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.

JAKES Day brings outdoor activities

Put down the remote, power down the iPad, and get the whole family outdoors this weekend as the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center presents JAKES Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday at the center's Discovery Area.

Brown Bridge Road blocked for accident

Brown Bridge Road, at Fieldstone Lane, is blocked off from both directions because of an accident, and drivers should seek an alternate route, according to the Covington-Newton County 911 Center.

Theme school CCRPI scores released

The Newton County School System has released the College and Career Readiness Performance Index score – the state's new accountability system – for the middle school grades at the Newton County Theme School at Ficquett, after an oversight left the school off the initial report.

BOE to vote on new superintendent

The Newton County Board of Education is expected to choose a new superintendent next week and will also vote on a new director of research, testing and evaluation.

Lowest gas price - May 9

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.37 at Shell, located at 14656 Brown Bridge Road and Magnet Road.

Lowest gas price - May 8

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.41 at Kroger, located at 3700 Salem Road near Kirkland Road.

Mental Health Month community events

In observance of Mental Health Month, View Point Health's New Rock Day Services Program, at 101 Kirkland Road, Covington, plans the following outreach events:

Chattahoochee event kicks off series

Georgia River Network is continuing its Unveiling Paddling Series this year with four different opportunities for residents to rediscover some hidden gems among Georgia's waterways.

Make-A-Wish seeks airline miles

In celebration of the 33rd anniversary of the first wish ever granted by Make-A-Wish, Make-A-Wish Georgia granted 44 wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses throughout April.

Animal control donates to NCSO

The Newton County Humane Society donated a check to the Newton County Sheriff's Office to help with the purchase of a vest for one of the four K-9 officers at the NCSO.

Newton County man charged in Atlanta vehicular homicide

A Newton County man has been charged with vehicular homicide after striking and killing a 6-year-old girl as she was stepping off a MARTA bus Tuesday.

Puffins are cool, but peaches are cooler

I have had the incredible opportunity to explore the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, Can., this week on vacation.

Judge Ozburn not appointed to Georgia Supreme Court

Update, Wednesday 3:29 p.m. Alcovy Superior Court Judge Samuel Ozburn is disappointed about not being named the next Georgia Supreme Court justice, but he said he was honored to be considered and is happy to be in Newton County. "I enjoyed the process. It was very interesting and very gratifying and I know that I was and am supported by so many people. I was very humbled. Yes, I would have liked ...

Open communication

Once again, the makers of Newton County's 911 radio system came before the Board of Commissioners, and once again they said the problems will be solved soon.

Never make the same mistake twice

Outrageous, captivating, and unafraid to tell it like it is, Nene Leakes shares her wild journey from a scandalous past to the pinnacle of reality television stardom in her new book Never Make the Same Mistake Twice. The Atlanta Housewives star will appear at the Mall at Stonecrest on Thursday, Aug. 13, to sign her new book at Borders Books and Music at 7 p.m. Fans are invited to meet Nene Leakes ...

Merryvale to host screening of ‘The Alzheimer’s Project’

 Merryvale Assisted Living will host a special screening event and discussion of HBO's "The Alzheimer's Project" as part of a local discussion to encourage individuals to learn more about the disease and the research being done, as well as to gain a greater understanding of the issues surrounding it.

National champions

Straight shooting: The Lake Oconee Shotgun Team (L.O.S.T.) traveled to the World Shooting and Recreation Complex in Sparta, Ill., July 23-26 to compete in the Scholastic Clay Target Program's (SCTP) National Championships. L.O.S.T. represented Georgia well by finishing strong in several age groups: The Rookie Squad (5th-6th graders) as well as the Senior Varsity Squad finished second in the nation in their respective divisions in Sporting Clays. The Junior Varsity Squad, pictured ...

Property taxes raised by glitch

Covington, Newton County and the county's school system are going to be collecting a combined $3 million less in property taxes than they originally expected, exacerbating the NCSS' budget crunch and bringing the county's budget woes back to the forefront.

Awarded for service

Proud service: Greg Ceaser Jr. (center), recently received an Army Achievement Medal for his work in Iraq. Greg Ceaser Sr., is the Director of Environmental Services at Newton Medical Center.

Rotary inducts Paul Harris Fellows, entertains district governor

Rotary District Governor Shane Burr of Canton visited the Covington Rotary Club Tuesday. He spoke about Rotary's priorities for 2009 - water and sanitation, health and hunger, and literacy - as well as participating in the Biggest Loser Polio Plus Challenge. He encouraged club members to attend Georgia Rotary's state convention at Jekyll Island. He also commended the Covington Rotary for inducting 50 Paul Harris Fellows in the past two years. "I want to recognize ...

Two of four charged in June Clements murder denied bond

Two of the four people charged in the killing of Conyers landscaper Timothy Clements were denied bond. Pablo Fernando Maldonado and Katria Luche McClain went before Superior Court Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. earlier this week to request bond. Both have been incarcerated since their arrest in June.

Deputies shot in stand-off

Two Newton County Sheriff's Office deputies remain in stable condition after being shot Monday afternoon.

Man charged with murder after beating victim dies

One man is in jail and three others are being sought after a 21-year-old man succumbed to injuries he allegedly sustained from a beating July 26.

Drunk husband and wife arrested after argument

Two people were arrested early Monday morning after a man called 911, allegedly telling the operator he had stabbed his wife. When deputies from the Newton County Sheriff's Office arrived at the home, they reportedly found a man exiting the residence and walking toward the street. When asked, he allegedly admitted he was the person who had called 911. When asked what happened the man, identified as 31-year-old Regginal W. Julien, reportedly told deputies that ...

Ga. legislators to take one furlough day a month for remainder of 2009

ATLANTA - Starting this month, all 180 State House members and 56 State Senators will take one day of furlough a month for the remaining five months of 2009 in order to cut costs amid the economic recession. With the state budget so tight, other state employees being furloughed and the legislature finding ways to make even further cuts, elected leaders in the state government joined in the effort as well. State Senator John Douglas ...