By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Airport Road being repaired for new school
County to get second roundabout
Placeholder Image

Flint Hill Elementary is scheduled to open Aug. 4, but Airport Road needs several improvements before it will be able to handle approximately 1,935 vehicles per day, including dozens of buses.

The county is scrambling to get the road ready, because it didn't realize how extensive of repairs would be needed. Chairman Kathy Morgan said the county and school board did not get a traffic study done until late last year.

"The traffic study came back and said it was not safe," Morgan said. "It was more shocking than anticipated."

The Newton County Board of Commissioners approved the first phase of repairs Tuesday night, which will widen the entrance to Airport Road from Ga. Highway 142 and add a short turning lane. The $25,000 repair will be done by public works, with the $12,000 worth of materials being paid for by 2011 SPLOST funds.

The county will have to hire a deputy to direct traffic during peak school hours until the Airport Road and Ga. 142 intersection can be widened and realigned, County Engineer Tom Garrett said Tuesday. The intersection widening is expected to start later this year and be completed in early 2012 and will also be paid for by 2011 SPLOST money.

All of airport road will have to be widened and rehabbed during the 2012 summer school break so that the road will be able to withstand the constant weight of school buses.

The county will also get a second roundabout, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 and Ga. Highway 142 South, sometime within the next two years.

The state will pay for the construction and the county will pay for lighting and maintenance, based on an agreement approved Tuesday by The Newton County Board of Commissioners.

The county currently pays a sheriff's office deputy to direct traffic at the intersection on Sundays when the numerous churches in the area let out.

Only drivers coming from Ga. 142 have to stop at the intersection. About 12,450 cars drive on that stretch of U.S. 278 every day, and 6,790 travel on Ga. 142, according to Garrett.

The board also approved a 75-cent fee being added to the cost of prepaid wireless phone in Newton County.

The fee is part of a state law that will take effect Jan. 1. It will be collected like sales tax and distributed to 911 centers based on the population size they serve.

Mike Smith, director of the 911 center, said he did not know how much his center would receive in revenue, but said he hoped it would eventually reduce the amount of money paid by the city and county to operate the center.

Eastside High School announces Top 10 graduates for Class of 2025
eastside top 10

Eastside High School has announced the names of the top ten graduates of the Class of 2025. Leading the way are valedictorian, Ian White, and salutatorian, Malachi Scharf. Each of the top ten graduates have exciting prospects ahead of them as they prepare for life after high school.

Eastside High School’s 2025 Top 10 Graduates are:

• Ian White—The valedictorian, Ian plans to attend college and obtain a doctorate in chemical engineering. He selected Mr. Elijah Clark as his top teacher.

• Malachi Scharf—The salutatorian, Malachi plans to major in chemical engineering at Georgia Tech. He chose Mr. Michael Poor as his favorite teacher.

ehs val and sal
Malachi Scharf (left) and Ian White (right) are Eastside High School’s 2025 Salutatorian and Valedictorian. - photo by Courtesy of Newton County School System

• Kaiden Blazina—Kaiden plans to attend Georgia College and State University to study biology with plans to become an anesthesiologist or a missionary. Kaiden selected Mrs. Haley Dawkins as his honored teacher.

• Abby Malcom—Abby will be attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall to major in agribusiness. Her goal is to run a floral business. She selected Ms. Sara Beth Hammond as her top teacher.

• Shelby Moore—Shelby plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to pursue a degree in agricultural education. She selected Ms. Alisa Echols as her top teacher.

• Annalie Parker—Annalie will attend Georgia College & State University with plans to obtain a doctorate and pursue a career in the scientific field. She selected Dr. Catrina Pollard as her favorite teacher.

• Chandler Shurtz—Chandler plans to attend Georgia Tech to study industrial engineering. He selected Mrs. Kelly Elder as his honored teacher.

• Robby Thomas, Jr.—Robby will attend Georgia Tech to study aerospace engineering and astrophysics. His goal is to work for NASA. Robby chose Ms. Kayla Stoddard as his honored teacher.

• Anna Underwood—Anna is attending Georgia State Perimeter to study her core classes with plans to transfer to the University of Georgia. Her career goal is to become an elementary school teacher. She selected Mr. Eric Adams as her top teacher.

• Benjamin Weaver—Benjamin is attending Newberry College to play soccer and study in their pre-vet program before moving on to veterinary school. He selected Mr. Caleb Watson as his honored teacher