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.

Drunk driver arrested after swerving on I-20

A startled driver contacted authorities in the early morning hours after nearly being struck by a Monte Carlo while traveling east on Interstate 20.

Man threatens his wife with a chair

 Deputies from the Newton County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence on Heaton Place Trail in response to a family fight and arrested a man for reportedly threatening his family with a chair.

Covington Police captain studies counterterrorism abroad in Israel

Captain Julian K. Malcolm Jr. of the Covington Police Department just returned from Israel for a two-week training program to study counterterrorism, emergency management, and other types of policing strategies from Israeli police.

Buy local: Atlanta East Aviation

Atlanta East Aviation provides a great place to spend a day of fun for interested amateurs and casual sightseers, as well as experienced pilots. Anyone can come to Covington Municipal Airport and enjoy a scenic flyover of Newton County or get behind the controls and fly a plane themselves.

Childcare businesses and owners honored in Athens

Two Newton County child care professionals and businesses were honored at the annual Child Care Provider Appreciation Luncheon at Trumps in Athens on Saturday May 16.

Rotary honors heroes

More than just putting out fires: Covington Rotary Club President Doug Bolton, left, honors Covington Fire Department Capt. Tony Smith as the club's public safety employee of the year along with CFD Chief Don Floyd and committee chair and Covington Police Chief Stacey Cotton. The other nominees for the honor were Susan Monroe of the 911 call center, Newton County Fire Battalion Chief Brian Masey and Deputy Investigator Jason Griffin of the Newton County Sheriff's ...

The gift of green

Planting joy: The Satusuki Garden Club kicked off National Garden Club Week, June 7 - 13, with a donation to the Newton County Library and placed a pot of flowers along with a proclamation in the garden area of the library for all to enjoy. Pictured are Satsuki Garden Club President Mary Mansker, Secretary Debbie Massey, Stevin Herald and Bob Halcums from the library, Treasurer Virginia Ann Hoffman, First Vice President Christy Lassiter and Second ...

Singin’ in the square

This summer, Main Street Covington and the Arts Association are proud to present these local bands for the Friday Summer Concert Series on the square. All concerts begin at 7 p.m.

NMC nurses recognized for excellence in their work

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and AJCJobs honored Georgia's nurses during National Nurses' Week, May 6 - 12, 2009 with their fourth annual Nursing Excellence Awards program.

Delicate petals

Gene Gadilhe of Oxford gets excited about "spikes." No, not the shiny metal kind - the light green nubs on his orchids indicating they will bloom.

Shelter up and running

The Covington homeless shelter at Turner Lake Circle is filled with residents and up and running.

Airport to close for repairs

The Covington Municipal Airport will close for two months, beginning in late July or early August, when the city begins rehabilitation of the 4,200 feet of older runway.

Woman plays victim — arrested as aggressor

A woman crying in the street was arrested after officers learned that instead of being the victim of assault, she had been the aggressor in a domestic dispute involving pepper spray and a handgun.

Thunder storms and hail expected

SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR PEA SIZED HAIL AND 40 MPH WINDS IN NEWTON AND WALTON COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM EDT... AT 440 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER ALMON...AND MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. WIND GUSTS OF 40 MPH...SMALL HAIL AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING ARE LIKELY AS THIS STORM MOVES ACROSS NEWTON AND WALTON COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THE STORM INCLUDE GUM CREEK... ALMON...PORTERDALE...OXFORD...COVINGTON...JERSEY...STARRSVILLE...

Bard donates to Rotary

Generosity: Rebecca Harris (right center), an employee of Bard Urological donates a $3,000 check to the Rotary Club. The check was received by Rotarian Johnny Smith (right). Gay Clark and Valerie Blankenship also joined Harris in representing the Bard Foundation. Harris said that she is proud to represent the Bard Foundation in contributing to the building of the Miracle Field in Newton County and that the Rotary is a major fundraising machine ...