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.

Man attacked in home

A local man received a beating after others disagreed with the way he was disciplining his child Monday night.

County breaks with collaborative to save on pest control services

When the Leadership Collaborative first decided to contract out services together, they were hoping that buying in bulk would result in savings for everyone involved. Their trial run with pest control services didn't work out as planned, but still led to savings for most entities, including $8,000 in savings for Newton County. In November, the Newton County Board of Commissioners, the Newton County School System, the Newton County Water and Sewage Authority, the city of ...

Salary cuts loom for county personnel

At a special called meeting Saturday, members of the Newton County Board of Commissioners concluded that, in light of an anticipated $5 to $5.5 million budget shortfall, payroll adjustments would have to be made in order to make up the deficit. "This is very painful," said District 5 Commissioner Tim Fleming, "but these are hard times we're in."

Local awarded for lifetime achievement

During his four decades in broadcast journalism, Bob Furnad worked behind the scenes to cover the world's biggest events. On Tuesday, Furnad's work was brought to the forefront with the Di Gamma Kappa broadcasting society's Distinguished Achievement Award in Broadcasting. Furnad had many successes in his professional career, working 18 years at ABC and more than 17 at CNN. He was senior producer for Good Morning America, CNN's first political director and the president of CNN Headline News. ...

Blue ribbon beauties

Spicing it up: Newton County High School FFA Show Team member Jacquelyn Leissa, a junior, smiles with joy moments after the announcment that she and her heifer named Cinnamon were the winners of Cattle Showmanship category at the 2009 Newton County Classic Livestock Show Saturday on the campus of Newton High School. About 40 competitors from the Eastside High School, Alcovy High School and Newton High ...

Doing the Healthy Hearts Dance

Happy feet: South Salem Pre-K student Jonathan Morris, left, dances with Physical Education Teacher Scott Sloop during the Healthy Hearts Dance.  The two classes of Pre-K students studied a unit on good nutrition and learned how exercise helps to keep them healthy. The Healthy Hearts Dance was planned close to Valentine's Day and included 40 Pre-K students dancing for ...

Cousins High Students March

Editor's note: This article was published in the March 5, 1970 edition of The Covington News. Negro students from R. L. Cousins High School Marched from their school into Covington, around the square several times and on to the office of the Board of Education Friday morning in protest of the "7-5 Integration Plan" adopted by the Board and the proposed changing of the name of their school. The students, some 500 strong, were ...

Stepping Forward

As a student leader of the Covington civil rights movement, who once spent 45 days in jail for protesting segregation, watching President Barack Obama take the oath of office at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. was a seminal experience for Forrest Sawyer Jr.

Street closing

Street construction Hunter Avenue will be temporarily converted to a one-way southbound street between Stallings and Usher Streets on Monday, because of construction at the Newton County Judicial Center. The county is constructing a separate, fenced parking lot for judges' vehicles to prevent vandalism, County Engineer Kevin Walter said. The north side driveway of the center will be temporarily blocked, preventing access to ...

FBI agents serve search warrants at Angel Food Ministries

The Federal Bureau of Investigations served search warrants at Monroe-based Angel Food Ministries Wednesday morning. Agents served the search warrant around 9 a.m. regarding "an individual or individuals" and not the operation, according to Juda Engelmayer, senior vice president of communications. He said that Angel Food was cooperating with agents and had a "negotiated agreement" where the agents copied electronic data and records.

Tornado watch issued for metro Atlanta area

National weather service Peachtree City, Ga. issued a tornado watch for portions of northwest Georgia until 6 p.m. and a severe thunderstorm watch for portions of north Georgia until 10 p.m. There is a wind advisory for north Georgia and central Georgia through tonight.

Rotary, Kiwanis team up for Miracle Field fundraising efforts

Community leaders met Tuesday at the Newton County Recreation Center to discuss the ongoing process of bringing a Miracle League baseball field to the county. Doug Bolton, president of the Rotary Club of Covington pledged his support of the program and announced the Rotary Club will be the financial vehicle through which the funding and donations for the park will flow.

Speeder cools heels in jail

A woman was arrested Saturday after officers from the Covington Police Department reportedly clocked her driving approximately 95 miles per hour on Interstate 20.

Armed robbers assault grandmother

 A grandmother and her 3-year-old granddaughter were victims of a home invasion late Sunday night when the door to their residence was kicked in by several masked men.

Grants awarded to local nonprofits

 In its 10th year of charitable grant giving, The Community Foundation for Newton County awarded $24,200 to 19 separate nonprofits serving Newton County.