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.

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.

Police officer shoots suspect

A man was shot and killed last night after opening fire on an officer from the Covington Police Department and a trooper from Georgia State Patrol on Interstate 20.

Speeding suspect shot and killed by CPD officer

Interstate 20 opened around 5 a.m. this morning following an investigation of the scene where a firefight broke out on the interstate, and the suspect was shot and killed by a Covington Police officer.

Newton County exhausts initial supply of H1N1 vaccine

Newton County has exhausted its initial supply of H1N1 nasal spray vaccine, but health officials said additional vaccine shipments will be slowly arriving over the next few weeks.

Two men caught after burglarizing water authority

On Thursday Oct. 15, the Newton County Water Authority contacted the Newton County Sheriff's Office because of multiple burglaries they had been having at their facility on Brown Bridge Road. Through a collaborative effort between the Water Authority and NCSO, deputies were able to apprehend two individuals who were illegally on the property of the Water Authority facility at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 15. Christopher Brewer, age ...

NCSO Traffic Unit provides free driving safety class for parents and teens

Changes in Joshua's Law for teen drivers put parents squarely in the passenger's seat. It requires that anyone who applies for a permanent driver's license must have a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult sign a verification form affirming that the candidate has completed 40 hours (with six hours at night) of supervised driving experience, if the candidate has successfully completed an approved driver education course. Most parents don't feel prepared, ...

Pizza delivery driver robbed at gunpoint

Newton County Sheriff Deputy Priscilla Tyree responded to a robbery call Monday night in The Enclave subdivision.

Woman knew burglar who broke into home

A Covington woman had her home broken into by two men on Oct. 16.

Newborn Council Briefs

 Newborn City Council held a meeting on Oct. 5.

NMC’s Wound Care Center receives 2 state-of-the-art hyperbaric chambers

 A large 18-wheeler truck will pull up to The BirthCare Center entrance at Newton Medical Center on Oct. 15 loaded with two new Sechrist hyperbaric oxygen chambers.

A tasty donation

Pasta for police: Covington Elks Lodge No. 1806 recently sponsored a Spaghetti Dinner to raise funds to purchase much-needed Level III bullet-proof vests for the Newton County Sheriff's Department. Shown left to right are Captain Doug Kitchens, Elks State President Larry Capes, Exalted Ruler Butch Woodruff and Sheriff Ezell Brown. To donate contact the NCSO at (678) 625-1400.

Man sentenced to life for murder of his girlfriend

Harristown to get senior living facility

 The Harristown Neighborhood will be getting a $9 million affordable senior housing facility in late 2010 or early 2011.

Walton County Sheriff's Office employee dies at DeKalb Tech

A Walton County Sheriff's employee died Friday during training at the DeKalb Technical College's law enforcement academy.

Breedlove found guilty on all charges

A jury found Rick Ray Breedlove guilty of murder in the 2007 death of his then-girlfriend Pamela Spencer. Judge John Ott sentenced him to life in prison plus five years on the charges of malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Vioces from the past

On a damp, dreary mid October evening, visitors to the Historic Covington Cemetery were treated to more than tombstones and flowers. At nine selected graves around the cemetery, voices from the past told the story of each site's occupant. From preachers to gypsies, they told a variety of stories that all ended in death.