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.

4-H alumnus to chair Relay for Life

Five years ago, an eighth grade 4-H'er came up to me at Relay for Life, excitedly telling me how 4-H should have a team.

Soldier experiences devastation of bombs

McDonough native Joe Turner was born in 1927 during hard times, then lived through the Great Depression. As a member of the Greatest Generation, Turner served in World War II, came home to finish college, and became a successful insurance salesman. As a history and geography enthusiast, he dreamed of going to far-off places, of glimpsing history, and vacationing in countries he'd only read about or studied in school.

Tues. I-20 death was Oxford resident

The man killed on Interstate 20 this morning in Rockdale County has been identified as 60-year-old Roy Arndt of Oxford.

Louise Adams named volunteer of the year

Louise Adams was named the volunteer of the year tonight at the annual Newton Fund award ceremony. Adams was given the 2013 Pat Patrick Big Heart Award, a prestigious local award given to a community volunteer who goes above and beyond.

BOC to talk lawn contract tonight

The Newton County Board of Commissioners will discuss the controversial lawn maintenance contract at a special called meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse.

UPDATE: I-20 WB lanes open

UPDATE: A large tree fell on on a pickup truck on Interstate 20 westbound near Sigman Road during Tuesday's rain during morning rush hour, killing a 60-year-old man and causing a seven-car chain reaction crash.

Former teacher to plead in child molestation case

A former high school teacher and former Covington resident will enter a plea next week in Rockdale County Superior Court to charges which include aggravated child molestation.

A better tomorrow

Citizens gathered at the historic courthouse on Saturday afternoon to hear about the March on Washington and the Emancipation Proclamation and were moved by inspirational poems and interpretive dance as a part of a black history celebration.

Sheriff’s employees honored at ceremony

For the fourth year in a row, Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown honored employees of the sheriff's office with an awards ceremony, to showcase their hard work and dedication to the citizens of Newton County.

Salem Overlay project meeting productive

Newton County residents had another chance to give feedback and have their questions answered about the Salem Overlay District project at a final informational meeting on the project.

Board responds to firearms ordinance

Several concerns are being raised about suggested revisions to the county's firearms discharge ordinance and the Newton County Board of Commissioners has responded to the community's anxieties about the proposed new ordinance.

Newton Co. Pre-K registration dates

Parents with eligible children will be able to register them for the district's Georgia lottery funded Pre-kindergarten program this week, Feb. 25 through March 1 at the elementary school they are zoned for.

Main Street board gets reorganized

The Main Street board met Friday and reorganized its board in preparation for its March 14 retreat, scheduled to be held at the enter.

Life of Pie and other sweets

Chris Day studied as a hair and makeup artist; her gift for catching life-changing luck comes naturally. When the Air Force transferred her husband to Anchorage, the city's seven months of wintry gloom might seem grim for a woman who said she "loves pink, flowers, glitter and all things girly." But Day promptly landed a job in the Sheraton Hotel's luxury spa doing spray tans and makeovers.

City holds Public Safety Citizen’s Academy

The City of Covington will be holding its first Public Safety Citizen's Academy. The program will begin on Thursday April 11, and will last 12 weeks with classes meeting each Thursday night from 6-9 p.m. As part of the new SCAN initiative (Safer Covington Action Network), the Citizens Public Safety Academy will provide an opportunity for citizens to become familiar with the various resources, services and functions of the City of Covington municipal government.

Georgia Farm Bureau Day at Capitol

Newton County Farm Bureau members traveled to Atlanta recently to participate in the Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol.