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.

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.

Newton Medical Center annual Spring Gala coming up Saturday

Newton Medical Center's Annual Spring Gala planned for April 25 will be a night to remember. Hosted by Linda and Reginald McFarland of Social Circle, the event promises to be elegant and entertaining.

County to recieve smart growth help

Newton County is receiving help from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) to plan for smart growth and future mixed-use developments along U.S. Highway 278, such as mixed retail-office and retail-residential buildings.

Children of Eden

The Social Circle Theater will present the final showing of their largest production to date, "Children of Eden," a theatrical production from the book of Genesis, April 24 through April 26. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, a sold-out 3 p.m. Saturday matinee and 6 p.m. Sunday.

City and county consider purchasing local Norfolk Southern railroad

The City of Covington and Newton County have been considering purchasing railroad right-of-ways from Norfolk Southern for the past several months. On Tuesday, the city and county held a joint public meeting to enlighten the public and discuss the benefits and risks of possibly purchasing the railroad. The Covington News will have more on this story in Sunday's paper.

Angela Hodges is Conservationist of the Year for Newton County

Angela Hodges was recognized as conservationist of the year April 21 by the Upper Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation District. The award was presented at the district's annual program for the achievements in soil and water conservation on her farm. Hodges was presented with a plaque of recognition by Newton County District Supervisor Larry McSwain. Angela and her husband Bo Thompson operate Anna Beth's Farm named after her niece located on Ga. Highway 229. ...

A long time coming

It's been about 188 years since the Brick Store was first built and quickly became the hub of the community in Newton County. The store still stands on U.S. Highway 278, a tribute to times gone by. But recently Brick Store has received some long overdue credit, after being added to the National Register of Historic Places. After 18 months of hard work, researching ownership and past uses of the former Superior Court of Newton ...

Local groups rally to keep Newton clean

Members of Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful will join volunteers from across the county to collect trash from local roadways and green areas Saturday. "We're participating along with thousands of volunteers throughout the United States in the Great American Cleanup, which is sponsored by Keep America Beautiful," said Connie Waller, executive director of KCNB.

Drowning victim identified

A Conyers woman who fell into the rapid waters at Factory Shoals Park late Monday morning was found dead, a victim of a drowning. According to Newton County Sheriff's Office 1st Lt. Mark Mitchell, a call for help went out at roughly 11 a.m. when a group of the friends that the women, identified as 35-year-old Marie Elaina Carley, was with, called 911 after the she accidentally fell into the water and they were unable to find her.

Rising to the Cheerios Challenge

About 725 runners and walkers were up bright and early Saturday morning for the eighth annual Cheerios Challenge, along with more than 500 onlookers and supporters and 102 volunteers who pitched in to make the event a success.

Newborn town budget finally approved for 2009

The Newborn Town Council finally approved its 2009 calendar year budget after months of discussion and uncertainty. Councilwoman Suzanne Bean said the $297,342.92 budget wasn't passed until March 16 because of council members' differing opinions and uncertainty about how the economy would affect the city's revenue, particularly property taxes.

Police, deputies look for robbery suspects

Both the Covington Police Department and the Newton County Sheriff's Office are seeking the community's help in finding men that they say are responsible for robberies on April 11 and 14.

The power of public service

A visit from the congressman: Congressman Jim Marshall (D-District 8) speaks to ninth through 11th graders on Thursday at Newton High School, while Principal Roderick Sams looks on, about the importance of serving their country through the military and other public agencies.

Local leader, business owner mourned

Prominent Newton County resident Otis Spillers passed away April 14 at the age of 90, but not before he touched many lives in the community he had called home since 1935.

The end of the drought

Newton County is no longer under "drought" conditions, but that doesn't mean the county will no longer have drought restrictions.

A motorcycle ride for Heather

In many ways, Alcovy High School freshman, Heather Munson is like any other 15 year-old teenager. She chats on the cell phone, has a crush on a boyfriend at school, engages in sibling spats with her 12 year-old sister Amber and loves watching American Idol. But for Heather, every day begins and ends with the challenges of coping with cerebral palsy.