City may expand fiber network

The city of Covington has saved around $60,000 per year since it began creating its own fiber optic cable network to connect its buildings across the city, and officials hope to be able to offer those kinds of savings to other local government entities and possibly create another revenue stream in the future.

Solar devices will clean water sources

Newton County's two drinking-water reservoirs, Lake Varner and City Pond, are getting a helping hand from the sun in the battle to keep them as healthy and clean as possible.

Illegal street race blamed in wreck

An infant and a Covington teenager were killed Thursday night in a wreck on I-20 that police believe was caused by an illegal car race going awry.

Mom of boys is thinking pink

Kari Apted may have a lot on her plate, but the mother of three, soon to be four, has learned how to balance it all. With three boys, Eli, Zach and Jonah, Apted admits that things can get hectic. But she also says a houseful of boys is always endearing.

Sergeant arrested after single-vehicle crash

A Covington man who was a sergeant with the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office was arrested following an early morning crash on McCalla Road in Rockdale County.

Street race crash kills baby, teen

Two people were killed, including a teenager and infant, and three others injured in a wreck on I-20 in Rockdale County that police believe was caused by illegal street racing.

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.

Town Hall Tues. to discuss ZIP change

As county officials try to rally public support for a ZIP code change to accommodate mega medical industry Baxter International, they're a hoping a town hall will be able to turn the tide.

Shooting laws up for discussion

Discussion has raged in the wake of Sheriff Ezell Brown's proposal to restrict where guns can be fired in Newton County, but Brown emphasized Friday that the proposal is preliminary and that he and the Board of Commissioners are actively seeking input.

Second arrest made in Silos shooting

Investigators have made a second arrest in the Jan. 27 shooting at a birthday party in The Silos subdivision.

The Y prepares for Cheerios Challenge

This is just a friendly reminder about this Saturday's Cheerios Challenge to make sure everyone's ready for the big races. First of all, registration is ongoing and will be open through the morning of the race. Secondly, the events will be held at the Y on Newton Drive with the 10K race starting at 7:30 a.m., the 1-mile Fun Run/Walk following at 9 a.m. and the 5K anchoring the event at 9:30 a.m.

Actress Jasmine Guy to speak at GPC

She's been in Covington recently filming the TV series, "The Vampire Diaries," but actress Jasmine Guy will be speaking about real predators when she comes to Georgia Perimeter College Monday.

Volunteers brave rain to pick up litter

Volunteers endured the rain and gloomy weather in an effort to clean up the county Saturday morning, as Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful hosted the Great American Cleanup campaign, the nation's largest annual community improvement program.

Woman suffers head injuries

A Covington man was arrested for simple battery, after police noticed a woman walking down the street with a lump on her head and a bloody mouth Thursday afternoon.

Hall of Fame coming to Newton County

Ron Bradley, B.C. Crowell, Betty Faith Jaynes, Jake Reed and Dale Carter are just some of the athletes who became big names in the sports world after becoming great in Newton County.

Nonprofit holds Clay Shoot and BBQ

The Georgia Natural Resources Foundation is hosting a Clay Shoot and BBQ Saturday and invites the public to come out and shoot flying targets and enjoy some BBQ this weekend in Social Circle.

Lowest gas price - March 22

The lowest price for regular fuel in Covington is $3.44 at the RaceWay, located at 5148 U.S. Highway 278 NW near Piper Street.

Longtime NCSS administrator resigns

Carl Skinner, director of Research and Testing for the Newton County School System, has announced his resignation and will soon move to Kansas City, Mo., to serve as the deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

BOC pushes ZIP code change for Baxter

Mega medical industry Baxter International wants a Covington address, but that requires 616 residences in eastern Newton County to also have their addresses and ZIP code changed, and the Newton County Board of Commissioners is asking the residents who live in the area to please get on board.

Longtime rec director Hailey to retire

When Tommy Hailey took over the Newton County Recreation Commission in June 1989, the department had six people and was in charge of a handful of parks based out of its office in the Conyers Street gymnasium.

Students break for storm relief

While thousands of college students flooded the Florida beaches for spring break, 27 Oxford College students headed to Seaside Heights, N.J. These students spent their break helping to clean up and rebuild the area after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.

Local Christian youths rally

More than 300 middle school and high school students representing 13 different churches and denominations from the Conyers-Covington area, as well as Stockbridge, came together this past weekend at Heritage Hills Baptist Church in Conyers to, "love Jesus and love each other."