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.

Local schools on lockdown

According to the Newton County School System Public Relations Director Sherri Viniard, both Fairview Elementary School and Clements Middle School are on lockdown.

Con man caught in act of running scam on victim

When Covington Police Detective Steve Fowler noticed a man speaking with a woman in the parking lot of Kroger on Tuesday he just had a feeling that something wasn't quite right. His gut instinct paid off and an Atlanta man is now in jail for a crime committed April 16 that he was attempting to repeat on Tuesday.

City, county to finalize plans for using foreclosure aid funds

Covington will likely purchase its first foreclosed and bank-owned residential properties in June as part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The county is also finalizing its NSP project and both the city and county are holding public hearings to give updates and receive feedback on the NSP.

Training at Camp Shelby

I heard an explosion behind me and turned in time to see smoke issuing from a pickup truck that had been crashed into the National Guard headquarters in this small Afghan village. Soldiers and Afghan villagers were running and yelling and a handful of wounded people were strewn around the blast radius. Luckily no U.S. soldiers were injured, but they were busy attending to Afghan soldiers and villagers who had been standing nearby when ...

Man arrested for armed robbery of Long John Silver’s

Covington Police Department detectives have made an arrest in the armed robbery of Long John Silver's restaurant on April 14.

Crime Briefs

Officers from the Covington Police Department were called to the Hong Kong King restaurant after a couple who went there for an afternoon meal ate more food than they paid for.

Fallen tree blocking lanes on Interstate 20

A tree in the road is blocking two right lanes on Interstate 20 near Exit 80, bringing traffic to a near stand-still. Drivers are encouraged to use an alternate route.

Car crashes into Bank of North Georgia

An elderly woman crashed her vehicle into the back of another driver who was sitting in the drive-thru lane at Bank of North Georgia Friday morning.

Locks of love

Growing it out: Connor Hewell recently grew his hair out to donate to the Locks of Love organization. Connor saw a picture of a child who had lost all his hair due to illness in his classroom at school. He noticed a young girl who had been diagnosed with brain tumors and was losing her hair due to the treatments and he felt compassion. He wanted to help but he didn't know ...

NCSO staff attend advanced training to reduce traffic deaths

Traffic crashes are a leading cause of injury death in Georgia and present a major public health problem. The tragic loss of life to traffic crashes not only devastates families both emotionally and financially, but also imposes far-reaching societal cost to employees and government agencies as well as public and private insurers. Highway safety is a major concern for our sheriffs' offices. The sheriffs of Georgia are committed to continuing and enhancing their collective effort ...

National Weather Service issues tornado watch for Newton until 7 p.m.

THE PRIMARY HAZARDS OF THIS STORM WILL BE FREQUENT LIGHTNING... PENNY TO NICKEL SIZE HAIL... WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH... AND ISOLATED TORNADOES.

Deputies look for stabbing information

A man was stabbed early Sunday morning following an altercation at an Almon Road residence and investigators from the Newton County Sheriff's Office are seeking tips to make sure they catch the right person. According to NCSO 1st Lt. Mark Mitchell, deputies were called to the residence just before 2 a.m. When they arrived ,they met with a group of people who reportedly told them the suspect had followed them home from an establishment in ...

Man arrested with counterfeit cash

Officers from the Covington Police Department were called to an area discount store after a man attempted to use a counterfeit bill, and ended up confiscating roughly $970 in counterfeit currency.

Almost 100 Bard workers to lose jobs

C.R. Bard Inc. announced that it is cutting 98 jobs in Covington as it consolidates the urological and medical divisions. Public affairs spokeswoman Holly Glass said the Harland Drive facility will close by June 22 as part of Bard's strategic adjustment plan to improve its overall cost structure and improve efficiency. She said the first jobs will likely be eliminated on June 22 and that employees will receive severance and outplacement benefits. However, Bard will ...

Covington OKs SUP for private K-12 academy

Mayor Kim Carter once again cast the tie-breaking city council vote Monday night in further support of a special use permit for Janice VanNess' Christian Peachtree Academy, which would be built off McGuirts Bridge Road. In what was at times a contentious discussion, VanNess, area residents and city councils members made arguments for and against the building of the school. The most important issue for council members was increased traffic.