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.

Veteran's Day ceremony on the square

Despite the weather, many people gathered on the square Wednesday morning to honor our veterans. The Social Circle High School JROTC presented the colors, Ric Chiapetta sang patriotic songs, Glenn Whitaker spoke praising words of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and Terry Moore and Don Floyd presented a red, white and blue wreath.

Newton County remains under flood warning

The National Weather Service has extended a Yellow River flood warning for Newton County until Thursday evening.

Director of free clinic wins Pat Patrick Big Heart Award

The second annual Pat Patrick Big Heart Award was given to Ed Jenkins Tuesday at The Center for his work as director of the free Willing Helpers Medical Clinic.

Volunteers, donations needed for Community Thanksgiving Dinner

The Newton County Minister's Union is in need of monetary and food donations and volunteers for its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

Santa Claus is coming to town

The Covington Lion's Club and Main Street Covington is calling all groups who want to participate in the 2009 Covington/Newton Hometown Christmas Parade.

Pine Valley Mission

Helping those who need it: Children from the Pine Valley Mission enjoyed hot dogs, refreshments, a hayride and other fun activities on Nov. 1 at Knox Farms. This annual event was made possible by the farm and volunteer helpers from Eastridge Community Church. The Pine Valley Mission has assisted needy children for 20 years. Winter coats, wind breakers, hoodies and sweatshirts were given to the children recently. School supplies, uniforms and shoes ...

Red ribbon friends

Fighting against drugs with puppet power: A second grade class at Rocky Plains Elementary School got treated to a puppet show sponsored by the Elks Club during Red Ribbon Week. They watched the puppeteers put on the drug awareness puppet show and wore their red ribbons in support of being drug free. The Elks present (L-R) were State Elks President Larry Capes, Ann Graham, Jack Wheeler, Penny Blakeney, Linda Chadwick, Mary Frances ...

Once a Marine...

Gerald "Bud" Hipps joined the Marines at age 17. The year was 1942. "When they bombed Pearl Harbor, all my buddies was going into the war and I wanted to go too," Hipps said.

2 shot, 1 killed Sunday night in Porterdale

Ricky Lewis Smith, age 44, has been arrested and charged with the shooting death of a woman in Porterdale Sunday evening. According to Newton County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer 1st Lt. Mark Mitchell, deputies were called to a home on Bell Street off Ga. Highway 162 in south Porterdale at 7:49 p.m. When they arrived they found 36-year-old Tajuana Lashawn Stroud dead from an apparent gunshot wound. They also located 42-year-old Steven Cadet Smith ...

2 Gubernatorial candidates speak at local Dem. event

Speeches by gubernatorial candidates Dubose Porter and David Poythress highlighted the Newton County Democratic Party's first ever banquet on Saturday.

Armed robbery closes Wal-Mart

A man who reportedly robbed a United Bank inside of Wal-Mart remains at large as of press time, but according to Covington Police Captain Craig Treadwell, authorities are confident the thief's freedom will be short-lived. Law enforcement officials responded to the popular discount store at around 2:04 p.m. Monday afternoon after receiving calls of an armed robbery at the bank. When they arrived, the suspect had already fled the area but had left behind a ...

Flash flood watch issued until Wednesday

The National Weather Service out of Peachtree City issued a flash flood watch for portions of north and central Georgia, including Rockdale and Newton counties, in effect until Wednesday morning.

Victims and suspect named in deadly Porterdale shooting

Ricky Lewis Smith, age 44, has been arrested and charged with the shooting death of a woman in Porterdale Sunday evening.

Grove Pointe buys land to build new, permanent home

For many Christians church is defined as a gathering of a people, but most will agree it's still nice to have a building of their own.

Friends of the Library

Book sales and classic cars: Raising community awareness with an antique car and book giveaways during the Friendship Festival parade, Friends of the Stanton Memorial Library promoted their bi-annual book sale. The sale and events associated with it enabled the group to present librarian Janet King with a check in the amount of $1,200 for the purchase of sorely needed library materials.