Travis: How do teachers savor their summer? Let’s count the ways

In just a few days, the school year for Newton County children will be over. We'll see pictures of them rushing out of the schools' doors, cheering.

Yarbrough: They’re schools, not businesses, as teachers know well

Dear Public School Teachers in Georgia:

McCoy: Where am I? Brain is not playing fair

It's not cool to keep silent

I remember the first time I ran away from home. I was in sixth grade and I had been wronged in some way. I was sure my parents loved my sister more or denied me some privilege, and I was having none of that. I stayed home when my parents left for work, skipped school, packed a bag and took my bike to this little secluded spot by the river, thinking that was an awesome place to live. I was home before my parents.

Credit report coding trips up buyers

Are large numbers of homeowners who have negotiated short sales with lenders at risk because of a startling omission in the American credit system? Do their credit reports and scores indicate that they were foreclosed upon, rather than having negotiated a mutually agreeable resolution with their lenders?

Sometimes, perspective changes things

Single and lonely in a new neighborhood, a guy invites his neighbors to a drop-in party. With ample food and drink, he sits alone as party time comes and goes.

Who's teaching students to hate U.S.?

Brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who are accused of setting the bombs that exploded at the Boston Marathon, attended the University of Massachusetts. Maybe they hated our nation before college, but if you want lessons on hating America, college attendance might be a good start. Let's look at it.

Where am I? Brain isn't playing fair

Last week, while out of town and staying in a hotel, I had a most exasperating experience.

Property tax proposal doesn’t add up

The word tax is a three-letter word that might as well be a four-letter word these days.

Cushman: Crisis management

My graduate course in crisis management was the 2012 Republican presidential primaries as a senior advisory and national media surrogate for Newt Gingrich.

Crosswalk confusion is rampant

I try to walk at least five days or more a week for close to an hour.

Dalton mayor mulls run against Deal

David Pennington, the mayor of Dalton, is making noises about challenging incumbent Gov. Nathan Deal in the 2014 Republican primary. Say what?

Carter: Character, integrity are true pillars of society

I was conversing with a couple of friends this week, each of whom expressed frustration and disappointment at having been wronged recently in a business transaction.

McCoy: Men, watch your step at weddings

If you're a man who's been invited to a wedding, you need to heed my advice so you know what to do at these alien affairs.

How home sellers shoot themselves in the foot

With full-fledged sellers' markets underway in dozens of metropolitan areas around the country, new research has found curious statistical patterns emerging: Even in cities where listings get multiple offers within days or hours, significant numbers of homes are sitting on the market for six months, 12 months or more with no takers.

Yarbrough: Political landscape unchanged by weather

Last week you would have thought we were living in two different states. North of the Gnat Line, it seemed like Siberia. Even possums and yard dogs were hugging each other trying to stay warm.

Latarski: Responsible justice

Even before 'Taps' faded from Georgia State Trooper Chadwick LeCory's funeral people were wondering how Gregory Favor, a man with an extensive criminal record, could be out of jail to - allegedly - perpetrate such an act.

Cushman: Power of prayer crosses party lines

It's the third consecutive day that we have been snowed in. I had thought that I would have time to read, reflect and get organized while my two children frolicked in the snow. Instead, my days have been filled with cooking meals, cleaning up and doing laundry after changing wet, dirty, snowy clothes into wearable garments. We have gone through almost 3 gallons of milk making hot chocolate.

Harwell: Taken for Granted

There's a scene in the epic World War II film, "Saving Private Ryan," that always gets me. The Tom Hanks character, Capt. Miller, at D-Day plus three, having endured 45 of his men killed and 90 wounded knocking out Nazi artillery pieces, has been summoned to company headquarters, away from the action, for reassignment. While awaiting orders, the battle-weary captain takes in the surroundings. Nearby, a soldier casually shaves with water heated over ...

Durusau: You get what you pay for

The recent snow-followed-by-ice storm was unusual for our area. What wasn't unusual was the wall-to-wall news coverage. News coverage noticed that the interstates and streets were not being cleared and that cars and large trucks were stuck on icy roads for hours on end. The reporters did ask elected officials and others why prevention and clean-up weren't faster. And they got the usual litany of responses that it was a lack ...

Giddens: Snow makes for wet blanket

Kids and canines love snow. Cats and codgers like myself have less use for it. Our Maine coon cat, Hades, ran out the back door to our home Sunday night when I was looking out at the falling ice pellets covering our deck. He knows he's not supposed to go out at night (possums here are twice his size), and he thought he'd pulled off some great escape, until halfway down ...

Yarbrough: Faster not always better

To Nicholas Wansley and Brian and Thomas Yarbrough: If my abacus is working properly, this is the 12th year I have dispensed some grandfatherly advice to you in the hopes that something I tell you will be helpful as you step out into a world that looks a lot more complicated than the one I encountered at your age. When I first started this annual correspondence, you were learning to ride ...

Business not as usual for Congress

"My first memory of a congressional swearing in dates to Jan. 3, 1979, when members of the 96th Congress took the oath. My father, Newt Gingrich, was among them. After losses in 1974 and 1976, he had finally won the seat for Georgia's 6th Congressional District, to become the sole Republican congressman or senator from Georgia.

Politically incorrect and proud

And a pleasant Sunday morning to one and all. I'll make this one short, sweet, simple and to the point.

Morgan: Sleepless, but in good company

It's a good thing I'm writing this column on deadline after a rare good night's sleep. You would have found me in a groggy state and bad mood otherwise.

Giddens: Content worth registering for

We here at The Covington News strive to be your go-to source for what's happening around Newton County.

Yarbrough: Bad marks for teacher evaluation

Oh great. Now, the Obama administration is getting involved in public education in Georgia.

Dreaming big for 2011

Here we are, ringing in yet another New Year. It's time for the annual wringing of hands at remembrances of ironclad resolutions made 12 months ago which somehow went unfulfilled. I planned to drop 60 pounds in 2010, but the scales report a 10-pound gain. The scales are probably wrong, after all, they're made in China. Obviously, something was lost in translation, although my girth is evidence of what was not. ...

Of clutter, leftovers and loose ends

If you're really into organization, if you're really into time management, if you really believe that "to everything there is a time and a season," then your Christmas decorations are back in storage in the attic, the Christmas tree has been tagged for the chipper, thank-you notes have been written, and the refrigerator is sparkling and clean, nary a leftover to be found.

Pull the plug and start anew

Good grief! I haven't gotten used to writing 2010 yet and 2011 is here.