Make-A-Wish seeks airline miles

In celebration of the 33rd anniversary of the first wish ever granted by Make-A-Wish, Make-A-Wish Georgia granted 44 wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses throughout April.

Animal control donates to NCSO

The Newton County Humane Society donated a check to the Newton County Sheriff's Office to help with the purchase of a vest for one of the four K-9 officers at the NCSO.

The News honored for education contributions

The Newton County Theme School at Ficquett honored The Covington News for the newspaper's contributions as this year's Partner in Education. The Partners in Education program, developed in 1986, includes collaborations between schools and businesses, social-service and governmental agencies, colleges and universities, civic groups, churches and other interested community members, according to information from NCSS website.

Coupon confusion at Chick-fil-A

All Chick-fil-A coupons are not created equal. Some Newton County residents hoping to use an Internet coupon that entitled them to a free sandwich in celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week learned that lesson Tuesday.

Newton County Jail Log, May 8

Erica Madeline Adriance, 22, 30 Ashley Drive, Oxford, April 24. Contempt of court.

Sleepy suspect

A man wanted in Walton County was found sitting in a Newton County neighborhood early Tuesday morning.

Fantasy 5 winning ticket sold in Covington

Margaret Gregory-Smith of Covington won $256,865 in the May 3 Fantasy 5 drawing. She claimed her prize Monday. The jackpot ticket was purchased at Covington Raceway, 5148 Highway 278 NW, Covington.

Lowest gas price - May 7

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.42 at QuikTrip, located at 11124 Ga. Highway 142 near I-20 exit 93.

Conyers nabs Vampire Diaries prequel

A new spin-off series of CW's popular "The Vampire Diaries" has been green-lighted and will likely be shooting in Conyers.

Newton County has minor flooding

Porterdale City Council to meet tonight

The City of Porterdale will hold its regular council meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Covington City Council to meet tonight

The City of Covington will hold a work session at 6 p.m. tonight, followed by their council meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Lowest gas price - May 6

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.42 at QuikTrip, located at 11124 Ga. Highway 142 near I-20 exit 93.

New gun-firing ordinance draft created

A citizens committee put a new gun-firing ordinance on the table this past week, and while it eliminates many issues residents had with the original proposal from earlier this year, some locals wonder if it will actually cut down on illegal firing.

Cycling into a dream

Learning how to ride a bike is a childhood rite of passage. Learning how to fix a bicycle as a child has turned into a lifelong business venture for Bill Adcock.

Newton Medical Center annual Spring Gala coming up Saturday

Newton Medical Center's Annual Spring Gala planned for April 25 will be a night to remember. Hosted by Linda and Reginald McFarland of Social Circle, the event promises to be elegant and entertaining.

County to recieve smart growth help

Newton County is receiving help from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) to plan for smart growth and future mixed-use developments along U.S. Highway 278, such as mixed retail-office and retail-residential buildings.

Children of Eden

The Social Circle Theater will present the final showing of their largest production to date, "Children of Eden," a theatrical production from the book of Genesis, April 24 through April 26. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, a sold-out 3 p.m. Saturday matinee and 6 p.m. Sunday.

City and county consider purchasing local Norfolk Southern railroad

The City of Covington and Newton County have been considering purchasing railroad right-of-ways from Norfolk Southern for the past several months. On Tuesday, the city and county held a joint public meeting to enlighten the public and discuss the benefits and risks of possibly purchasing the railroad. The Covington News will have more on this story in Sunday's paper.

Angela Hodges is Conservationist of the Year for Newton County

Angela Hodges was recognized as conservationist of the year April 21 by the Upper Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation District. The award was presented at the district's annual program for the achievements in soil and water conservation on her farm. Hodges was presented with a plaque of recognition by Newton County District Supervisor Larry McSwain. Angela and her husband Bo Thompson operate Anna Beth's Farm named after her niece located on Ga. Highway 229. ...

A long time coming

It's been about 188 years since the Brick Store was first built and quickly became the hub of the community in Newton County. The store still stands on U.S. Highway 278, a tribute to times gone by. But recently Brick Store has received some long overdue credit, after being added to the National Register of Historic Places. After 18 months of hard work, researching ownership and past uses of the former Superior Court of Newton ...

Local groups rally to keep Newton clean

Members of Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful will join volunteers from across the county to collect trash from local roadways and green areas Saturday. "We're participating along with thousands of volunteers throughout the United States in the Great American Cleanup, which is sponsored by Keep America Beautiful," said Connie Waller, executive director of KCNB.

Drowning victim identified

A Conyers woman who fell into the rapid waters at Factory Shoals Park late Monday morning was found dead, a victim of a drowning. According to Newton County Sheriff's Office 1st Lt. Mark Mitchell, a call for help went out at roughly 11 a.m. when a group of the friends that the women, identified as 35-year-old Marie Elaina Carley, was with, called 911 after the she accidentally fell into the water and they were unable to find her.

Rising to the Cheerios Challenge

About 725 runners and walkers were up bright and early Saturday morning for the eighth annual Cheerios Challenge, along with more than 500 onlookers and supporters and 102 volunteers who pitched in to make the event a success.

Newborn town budget finally approved for 2009

The Newborn Town Council finally approved its 2009 calendar year budget after months of discussion and uncertainty. Councilwoman Suzanne Bean said the $297,342.92 budget wasn't passed until March 16 because of council members' differing opinions and uncertainty about how the economy would affect the city's revenue, particularly property taxes.

Police, deputies look for robbery suspects

Both the Covington Police Department and the Newton County Sheriff's Office are seeking the community's help in finding men that they say are responsible for robberies on April 11 and 14.

The power of public service

A visit from the congressman: Congressman Jim Marshall (D-District 8) speaks to ninth through 11th graders on Thursday at Newton High School, while Principal Roderick Sams looks on, about the importance of serving their country through the military and other public agencies.

Local leader, business owner mourned

Prominent Newton County resident Otis Spillers passed away April 14 at the age of 90, but not before he touched many lives in the community he had called home since 1935.

The end of the drought

Newton County is no longer under "drought" conditions, but that doesn't mean the county will no longer have drought restrictions.

A motorcycle ride for Heather

In many ways, Alcovy High School freshman, Heather Munson is like any other 15 year-old teenager. She chats on the cell phone, has a crush on a boyfriend at school, engages in sibling spats with her 12 year-old sister Amber and loves watching American Idol. But for Heather, every day begins and ends with the challenges of coping with cerebral palsy.