We hear you

A few years ago, we made a decision to stop the Sunday comics and cease publishing an evening TV guide.

Impressive improvement

It is gratifying to see the 2012 graduation rate in Newton County schools grow so rapidly from the low point it dropped to just three short years ago.

Defective government

"Hold on, my friends, to the Constitution and to the Republic for which it stands. Miracles do not cluster, and what has happened once in 6,000 years, may not happen again. Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there will be anarchy throughout the world."

New superintendent

Graduates

County budget

The Newton County Board of Commissioners has a tough task in front of them as usual, deciding how to make expenses meet revenues, but we'll say what we've said for each of the past few years - this is still not the time to raise taxes.

Some thoughts

Last week, two young lives were snuffed out on Interstate 20. A 19-year-old and a 7-month-old baby will never know what it's like to grow old.

New superintendent

On Tuesday night, the Newton County Board of Education will choose Dr. Gary Mathews' successor as superintendent of the Newton County School System.

Mother’s Day

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."

Making the grade

In Wednesday's paper, we ran a story explaining what the new state school assessment model means to students and other citizens of Newton County.

Good moves

The Covington City Council has made two practical decisions that could contribute to economic growth in the future.

The morning-after pill

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, 1.3 million babies a year are aborted in the U.S. That is a staggering number.

Social Circle

If you were driving through the main street in Social Circle and blinked twice, you might miss the physical heart of the city.

Rotary

A sure sign of spring here in Covington and Newton County is the sweet smell of Vidalia onions.

Development

There's no question we've had a successful run of economic development deals in Newton County over the past couple of years.

Go Eagles

All good things come to an end, we are told. The student athletes who bleed green and silver playing for the Eastside Eagles football team are proving that axiom wrong.

Our Thoughts... A top-notch teen

There is always a need for blood donors during the holiday season, and that need always increases.

Protect you and yours

Last weekend, a tragic fire at a home on College Avenue in Covington cost Aubrey Whelchel his life.

The power of stories

The power of stories to transcend time, culture and language is unequaled. Think of the Iliad, written over 3,000 years ago by Homer. Current movie versions have Brad Pitt as Achilles and Diane Kruger as Helen of Troy. You can download the movie to your iPod and watch it during your lunch break at work.

Thankful through thick and thin

You know it's the holidays when the Publix commercials start playing - over and over and over.

Our thoughts...Tomorrow is Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Folks will be traveling over hill and dale to spend time with relatives and friends, and others will be enjoying time at home. Still others will be providing Thanksgiving dinner and caring for less fortunate people in our community. Some will think there is nothing to be thankful for this year. If that thought has crossed your mind, let us offer the following ...

Lighting the way

We knew he was a great man when we featuring him as one of our 10 Men of Newton for 2008. Apparently many others know what a selfless, jovial person Flemmie Pitts is. Congratulations Mr. Pitts on being the honoree to light the Historic Courthouse in a special holiday tradition for Covington.

Our Thoughts... Hoop dreams

If you have some extra time on your hands, may we suggest that you consider working with some of the children in our community?

A dream is a wish your heart makes

Years ago Billie and Louis Van Dyke had a dream and they opened the Blue Willow Inn, and with a little help from the late Lewis Grizzard and the best home-style cooking you will find anywhere the restaurant became a success. The inn had more than 200,000 visitors last year alone. Many who also spent money in Social Circle and Newton County.

Our thoughts...Seamless interaction

On Wednesday, Newton County's new OpenSky Radio Network officially opened. The who's who of Newton County law enforcement and public safety officials were in attendance. State Homeland Security Director Charlie English praised the county's state-of-the-art-operation, which allows every law enforcement and safety organization in the county seamlessly and instantly to communicate with each other instantly.

Our thoughts...Enter the FanZone

If you've already stumbled across our new sports Web site, you might have initially thought you accidentally clicked on a site for professional sports. You didn't. For the past couple of months our Web and sports staff have worked diligently to prepare a comprehensive and interactive resource for athletes and fans of Newton County's prep sports.

Our thoughts...OOPs

In our editorial saying thanks and hello to our local politicians we left out two outstanding officials. Bob Wheeler chose not to run after serving 20 plus years as the coroner of Newton County. He performed his duties with professionalism. He will be missed.

Our thoughts...Protecting our heritage

 The Newton County Board of Commissioners created a new historic preservation commission last week. We support this decision wholeheartedly.

Our thoughts...Holiday cheer

This past year has been a year that most of us would like to forget.

Our thoughts...Dysfunctional government

Dysfunctional government   For the past year The Covington News has covered the Porterdale City Council with much disappointment. In that time we have watched the city dismiss a capable city clerk and downtown manager as well as run off a dedicated city council member and now a city manager who has worked for the city for more than a decade.  The city council ...