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.

Community rallies to help sick baby

With Jessica Wyatt's recent news that her son, 10-month-old Lucas Cronan, may be suffering from juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia - a rare form of leukemia found in children under 2 years of age - the community has stepped up and taken action.

Shelter up and running

The Covington homeless shelter at Turner Lake Circle is filled with residents and up and running.

Airport to close for repairs

The Covington Municipal Airport will close for two months, beginning in late July or early August, when the city begins rehabilitation of the 4,200 feet of older runway.

Woman plays victim — arrested as aggressor

A woman crying in the street was arrested after officers learned that instead of being the victim of assault, she had been the aggressor in a domestic dispute involving pepper spray and a handgun.

Thunder storms and hail expected

SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR PEA SIZED HAIL AND 40 MPH WINDS IN NEWTON AND WALTON COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM EDT... AT 440 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER ALMON...AND MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. WIND GUSTS OF 40 MPH...SMALL HAIL AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING ARE LIKELY AS THIS STORM MOVES ACROSS NEWTON AND WALTON COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THE STORM INCLUDE GUM CREEK... ALMON...PORTERDALE...OXFORD...COVINGTON...JERSEY...STARRSVILLE...

Bard donates to Rotary

Generosity: Rebecca Harris (right center), an employee of Bard Urological donates a $3,000 check to the Rotary Club. The check was received by Rotarian Johnny Smith (right). Gay Clark and Valerie Blankenship also joined Harris in representing the Bard Foundation. Harris said that she is proud to represent the Bard Foundation in contributing to the building of the Miracle Field in Newton County and that the Rotary is a major fundraising machine ...

Woman shot by boyfriend

Covington Police Department officers responded to a "trouble unknown" call at the Magnolia Heights Apartment complex at approximately 3 a.m. Sunday to find a hysterical woman covered in blood.

The News wins big

For the second consecutive year, The News clinched the coveted General Excellence award for Division E (biweekly and triweekly newspapers with circulation less than 20,001) at the Georgia Press Association Awards held this weekend at Jekyll Island.

WSCC BikeFest a success

Shiny new bicycles: The WSCC BikeFest gave away about 20 bikes and 30 helmets to local children on Saturday, June 6. More than 50 children rode in the parade, as did 11 volunteers from the Covington Conyers Cycling Club (C4), one volunteer from the Metropolitan Atlanta Cycling Club (MACC) and three officers from the Covington PD. There was also a pancake fundraiser breakfast before the parade, and Mayor Carter assisted in cooking ...

Woman shot at Magnolia Heights

Covington Police Department officers responded to a "trouble unknown" call at the Magnolia Heights Apartments complex at approximately 3 a.m. Sunday to find a hysterical woman covered in blood. According to CPD Lt. Wendell Wagstaff, the officers called LifeFlight for the victim, 23-year-old Tiati Smith, who was bleeding from behind her left ear, even though it appeared the bullet had just grazed her ear or head.

Suspects caught after armed robbery

Investigators from the Newton County Sheriff's Office solved two burglaries at once when they arrested two men for an armed robbery Wednesday.

New homeless shelter opens after final inspections

Covington now has a homeless shelter as Rainbow Covenant Ministries received its final certificates of occupation for the three homeless shelter buildings at Turner Lake Circle.

Beat the heat

YMCA Pool Shedule Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday 12 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. ...

Heart of a clown

Eight-year-old Michael Webb describes himself as a clown.

Junior volunteers get down to business at Newton Medical

Summer break means something different for 60 Newton County high school students enrolled in Newton Medical Center's Junior Volunteer Program. The Junior Volunteer program at Newton Medical Center provides a variety of experiences for students ages 14 - 18 and several graduating seniors during the summer. Most students participate in the Scrubs program designed to provide certification in CPR and First Aid.

You gotta be kidding campaign

Soon some real characters will be showing up on the local scene and around Georgia. Tommy Krenshaw, or "Flat Tommy", as Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful (KCNB) affectionately calls him, will reach star status as he and his reasons for not recycling take center stage in a new statewide education campaign. Those who know Tommy will not be surprised that he is receiving so much attention. During his act, Tommy proclaims to all that he will find ...