The very essences of the principles devoted to the founding of our country were steeped in the preservation of religious freedom. Our founding fathers fled their homes in Europe and England to find a land where they were free to worship God as they believed and pursue their lives as they wished in happiness and peace. They died to gain their freedom of religion. » Read More

Last year the Porterdale council passed tough improvements to its building code in order to go after landlords who do not keep their properties up. » Read More

To the editor: You were correct on page three of Wednesday's Covington News under the heading “Our Thoughts” when you stated “Tragic Weekend.” It was a horribly tragic accident; a life was taken. Mrs. Campbell was taken from her family and friends.  » Read More

“I’m not James Taylor,” laughs Mansfield’s singer/songwriter Johnny Roquemore, known more for his humorous, bluegrass-inspired compositions than the smooth ballads delivered by tweed-clad Taylor. Growing up in DeKalb County, Roquemore picked up an electric guitar at 14 and with a neighborhood band made some “big noise,” he recalled.  “All I ever wanted was an amp taller than me.” In college, he played frat parties in another band, but at the same time, he got hooked ... » Read More

Whew! That was close! I almost became a Baptist the other day. Not just any Baptist, but a (gulp!) Southern Baptist. » Read More

Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned fun? I’m here to tell you, friends. Nothing happened. Good, old-fashioned fun is waiting for you and your family right outside your back door. Not only can you have hours of fun together, but you can do it for free while getting (dare I say it?) exercise, too! Like some cosmic added bonus, you’ll all get to unplug from screen time — cell phones, television, computers, eReaders, iWhatevers. You can ... » Read More

On the rainy weekend a few weeks ago I indulged in some retail therapy — shopping. A rainy weekend with nothing to do seemed the perfect occasion to shop. I don’t know many women who dislike shopping, especially if they can score a bargain. » Read More

Sunday we ran a front page feature that told a story of an unseen volunteer in our community. Andre Johnson doesn’t receive accolades and his name and picture are not seen regularly. But Andre gives himself on daily basis to be a supportive mentor to a young man in need of such support. » Read More

Over the weekend there was more tragedy in our community than usual. A mother, a loving wife, was killed without warning in a tragic early-morning car accident. A young lady with her future ahead of her was forever hurt emotionally and physically in the same accident. » Read More

The economy was a mixed bag in 2011, and, truth be told, we didn't see the kind of economic activity to make us believe a major upswing is on the way. » Read More

The sweat somehow made the moment more real. There we were, standing on the stage at the Hilton Hotel in Downtown Columbia, S.C., on Saturday night with my dad, Newt Gingrich, celebrating his primary victory. It was the sweat rolling down the faces and dripping off the noses of the television cameramen, photographers, audience members and even those on stage celebrating that transformed the almost surreal scene into reality. » Read More

In case you missed this, a scientist, Leonid Ksanfomaliti, at the Space Research Institute of Russia's Academy of Science, announced he analyzed photographs from a 1982 probe of Venus and thinks they may reveal life on the planet. » Read More

We feel that over the last two years under the direction of Dr. Gary Mathews that our education system in Newton County has taken a progressive step forward. This has been a welcome occurrence not only for our parents but our business community as well. However, part of the new success we're seeing can be attributed to the administration of former school superintendant Dr. Steve Whatley. » Read More

Helping thwart crime in our community just got a little easier. In Wednesday’s issue, we reported on the Covington Police Department’s adoption of a new crime-fighting application called TipSubmit Mobile. Thanks to the CPD’s decision, everyone can anonymously turn in criminal behavior. » Read More

Wednesday on the sports page of The Covington News,  sports editor Josh Briggs wrote a column disagreeing with the building of a new football stadium for the Atlanta Falcons. You can read his column at covnews.com » Read More

To the editor:  » Read More

Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past couple of years, you know about predictions from some quarters that the world will end on Dec. 21, 2012.  That date marks the end of a 5,125-year cycle as calculated by the now dead Mayan culture that once inhabited parts of southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. While the Mayans themselves marked the end of one of their time cycles with celebration, many interpretations ... » Read More

Dr. Robert Daria’s tragic death Monday has rocked Newton County’s education community. His death has affected all of us that knew him, and his extended family at both Eastside High and Cousins Middle schools is coming to terms with their loss.  » Read More

Gas prices are rising at a rapid rate again after taking a dip last fall. It really doesn’t make practical sense why. » Read More

State Sen. Tommie Williams (R-Lyons), one of our two unelected lieutenant governors — Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) is the other — sent out a puff piece taking much credit for authoring a bill to require local school boards to consider a teacher’s “effectiveness,” not seniority, when getting rid of teachers. People both inside and outside state government tell me that Williams has solved a problem that doesn’t exist. Many school boards are already doing this. Seniority ... » Read More

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Friday we ran a sports story that reported there will be a special ceremony at the Newton High gym later this month to honor the 1965 state runner up Wolverines from R.L. Cousins High School. If you missed it you can see it at covnews.com. » Read More

For the second time in three months a majority of county supervisors, led by the county’s de facto head Commissioner Mort Ewing, voted to renew a county contract without putting it out for bid. » Read More

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