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Animal Control is now Animal Services
Animal services
Commissioners voted to change Newton County Animal Control to Newton County Animal Services at their Jan. 21 meeting. Officials said new name more accurately reflects the services offered at the facility on Lower River Road.. - photo by Darryl Welch

Covington, Ga. - The Newton County Board of commissioners voted Jan. 21 to change the name of the county's animal control department from Newton County Animal Control to Newton County Animal Services. 

The department's Director Cindy Wiemann told commissioners the new name is more reflective of the services being offered these days by animal control departments around the country.

"For the last, probably, 15-20 years, it's been a growing trend across the nation to change from animal control to animal services, which truly reflects more on what animal control does," she said, "We're no longer the dog catchers. Right now, we've really been promoting adoptions, transfers to rescues. Last year, our euthanasia rate dropped to 30 percent, which is a drastic change over where it was two years ago.

"We're promoting spay and neutering programs, so the change to animal services truly reflects what we're trying to achieve for Newton County. Additionally, with the shelter renovation and addition, I just felt it would be a really good time to update and project what animal control does in a more positive way."

District 2 Commissioner Demond Mason said he supports the change.

"This is one of the things that I asked for last year - to move from control to services," he said, "because I think that it does bring more positive reinforcement to our community to let them know that we're not here just to euthanize. We are here to provide service to our community."

 Commissioners approved the change 5-0.







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