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.

Mansfield approves budget after four-month delay

 The Mansfield City Council will finally approve its 2009 fiscal year budget on May 11 after a four-month delay. Mansfield operates on a January through December budget cycle, but City Clerk Pat Mullins said with her hip replacement and the mayor's knee replacement, the budget process has been delayed in 2009.

Swine flu reported in LaGrange

Georgia had its first confirmed swine flu case on Thursday when a 30-year-old Kentucky woman, who had been vacationing in Mexico and attended a wedding in LaGrange, fell ill and was hospitalized. The Georgia Center for Disease Control lab was still awaiting test results Thursday afternoon from 24 other cases that could be swine flu. The virus has been steadily spreading across the United States, with 131 confirmed cases in 17 states. So far, the ...

Students arrested after ruptured- bottle scare Tues.

 Two Alcovy High School students were arrested and charged with terroristic threats following a small explosion caused by combustible fluids in the commons area of the school Tuesday morning.

Officials: 1st confirmed swine flu case in Ga.

ATLANTA (AP) - Health officials have confirmed the first case of swine flu in Georgia.

Mall of Stonecrest begins Parental Involvement Program May 1

The Mall at Stonecrest is introducing a Parental Involvement Program (PIP) Friday, May 1. Under the program, youths under the age of 18 visiting the Mall at Stonecrest will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian after 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. The existing Code of Conduct will continue to remain in effect. "The Mall at Stonecrest's PIP initiative is designed to enhance the shopping experience for all of our patrons," said Patricia ...

Inside the NC Fire Safety Education House

Members of the Leadership Newton County participated in Public Safety Day last week, which included time in the Newton County Fire Safety Education House.

Alcovy High School commons area no longer in lockdown

At roughly 8:30 a.m. a water bottle with an unknown substance inside of it went off in the commons area of Alcovy High School. It was not an incendiary device and no students or school property was affected at all as far as investigators are aware at this time.

Newton Medical Center Spring Gala

Click HERE to view an audio slideshow of the Spring Gala

Officials look at buying railroad

Newton County and the City of Covington are considering purchasing railroad from Norfolk Southern for various future uses. The city and county held a joint public meeting Tuesday to better understand the process of purchasing a railroad and the possible benefits and costs.

3 charged after shots fired from car

Concerned residents in the Green Acres neighborhood contacted authorities in the early morning hours of April 20 after they witnessed a gun being shot out of a vehicle with three occupants.

Shoplifting fish and wine

Food Depot was the scene of two separate shoplifting attempts, both of which were thwarted by observant employees.

A little spring cleaning

Volunteers turned up bright and early at the Kroger parking lot on Saturday morning to pitch in the Great American Cleanup, which involved schools, civic groups and individuals to pick up litter and trash in Newton County.

Fairy Tale Ball

Princesses and princes of Newton: Milian Dilligard, Avery Freeman and Troy McCoy from Mrs. Aevalotis and Ms. Boyd's class dress up as fairy tale characters as part of a week-long theme focusing on fairy tales.

2009 Newton County Relay for Life

Hundreds of walkers and supporters gathered at the Church at Covington for the annual Newton County Relay for Life to raise funds for cancer research. Many local groups and organizations participated, including Lendmark Financial Services, Porterdale Elementary, and First Baptist Covington.

Columnist honored by Georgia 4-H

Covington News writer Terri Kimble, who pens the weekly "4-H 4ever" column that runs on Fridays, was recently recognized by the Georgia Association of Extension and 4-H Agents in the categories of Personal Column and Promotional Piece.