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.

Summer well spent

Isaiah Spence has spent the past several weeks working with Sandy Fowler, Porterdale's downtown manager, to organize events like the city's Fourth of July Celebration; and the 18-year-old student enjoyed the experience so much he's thinking about going into event planning instead of studying business administration when he attends DeKalb Technical College this fall.

Minor to be tried as adult

A juvenile who has been charged in the murder of landscaper Timothy Clements will be tried as an adult, according to District Attorney Ken Wynne.

Mr. President

Top Elk: Covington's own Larry Capes was recently elected and installed as State President of the Georgia Elks Association. Capes, who is a longtime member of local Elks Lodge No. 1806, was elected at the recent state convention held at Jekyll Island on June 4-7. Capes was the second Covington Elk to be chosen to lead the Georgia Elks Association. Capes is shown above with his wife, Adrian, after his installation as President.

Legion inducts officers

Officers of the American Legion: American Legion Post 32 and Auxiliary Unit 32 held their installation of new officers on July 9 at the Legion Hall in Covington.

'Diaries' holds open casting call

Covington's newest TV show, "Vampire Diaries" is having an open casting call for paid, non-speaking extras on Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express at 9159 Access Road.

Furnad to leave zoning and planning commission

Former CNN News Producer Bob Furnad is returning to the world of broadcast news once again, joining the University of Georgia's faculty for a second stint.

Students compete for natural resources scholarships

The 48th annual Natural Resources Conservation Workshop was held June 7-11 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton. The workshop has graduated approximately 11,519 participants over the years and this year hosted 109 Georgia high school students including 10 students from the U.S. Virgin Islands along with two chaperones.

BEAT the Summer heat

The Mall at Stonecrest and 95.5 The BEAT will celebrate the return to back to school with their third annual "Meet the BEAT," a live concert event featuring the New Bad Boy of R&B, Pleasure P ("Boyfriend #2," "Under") J. Holiday ("It's Yours"), Atlanta hometown favorite F.L.Y.("Swag Surfin"), Dear Jayne ("Fall Back," "Rain") and a fun kid's activity area on Saturday, July 25, from noon to 3 p.m. on the Plaza. ...

Two arrests made in Banks murder

Two men have been arrested and charged with the June shooting death of 34-year-old Calvin Kentrell Banks.

State unemployment reaches 10.1 percent

The unemployment rate for the state of Georgia has reached 10.1 percent, the highest the rate has been since the Great Depression.

Police seeking aid in robbery spree

Law enforcement officials are asking for the public's help in identifying a robbery suspect who they believed may be responsible for at least three recent armed robberies in Newton and Rockdale counties. According to Covington Police Detective Daniel Seals, just after 6 a.m. on July 4 the Holiday Inn Express was robbed by a black male with a blued pump shotgun with a short or pistol grip wood stock. The man came into the business ...

Keeping the beat

Jonah Meredith and his band Asmodeus will be performing at The Battle of the Bands competition at Rockdale Baptist Church, 1295 Smyrna Road, Conyers, today, July 10.

Breast cancer survivor runs for her life

Covington resident Joan LeJeune ran her first 10K race this Saturday in Atlanta's globally renowned AJC Peachtree Road Race. "I have run in several 5K races, but never anything like this one," says Joan.

More motions heard in Lakemper case

Several motions were heard Thursday morning in the death penalty case against Cobey Wade Lakemper, who stands accused of killing hotel clerk Wendy Carter in 2005.

A highway named in their honor

Jack Hays Morgan Sr. and Davis Morgan left their marks on Newton County through their years of leadership, and on Wednesday one final lasting mark was left in their honor.