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Local cyclists ride to provide
Ride benefits families of fallen officers
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Amber Pittman
Updated: May 14, 2010, 4:30 AM
Published: May 13, 2010, 9:16 PM

The Ride to Provide to benefit the Porterdale Police Department and to honor fallen officers has set their second annual bike ride for Saturday, Peace Officer’s Memorial Day.

Organized by Holly Cripps, wife to PPD Sgt. Jason Cripps, the day will begin with a brief ceremony and moment of silence for fallen officers all over the United States between 10:30 and 11 a.m. at the Historic Train Depot. A flag will be flown at half staff and "Taps" will be played. Afterward, the flag will be presented to PPD Chief Wayne Digby.

Riders will then leave and enjoy a 60-90 minute ride around the county and through the square, escorted by two motorcycle units from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and PPD. Riders will return to Porterdale where they are encouraged to enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants.

Throughout the day, door prizes will be given out including police flashlights, restaurant vouchers and a painting of a motorcycle by a local artist.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and is $25 per rider and $5 for passengers. Shirts are available for $10 and coffee and biscuits will be provided to those who register.

According to Cripps, the ride last year raised approximately $2,300 which went toward the purchase of bulletproof vests for PPD officers. This year funds raised will go to purchase safety equipment for the PPD

The PPD also has their annual Public Safety Day coming up in August and festivities for the Fourth of July.
April 3 crash kills two young adults, injures third
Newton County Sheriff Car---WEB
Kate Verity
Published: Apr 4, 2025, 10:29 PM

NEWTON COUNTY — Around 10 a.m. on Thursday, a head-on collision on Highway 212 left two young adults dead and a third hospitalized.

Joe Navarro, 21, was driving the vehicle and Breanna Smith, 18, was in the passenger seat. Katie New, 20, sat between them.

According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle lost control while going around a curve and crossed the centerline, where it collided head-on with a box truck. The crash report shows that their vehicle traveled another hundred feet after impact before coming to a stop. It spun, ended up facing the opposite direction on the shoulder of the opposite lane.

Navarro and Smith were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. New was airlifted to Grady Hospital. Her current condition is not known. 

Navarro, Smith and New were not believed to be wearing seatbelts when the collision occurred.

The driver of the box truck was not reported to have suffered any injuries.

This is an ongoing story. The News will post updates as they are made available.