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Newton Trails celebrates ribbon cutting of Alcovy River Bridge
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The Alcovy River Bridge is now open after a years-long process. - photo by Evan Newton
“The story is not ending. It continues to grow.”
Duane Ford

A new bridge in Newton County has opened a trail of possibilities. On Saturday, Nov. 16, Newton Trails unveiled the official opening of the Alcovy River Bridge for all to enjoy.

The bridge that overlooks the Alcovy River is a crucial piece of the Cricket Frog Trail which spans 14.25 miles from Turner Lake Road to Ziegler Road. With the opening, trailgoers can enjoy the serene view of the river while crossing the trail.

Around 100 were in attendance during the Nov. 16 ribbon cutting ceremony including Newton Trails chair Duane Ford. 

“There’s some people in this community who have been waiting for this moment for 30 years and we’re all excited about it,” Ford said.

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The origin of the bridge can be traced all the way back to March 2016 when a lease agreement was finalized for 14.9 miles of abandoned railroad right-of-way. This was the setup for what would become the Cricket Frog Trail. 

In August of 2021, a contract with the PATH foundation was agreed upon for the engineering and design for the renovation of the Alcovy River Bridge. Later that year, Allen Morris of stability engineering delivered the design to Newton Trails.

Two years later it was announced that the Newton County Board of Commissioners agreed to invest $400,000 of SPLOST money into the project. Speaking on behalf of the county was chairman Lanier Sims who signified the importance of what this bridge will offer to those using it.

“This bridge is more than just a structure, it’s a link that unites our community, provides access to nature and promotes healthier living,” Sims said. “This project is a testament for what we can achieve together.”

Funding for the project was put over the top when tech giant Meta announced it would donate $300,000 to the completion of the trail.

Head of community development Katie Comer, who originally presented the check last year, returned to deliver some words of her own.

“In 2018, we vowed to be strong community partners, supporting the long term vitality of the communities of where we live and where we work,” Comer said. “I can’t think of a better partnership then the Newton Trails and the work that we’re doing together to truly connect all communities around this.”

A bid from Excellere Construction in Dec. 2023 was accepted, beginning the construction process. Finally in October, construction was complete and finalized when the Newton County transportation department finished the last unpaved sections leading up to the bridge.

This completion is just the latest in the 30-year history of Newton Trails. The nonprofit created in the 90s by Norbert Thompson, Dr. Bill Murdy and John Degoinia have produced miles of trails all throughout the county for the community to enjoy. 

But Ford and the Newton Trails board are not done yet.

That work includes an extension of the Cricket Frog trail 0.6 miles out to Newborn. The group is also exploring ways to connect Oxford through the Cricket Frog trail via a bridge on I-20 on Highway. 81. There are plans to also connect the Eastside Trail to the Cricket Frog trail, according to Ford.

The nonprofit also seeks to get the trail system out to Porterdale, with Ford proclaiming that it will happen “someday.”

While Ford thanked the many in attendance – as well as the heaps of trail users over the years – he made an affirmative proclamation about the future of Newton Trails.

“The story is not ending,” Ford said. “It continues to grow.”

Oxford woman shares experience battling colon cancer
Leni Longino
Leni Longino - photo by Contributed Photo

Leni Longino never missed work as a customer service representative. That is until searing abdominal pain prompted her to go to the emergency room at Piedmont Newton Hospital one Friday last August.

She had had a few signs something was wrong in the months leading up to the ER visit. For example, her energy was so low that she would sometimes have to use her lunch break for a nap. But hearing the diagnosis at age 46 of colon cancer that had metastasized to her liver still shocked Longino.

“When I was in the emergency room with my friend, who had come to sit with me, I just looked at her and said, ‘Well, that’s a game changer!’” The face of the typical colon cancer patient is changing. According to the American Cancer Society, the rate of people being diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer under age 50 went up almost 2.5% per year between 2012 and 2021. Current guidance from the organization is for people at average risk for colon cancer to start regular screenings at age 45. But people with colorectal cancer in their family or people with a personal history of certain bowel-related conditions may want to start screening earlier.

“Screening guidelines from professional medical organizations are not as clear-cut for people with risk factors for colorectal cancer,” said gastroenterologist Michael Cheng, M.D., with Piedmont Physicians Gastroenterology Newton. “They are best interpreted for any individual by their doctor.”

Longino regrets that her first colonoscopy with Dr. Cheng was when she came to the ER. She said she does have a family history of cancer.

“No one wants to have a colonoscopy, but it’s really not that bad,” she said. “It’s worth it in the long run to not be sick.”

Her younger sisters took her advice and got colonoscopies, which confirmed they do not have cancer.

Longino just finished her 11th round of chemotherapy. She is winding down on infusions and will soon only need the chemotherapy given through a take-home pump. She has come to enjoy the team of nurses at Piedmont Newton.

“The infusion nurses are fantastic. That whole group over there is just a joy,” she said. “I’m so happy to not have to do that [sit for infusions], but I’m going to miss them!”

Radiation is up next. Once that is complete, Piedmont Clinic physician Evan Feldman, M.D., will perform surgery at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital to remove the mass in Longino’s colon.

Longino credits her positive attitude for getting to this point. One thing she is positive about: the access she has had to quality cancer care close to home. Piedmont Newton is just a five-minute drive from where she lives in Oxford, Ga.

“I have to go to Atlanta occasionally. I can’t imagine having to do that every time. It would be a nightmare,” she said.

Longino’s treatment progress is evident to her from the positive difference in how she feels after an infusion. There were times early on when she needed a wheelchair to leave Piedmont Newton. “Now I just be-bop out of there like ‘See you on Thursday,’” she said.

Her oncologist, Shanker Polsani, M.D., with Piedmont Physicians Medical Oncology Newton, seems pleased too.

“[Dr. Polsani] doesn’t sugar coat things,” Longino explained. “I can tell that he’s excited by my progress, and that helps me feel optimistic.”

On Saturday, April 26, Piedmont Newton is holding a benefit concert to support oncology services and programs at the hospital for patients like Leni Longino. Everyone is welcome and tickets can be purchased at give.piedmont.org/newtonconcert.