Chamber president

John Boothby announced today that he is resigning as president of the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce, effective on Tuesday. Boothby, who has been Chamber president for more than three years, said he has enjoyed his time in Newton County, but was looking forward to pursuing some new opportunities.

DeKalb Tech to train new firefighters

DeKalb Technical College is preparing to launch its Fire Academy in October at its Alcovy Road Campus, in an effort to produce trained firefighters, while saving local fire departments money.