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.

Drunk driver flees, says he has to 'go poop'

A 50-year-old man was arrested March 4 after he reportedly told officers he ran from them because he had to "go poop." Officers from the Covington Police Department were on patrol late Wednesday evening when they got behind a white Ford F-150 on U.S. Highway 278 and Emory Street. The officers noticed the driver of the vehicle crossing the center lane on several occasions and driving erratically.

Cable employee imposter scams family

 A woman on Emerson Trail reported that a woman from Charter Cable had arrived at her home Saturday and picked up cable boxes and a modem from her children, but when she called the company, she found out that Charter did not have a person by that name working for them.

Metropolitan Design Studio students to show final presentations

 The UGA Metropolitan Design Studio is in the final stages of its Covington/Newton County Government District Plan and will make its final public presentation at 4 p.m. March 16 at The Center for Community Planning and Preservation on Washington Street.

2 women arrested for brawl

 Two women were arrested Friday afternoon after a fight over a man escalated into violence on Holmes Court.

Libraries feel the squeeze

Libraries have been more than just a place to borrow books for quite some time. For many in the community, the library fills a role that other institutions no longer provide: educational resources and programs for children, free books, DVDs, and CDs for entertainment, a place for meetings and exams, and a place to study.

Garden girl

Top honors: Katherine Haase, student at Social Circle Christian School, recently won the Youth Award at the Garden Club of Georgia State Flower Show held last month in Thomasville. Katherine's entry was one of several from Social Circle, where Gateways Garden Club Sponsors both a junior and youth club. She is the daughter of Tim and Tamara Haase of Mansfield.

Naked woman threatens to kill officers

A call for help to the Covington Police ended in a woman being arrested after she threatened to kill officers early Thursday morning. Officers were called to a home on Johnson Drive, and as they pulled up, they noticed a man and woman struggling in a upstairs bedroom through the open window.

SIU nets 3 in separate drug busts

Newton County Special Investigation Unit conducted three major busts in February, removing marijuana and cocaine dealers off the streets of Newton County. On Feb. 11, investigators from the SIU arrested 42-year-old Tommy Lee Smith, known around Newborn as Superman. After requests from several of the Newton County Commissioners, who had received complaints from their constituents of drug activity in the area, investigators began looking closely at Smith, who lives in the area of The Settlement ...

911 center call volume up

Newton County has continued to experience growth, but the amount of calls for assistance to Covington/Newton County 911 went up only slightly in 2008 according to numbers released in their annual report. Calls for service passed the 100,000 mark but calls for assistance increased by only .55 percent in 2008. The total calls generated by Covington Police were 27,209, Georgia State Patrol generated 93, Animal Control generated 899, Newton County Sheriff's Office generated 58,077, Oxford ...

BOC will not help fund July fireworks

Newton County will not provide funding for the Covington July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza. On Tuesday the Board of Commissioners voted not to fund their $3,790 portion of the annual display in a 3-2 decision, with Commissioners Earnest Simmons and J.C. Henderson voting to fund the display. Henderson said the fireworks display was an important community event that should be funded.

Economic Development Strategy unveiled this week

Leadership Collaborative officials presented their Economic Development Strategy for Newton County to the media Wednesday. The strategy was written because collaborative officials think that Newton County is at an important crossroad in its development. "We need to focus on economic development," County Chairman Kathy Morgan said. "Where are we now? Where do we want to be in 2020? In 2050?"

Senate targets tax delinquents

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia Senate leaders are pushing a change that would allow the chamber to sanction or oust legislators who haven't paid their taxes. It comes as a Department of Revenue report revealed that 22 lawmakers are delinquent on their tax bills, some owing taxes that date as far back as 2002. That's roughly 10 percent of Georgia's 236 state lawmakers.

NCSO helps nab internet predator in Alaska

An Alaskan man was arrested on various sexual charges after reportedly chatting with a Newton County Sheriff's Office investigator that he believed was a 13-year-old girl.

Former county chairman, state legislator, businessman passes away

Most of those who had come to call Jack Hays Morgan Sr. a friend met him through business, politics, church or through the many acts of kindness he humbly performed throughout his life.

Little Mr. and Miss Newton County

Bright smiles: The winners of the 2009 Mr. and Miss Newton County are Austin Wilson, 5, (left) son of Billy Wilson and the late Alisha Rowe, and Cali Smith, 5, daughter of Cindy and David Smith. Super dancer: Antonio Shy Jr., 4, ...