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.

The News to record, show BOC meetings

The Newton County Board of Commissioners' meetings will now be recorded on video and placed on The Covington News' website, CovNews.com, where they can be viewed in their entirety for free by the public.

Local to compete in fashion week event

Design and fashion may be a dream for some people, but an evolving Social Circle designer will face reality as she participates in a competition for emerging designers during Charleston Fashion Week, in Charleston, S.C.

Kimble: 4H'ers earn top honors

A seventh-grader stood on stage Friday night. He nervously looked at his note cards as nearly 400 pairs of eyes looked on.

Stolen identity? Get in line

The only possible place more miserable than waiting in line at the DMV is waiting in line to get inside the IRS office.

Crime Briefs: That’s just the way she shops

Two Covington women were charged with shoplifting from the Salvation Army Tuesday afternoon. Employees of the store watched as two women, later identified as Josephine Gilley Jones and Stephanie Lynn Harris, allegedly removed several pieces of clothing and concealed them in a white purse. When officers questioned the women initially, they both said there were no clothes inside the zipped up white purse. But when they were separated, the story changed. Harris reportedly told officers ...

Historic Society to host guest speaker

The Newton County Historic Society's next meeting will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 9 at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 8100 Bob Williams Parkway, off City Pond Road.

Last day to vote early on E-SPLOST

Today is the final day for early voting on E-SPLOST. If you don't make it to the polls today, you can vote Tuesday, March 19. Read up on education SPLOST by clicking the following links to previous stories.

Around the farm

A few tractors are parked inside Dale Wiley's barn that sits on his family's land they have owned since 1919.

Flint Hill Elementary keeps growing

Enrollment continues to rise at Flint Hill Elementary School, which is already the biggest in Newton County, and school system officials are discussing how to handle the growth, including possibly adding another assistant principal.

School lunch prices may increase

An increase in student lunch prices may soon be on the way as the Newton County Board of Education reviewed Tuesday a proposed 10-cent increase to paid lunch prices, as opposed to free and reduced, for students for the 2013-14 fiscal school year, which begins July 1.

Local charged with 192 counts

Several people have been arrested and charged with multiple counts of forgery after reportedly stealing checks from a Conyers business.

New NHS revealed to NCSS officials

Newton County School System officials toured the new Newton High School on Thursday, where new classrooms, gyms and offices were revealed to school officials.

Lowest gas price - March 14

The lowest price for regular fuel in Covington is $3.53 at the Shell station, located at 10724 ByPass Road and Monticello Street.

Woman charged with 192 counts of forgery

Several people have been arrested and charged with multiple counts of forgery after reportedly stealing checks from a Conyers business.

Lowest gas price - March 13

The lowest price for regular fuel in Covington is $3.53 at the Pure station, located at 6125 U.S. Highway 278 and West Street.