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.

Good Eggs

Allen Memorial United Methodist Church More than 70 children combed long grass and thick leaves in search of 650 hidden Easter eggs at Saturday's hunt at Allen Memorial United Methodist Church in Oxford. Dwayne and Missy Gilmore, directors of the youth group at the church, organized the event with the help of their youth group members. There were two separate Easter egg hunts, one for children aged five and younger and one for those ages ...

Crime Briefs

A deputy from the Newton County Sheriff's Department arrested a local man after he reportedly copped an attitude and refused to cooperate when officers pulled him over for driving on the wrong side of the road.

Tornado watch issued for Newton until 10 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for our area until 10 p.m. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes.

Gresham turns himself in, bonds out

Newton County resident Don Gresham, recently indicted by a Newton County grand jury for lying about his past as a convicted sex offender in an unsuccessful bid for the District 2 seat on the Newton County Board of Education, turned himself into to authorities Thursday and immediately bonded out on a $5,000 bond. Gresham was charged with one felony count of false swearing and one felony count of false statement in filing a notice ...

Grant to help teach troubled students

The Newton County Juvenile Court received approval from the Board of Commissioners to apply for a grant to fund a day-time educational program to watch over, teach and help reform suspended students.

Youth arrested in armed robbery attempt

Officers from the Covington Police Department arrested 18-year-old Ulysses Tyrel Benton of Oxford after he allegedly attempted an armed robbery of a home on Geiger Street Sunday night.

Remembering the Black Easter March

Black Easter will be commemorated at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Covington square, as city and county leaders remember the 5,000 black men and women who marched in protest of racial segregation in Newton County in 1970.

Two roads named after Newton residents

Three Newton County residents - Jack Hays Morgan, Davis Morgan and Lamar B. Hays - were honored during the recently completed 2009 Georgia legislative session by having two roads named in their honor.

Pet of the Week

Puppy eyes: The Newton County Animal Shelter's pet of the week is a 10-12-month-old Chihuahua, beige. Also available for adoption are two terrier mix puppies, 7-weeks-old, black and white; a great Pyraneese, adult, white; a friendly collie mix, 3-4-months-old, red; a brown and black shepherd mix, 4-months-old, with John Deere Collar; a black and white Lab mix; a 9-month-old blue tick hound, gray merle with brown; ...

Suspect arrested after local man shot in both of his legs

The man who deputies say shot a local man in both legs on March 29 has been arrested and charged with a myriad of things, including armed robbery.

Phone cards for soldiers

Calling home: Sgt. Campbell (left) and Cpl. Wilks (right), at the Covington National Guard Armory, display some of the 238 phone cards presented by Benny Stephenson (center) thanks to the efforts of the American Legion Post 77's Honor Guard. The cards will be used by the unit when serving in Afghanistan.

The Rockdale News hits the stands

Charles Hill Morris Jr., the publisher of 144-year-old Covington News, recently announced the creation of a new publication for Conyers and Rockdale County. The new weekly newspaper will be called The Rockdale News and will feature local news and sports coverage of Rockdale County. The first edition was published Saturday, April 4.

Military briefs 4/08/09

James Almand Private First Class James Dylan Almand, 22, of Covington, graduated from United States Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on March 27. PFC Almand successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training at MCRD Parris Island as one of 72 recruits in Training Platoon 1016. While in basic training PFC Almand was meritoriously promoted. Following ten days home leave he will report to Camp Lejeune for one month ...

Hospital Spring Gala on April 25

Newton Medical Center will hold it's Annual Spring Gala on April 25. Hosted by Linda and Reginald McFarland of Social Circle, the event promises to be an elegant and entertaining night to remember. The Gala is the Hospital Auxiliary's signature fund-raising event of the year, raising thousands of dollars over the years for the purchase of medical equipment. This year, the Auxiliary will raise money for the new neonatal intensive care unit. Tickets are $90 per person.

County projects $8.6 mill. deficit

The Newton County Board of Commissioners got their first look at the preliminary budget for fiscal year 2010, and the sight wasn't pretty. The county is projecting an $8.6 million deficit.