9 arrested for pimping, prostitution, pandering

Police arrested six "johns," including a Covington man, and a Covington woman charged with pimping in a bust of a prostitution operation at a Conyers motel Tuesday.

Lowest gas price - May 31

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.44 at Kroger, located at 5341 Ga. Highway 20 S near Brown Bridge Road.

Take a tour of Baxter’s work site

Construction continues to ramp up at Baxter International's $1 billion manufacturing campus on the Newton-Walton county border, and a handful of senior officials toured local media around the sprawling worksite Wednesday.

Fire destroys Old Mt. Zion Rd. house

A smoke detector saved four lives early Thursday, when a couple was awakened to find their bedroom and the first floor of their house filled with smoke.

We Ride to Provide set for Saturday

Do you ride a motorcycle, like police dogs, or just want to show your support? Then head on down to Porterdale Saturday morning to hang out with Hogs and dogs at the fifth annual We Ride to Provide K9 Memorial Ride.

Homegrown Jazz concert to benefit WSCC

Smooth sounds of jazz under the stars will be heard next week as Homegrown Jazz by the River, hosted by the Washington Street Community Center, makes its annual return.

NCCA hosts summer theme camps

Students in seventh and eighth grades can learn more about a number of career fields this summer by attending a Summer Theme Camp hosted by the Newton College and Career Academy.

Lowest gas price - May 30

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.53 at BP, located at 6229 Turner Lake Road and Brown Bridge Road.

250 working at Baxter site

Construction continues to ramp up at Baxter International's $1 billion manufacturing campus on the Newton-Walton county border, and a handful of senior officials toured local media around the sprawling worksite Tuesday.

Escort planned for wounded soldier

SPC. Sam Walley, an Auburn, Ga., serviceman who lost an arm and a leg to an IED explosion in June, is making his first visit home, and special escort is planned for him when he returns to Georgia Thursday.

Lowest gas price - May 29

The lowest gas price for regular fuel is $3.47 at BP, located at 5343 Ga. Highway 20 S near Stone Creek Drive.

Foundation awards grants to teachers

BOE to let police use Sharp Stadium

Sharp Stadium may see a little bit more security, as officers with the Covington Police Department will now be able to use the facility for physical fitness purposes. The Newton County Board of Education approved the CPD's request unanimously at its May 21 board meeting.

Four arrested; gang activity alleged

Four people were arrested Wednesday and charged under the Georgia Street Gang Prevention Act after reportedly attempting to attack a 16-year-old boy and his father with brass knuckles.

Fire destroys Porterdale officer's home

Porterdale Police Investigator Doug Clifton had a rough Memorial Day weekend, as he returned to town to find his home and possessions destroyed by an early Sunday morning fire.

Fuzz Run just around the corner

The 26th annual Fuzz Run is nearly here and although the race is just days away, it isn't too late to sign up to compete. Runners can visit Baker Field from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday and even early Saturday morning prior to the start of the race to register.

"Vampire Diaries" to premiere tonight

The latest television series to be filmed in Covington, the "Vampire Diaries, will premiere tonight at 8 p.m. on The CW network.

Burned man identified

At approximately 7:15 p.m. Tuesday Newton County Fire received a call for a house fire at 15858 Ga. Highway 36, across from Campbell Road. Firefighters who entered the home were able to find a man -- identified by NCFD Deputy Chief Tim Smith as 72-year-old Charles Rainwater Sr -- lying in the kitchen area of the home and drag him to safety. EMTs on the scene were able to open an airway and stabilize the ...

The Georgia Kill-a-Watt Challenge

The Governor's Energy Challenge has partnered with Georgia Public Library Services to offer Georgia residents an opportunity to measure the energy consumption of appliances throughout their home and to take steps to reduce their electricity consumption and lower their utility bills. The Kill-a-Watt meter is compatible with any electrical outlet and is used to assess both the efficiency and the actual consumption of standard home appliances. The LCD display measures consumption by the Kilowatt-hour (just ...

Man severely burned in house fire

At approximately 7:15 p.m. Newton County Fire received a call for a house fire on Ga. Highway 36 across from Campbell Road.

Holiday weekend ‘quite uneventful’

According to local law enforcement officials the Labor Day weekend - Friday through Monday - was a quiet one. The Newton County Sheriff's Department reported four DUI arrests, two underage drinking arrests and one arrest for public intoxication. Only one accident with injuries was reported and occurred at the intersection of Ga. Highway 142 and U.S. Highway 278.

The women in charge

Taking over: Newton Medical Center Auxiliary recently elected a new president and president-elect. The president-elect is Val Hampton, left, and this year's president is Frances Rogers.

11 names in the mix for 5th Alcovy judge

Names have continued to come in for the fifth judge position for the local Alcovy Judicial Circuit, and as of late Tuesday, the nomination deadline, 11 candidates had been nominated. The Alcovy Circuit public defender and district attorney were both nominated, along with nine local attorneys throughout Newton and Walton counties:

Top Elk

Almon community resident Larry Capes was elected president of the Georgia Elks Association in June at the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks annual state convention at Jekyll Island.

Covington community bike ride

This Labor Day Weekend gear up, get on your bike and join the Covington Community Bike Ride - a four mile route through Covington's historic neighborhoods. Whether you are an enthusiast or a casual rider, everyone is welcome.

20 years of cheer

Family fun: Approximately 1,250 General Mills employees and their families gathered at the cereal production plant Saturday to celebrate the plant's 20th year in operation. The employees and their families enjoyed an afternoon of plant tours, inflatables, music, food, and a special appearance by the Cheerios racecar.

The Artful Harvest

From Sept. 4 through Sept. 28, Southern Heartland Arts, Inc. and United Bank are hosting Artful Harvest, the annual fine art show and exhibit at the Southern Heartland Arts gallery. This year, over 140 paintings, sculptures, photographs and other art were received by the gallery.

Qualifying week ends; five council seats contested

Qualifying week for city councils in Newton County officially ended Friday afternoon and only a handful of seats are being contested, including one in Covington, Porterdale and Oxford and two seats in Newborn, including a three-way race for mayor.

Fire Commissioner presents reward check to local citizen

John Oxendine, Georgia Insurance and Safety Commissioner, and Bud Ousborn of the Georgia Arson Control Board traveled to Newton County Fire Station No. 1 Thursday to present a reward check to the NCFD and Newton County Sheriff's Department, who accepted the $6,500 for an anonymous citizen whose tip led to the arrest and conviction of four arsonists.

Labor Day traffic expected to be heavy

The 78-hour Labor Day holiday travel period begins this Friday evening at 6 p.m., and traffic on Georgia roads is expected to be heavy. Colonel Bill Hitchens, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said a number of local events across the state will contribute to make for a busy holiday period.