Residents flocked to the square Thursday night for Covington's annual Lighting of the Courthouse event, and Covington Councilwoman Janet Goodman, City Manager Steve Horton and seven longtime bus drivers for the Newton County School System were named this year's "Shining Lights."

The bus drivers were Pam Ballard, Sandra Hilley, Lynda Holmes, Joe Flanigan, Shirley Flanigan, Tina Parker and Patricia Wynn, who have more than 200 combined years of service to the school system.