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.

Tax change could affect car appeals

Now that residents have to pay a one-time sales tax every time they register a vehicle in Georgia, buyers purchasing used cars may want to consider appealing what the state says their car is worth if that car has more wear and tear or damage than average.

Bloody family feud over missing coins

A 52-year-old Covington man was arrested after reportedly assaulting his step-son for an alleged theft of money from his room.

Terms reached for Falcons stadium

ATLANTA (AP) - Officials say financing terms have been reached for the Atlanta Falcons' $1 billion stadium proposal, keeping the team's home games in the city's downtown. The City Council must now vote on the proposal.

Lowest gas price - March 7

The lowest price for regular fuel in Covington is $3.55 at the Quick Spot, located at 10260 Ga. Highway 36 and Eagle Drive.

Lowest gas price - March 6

The lowest price for regular fuel in Covington is $3.55 at the Shell station, located at 10724 Bypass Road and Monticello Street.

City officials to reach out to community

Got a neighbor with a dog that barks all night, or want to know what new employers have jobs in Covington? On Saturday, March 23, Covington officials from a wide array of city agencies will be ready to help residents find solutions to problems and answers for questions.

Newton could be hub for medical biz

Board of Commissioners Chairman Keith Ellis has a vision for Newton County and it comes in the form of a big map fastened to a 3x4-foot board. Thin purple lines form a huge diamond encompassing Newton, Jasper, Walton and Morgan counties. Ellis dreams that one day those counties will be what he calls a "Research Diamond," a hub for medical research, hospitals, medical device makers and bioscience giants like Baxter.

Comet offers rare opportunity at Varner

Although Halley's Comet won't be visible again until 2061, local residents will be able to see a newer comet later this month.

Education SPLOST voting starts

Early voting has started in the proposed education SPLOST referendum. If approved, the SPLOST will be a continuation of a current 1-cent sales tax that will go toward capital projects and help boost the Newton County School System's budget.

Newton Medical trains for disaster

"Ahh, my back," a Newton High School health care student shrieked as she was treated for her mock injury by staff at Newton Medical Center. Her pre-planned injury was the result of a phony tornado that was said to have touched down in Porterdale, injuring residents and destroying the blood lab at the hospital.

Woman chases roommate with spoons

A Covington woman was charged with disorderly conduct after reportedly chasing her roommate with a "bouquet of spoons wrapped with a rubber band."

Local man crashes into trees, gets DUI

A Covington man was charged with drunk driving after allegedly losing control of his car and crashing into several trees, which left him and his passenger injured.

Lowest gas price - March 5

The lowest price for regular fuel in Covington is $3.57 at the Marathon station located at 1814 Ga. Highway 11 S. near Ga. Highway 142.

Call for Vampire Diaries extras

The Vampire Diaries television show is looking for new blood for a shoot in Conyers on Thursday, March 7.

After 80 years, residents may get sewer

Bryant Thomas told the city council that his family first moved into their Robinson Street house 80 years ago. And today, "after paying our taxes on time all these years," they still are not connected to the city sewer line. Thomas explained at last night's meeting that his house is on a downslope. Decades ago, there was no way way to pump sewage uphill. Now, there is a pump, yet his home and about 27 nearby houses must rely on septic tanks that sometimes overflow.