Rain doesn’t dampen Firehouse 5K

The weather provided just enough precipitation to cool off the approximately 370 runners participating in the 4th Annual Firehouse 5K and 1-mile fun run, beginning at the Conyers Street Gym Saturday.

Holding court

Each week, The Covington News will bring you pictures of Newton County residents playing the sports that keep them in shape. This week, we're at City Pond Park, where some Newton County families take to the tennis courts for some training between the lines.

Phil Peppers Golf Tourney winners

The Advanced Disposal golf team of Social Circle took first place in the annual Phil Peppers Golf Tourney May 3, hosted by the Social Circle Lions Club.

Indian Creek Open at Ashton Hills

The Indian Creek Open is back. After a one-year hiatus, the tournament returns to Ashton Hills for the 10th time. Traditionally, the Nema-sponsored Indian Creek Open has been the largest and most successful golf tournament to be held each year in Newton County. The tournament is scheduled to be held on June 8-9.

Meet The Oaks' pro Lisa Vaught

The Oaks Golf Course's new golf professional Lisa Vaught answered some questions with The Covington News about what she can bring to the course and Newton County.

Deal signs youth bill

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia joined dozens of states Tuesday with a law aimed at educating parents and coaches about the risks of youth concussions and placing restrictions on when a young athlete can return after suffering a serious head injury.

A season of new beginnings

This is my favorite time of year, a season of new beginnings.

Rice is paying it back

Scott Baize was such an important part of Jaime Rice's youth, she decided to follow in his footsteps.

Break off the winter golf rust

Now that the weather is starting to change and the Masters is right around the corner, it's time to get back into golf.

Mainor has done it all at RYSA

Foy Mainor started playing soccer with the then two-year old Rockdale Youth Soccer Association in 1974 at a time when fields needed to be mowed by parents before kids could play and there was no centralized mega complex, yet alone professional academy coaches to lead the way or semiprofessional home-team players to root for.

Eastside rallies for fifth straight

Eastside was tested during Wednesday's 9-7 win over Walnut Grove, trailing throughout, except for when it counted at the end.

Hall of Fame coming to Newton County

Ron Bradley, B.C. Crowell, Betty Faith Jaynes, Jake Reed and Dale Carter are just some of the athletes who became big names in the sports world after becoming great in Newton County.

Collegiate lineup encourages learning

Young athletes can learn the basics of the game from their coaches and parents, but some lessons are best learned from watching it done by experienced hands.

Y gets Black's expertise

Casey Black has accomplished much, but what he's done for the area's soccer players is on a whole new level.

Newton Recreation Partners with United Gym

Best in the biz

The upstart Oxford Orioles Baseball Club ended its fall baseball season this recently by winning the nation's Baseball Fall State Championship at Victor C. Lord Park in Winder.

Big night for Eastside, Alcovy

It was a big night Friday for two of the three local football teams. Eastside defeated Morgan County 48-7 to win its second straight Region 8-AAA championship while Alcovy secured its first trip to the state layoffs with a 30-0 win over Forest Park.

Champs again

Veterans Memorial Middle School was crowned NewRoc champion Thursday night after defeating the Ray Davis Middle School Eagles 14-8 at Homer Sharp Stadium. It's the generals' fourth straight NewRoc championship.

Wolverine Field dedication draws former Cousins' players

Thursday evening in Newton County felt like football weather. The temperature outside was right, the time of year was right, and at Wolverine Field there was something every football team thrives on - spirit; the spirit of dozens of graduates of R.L. Cousins High School who were there to witness a dream become a reality. Once only a field of dust and rocks, what was unveiled Thursday was a thing of beauty. Football originally began ...

Piranhas in the water

The Covington YMCA Piranhas wrapped up their summer swimming season by taking second place at the Rockdale Swimming League championship in June. After taking the championship in 2008, the Piranhas finished in the runner-up position at the six-team meet and compiled a 3-2 record.

Send the Troups

For the past week, 16 all-star teams from around the state competed in the Dixie Boys Majors sate tournament at City Pond Park, and once the dust finally settled, Troup County National was the last team standing. Troup County earned the championship trophy and a ticket to the Dixie Boys World Series after defeating Albany Dixie 14-4 Friday and then 12-2 Saturday.

Walk-off HR sends Newton Southern home

While Newton County National was pounding West Augusta into submission, the Newton County American All-Stars were one field away in a battle to stave off elimination. It didn't happen as they lost to Albany American 7-4 on a walk-off home run in the sixth inning.

Mixed results

After winning on Sunday to stay alive in the Dixie Youth State Tournament, both Newton County American and Newton County National had their backs against the wall again on Monday. Only one team left leave City Pond victorious as Newton American lost to Albany American in a 7-4 heartbreaker, while Newton National trampled over West Augusta 15-4 in four innings, advancing them to the next round of the tournament.

Down and out

The Newton County Dixie Boys All-Star team saw its season come to an end Tuesday as it lost to the Troup County All-Stars 10-4 in the final round of the state tournament. Troup County will now represent Georgia in the 13-year-old Dixie Boys World Series while Newton County will have to wait for another shot next year.

League of their own

Baseball teams around the county have been pretty successful as of late. You can add the Pee Wee (7-8 year-old) American Division All Star Team to the list as the latest team from the county to win big. The Newton County All-Stars captured the state championship Saturday at Suwannee, capping a perfect 7-0 run through the Dixie Youth State Tournament.

National Major Division team moves on to state tournament

 The Newton County National Major (ages 11-12) Division All-Star team dominated play with a 49 to nine run differential in four games on their way to becoming District Champions in the Dixie Youth district tournament at the Warner Robbins National League Field of Dreams baseball park.  The Dixie Youth Baseball District tournament was a five-team double elimination bracket which included two Newton County teams (the National Division and the Southern Division) along with teams from ...

Winning attitude

 The Newton County National Minor League All Stars (9/10 year olds) came from behind to win the Dixie Youth Baseball district championship, scoring six runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning.  The team beat the Newton County American All Stars in a game played in Forsyth by a final score of 7-6.