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.

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.

Newton Medical Center Spring Gala

Click HERE to view an audio slideshow of the Spring Gala

Officials look at buying railroad

Newton County and the City of Covington are considering purchasing railroad from Norfolk Southern for various future uses. The city and county held a joint public meeting Tuesday to better understand the process of purchasing a railroad and the possible benefits and costs.

3 charged after shots fired from car

Concerned residents in the Green Acres neighborhood contacted authorities in the early morning hours of April 20 after they witnessed a gun being shot out of a vehicle with three occupants.

Shoplifting fish and wine

Food Depot was the scene of two separate shoplifting attempts, both of which were thwarted by observant employees.

A little spring cleaning

Volunteers turned up bright and early at the Kroger parking lot on Saturday morning to pitch in the Great American Cleanup, which involved schools, civic groups and individuals to pick up litter and trash in Newton County.

Fairy Tale Ball

Princesses and princes of Newton: Milian Dilligard, Avery Freeman and Troy McCoy from Mrs. Aevalotis and Ms. Boyd's class dress up as fairy tale characters as part of a week-long theme focusing on fairy tales.

2009 Newton County Relay for Life

Hundreds of walkers and supporters gathered at the Church at Covington for the annual Newton County Relay for Life to raise funds for cancer research. Many local groups and organizations participated, including Lendmark Financial Services, Porterdale Elementary, and First Baptist Covington.

Columnist honored by Georgia 4-H

Covington News writer Terri Kimble, who pens the weekly "4-H 4ever" column that runs on Fridays, was recently recognized by the Georgia Association of Extension and 4-H Agents in the categories of Personal Column and Promotional Piece.

Education working group proposes overhaul

On Monday Gov. Sonny Perdue released the final recommendations of an education working group that proposed significant, "comprehensive" changes to Georgia's education system at every level. The group's recommendations were based on the national education report "Tough Choices or Tough Times," which suggested radically altering the U.S.'s education system in order to reverse America's global economic and political decline. The Georgia working group's recommendations would affect every education level in the near and ...

Cheerios Challenge raises funds for families

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.

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. ...