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.

Army Briefs May 14

Army Pvt. Marcus S. Barton has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Barton is the son of Kimberly Whedbee of Covington.Army Pvt. C. Forsythe has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Forsythe earned distinction as an honor graduate of the course. He is the son of Lana Forsythe of Covington.Army Reserve Pvt. Marquice S. Geter has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Geter ...

Farm Day 2009

County discusses layoffs

The Newton County Board of Commissioners is considering two budget-cutting options to lay off either approximately 45 or 62 county employees in order to balance the fiscal year 2010 budget. At the May 5 budget work session, the BOC agreed that it did not want to raise the millage rate from 9.73 to 10.308, which means that supply and personnel costs will have to be cut to reduce the entire initial $8.6 million budget deficit.

Manhunt

Two Newton County schools were placed on lockdown for students' safety Tuesday morning after robbery suspects fled their vehicle in the area of Fairview Road.

4-H'ers honored at awards night

In a red-carpet-themed ceremony Monday night at Newton High School, Newton County 4-H'ers received recognition for competitions they participated in this school year as well as service projects they completed.

DeKalb Tech LEA graduates

Class act: The innaugural class of DeKalb Technical College's new Law Enforcement Academy recently graduated. They are (front, left to right): William Presley, Sean O'Brien, Linda Mallett (Rockdale Sheriff's Office), Lisa Brown, Gregory Hughes, Jonathan Bruce (Conyers Police Department). Standing are (left to right) Andy Stamatellos (RSO), Stephen McGinnis (CPD), Nicole Harris, Bobby Ledbetter (RSO) and Samantha Rose. <p ...

Local schools no longer on lockdown

Fairview Elementary School and Clements Middle School are no longer on lockdown according to Newton County School System Public Relations Director Sherri Viniard.

Local schools on lockdown

According to the Newton County School System Public Relations Director Sherri Viniard, both Fairview Elementary School and Clements Middle School are on lockdown.

Con man caught in act of running scam on victim

When Covington Police Detective Steve Fowler noticed a man speaking with a woman in the parking lot of Kroger on Tuesday he just had a feeling that something wasn't quite right. His gut instinct paid off and an Atlanta man is now in jail for a crime committed April 16 that he was attempting to repeat on Tuesday.

City, county to finalize plans for using foreclosure aid funds

Covington will likely purchase its first foreclosed and bank-owned residential properties in June as part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The county is also finalizing its NSP project and both the city and county are holding public hearings to give updates and receive feedback on the NSP.

Training at Camp Shelby

I heard an explosion behind me and turned in time to see smoke issuing from a pickup truck that had been crashed into the National Guard headquarters in this small Afghan village. Soldiers and Afghan villagers were running and yelling and a handful of wounded people were strewn around the blast radius. Luckily no U.S. soldiers were injured, but they were busy attending to Afghan soldiers and villagers who had been standing nearby when ...

Man arrested for armed robbery of Long John Silver’s

Covington Police Department detectives have made an arrest in the armed robbery of Long John Silver's restaurant on April 14.

Crime Briefs

Officers from the Covington Police Department were called to the Hong Kong King restaurant after a couple who went there for an afternoon meal ate more food than they paid for.

Fallen tree blocking lanes on Interstate 20

A tree in the road is blocking two right lanes on Interstate 20 near Exit 80, bringing traffic to a near stand-still. Drivers are encouraged to use an alternate route.

Car crashes into Bank of North Georgia

An elderly woman crashed her vehicle into the back of another driver who was sitting in the drive-thru lane at Bank of North Georgia Friday morning.