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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. » Read More

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? » Read More

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. » Read More

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. » Read More

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

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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. » Read More

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

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

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. » Read More

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

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

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. » Read More

Attention, Newton County mothers and your adult daughters: When you’re out and about shopping, picking out spring plants for your garden, or maybe enjoying lunch and a little family gossip, do not be alarmed if you notice me lurking about. I have neither sinister nor larcenous intent. » Read More

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. » Read More

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. » Read More

One definition given for insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. » Read More

Dear Editor: » Read More

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

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

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. » Read More

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

Cook, author and TV personality Nathalie Dupree is long gone from these parts, having been carted away to endlessly charming Charleston by husband Jack Bass, chronicler of Southern history. Still, she retains devoted fans and many friends here since she ran "Nathalie’s at Mt. Pleasant Village" and lived in Social Circle. » Read More