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Public invited to offer opinions of retail needs, wants
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You’ve shared your thoughts about Newton County’s lack of shopping and dining options for years with friends and on Facebook, but now is your chance to finally tell someone who can do something about it.

Dave Bernd, the county’s new commercial recruiter, is hosting a public information meeting to share the results of the county’s latest retail study and get public feedback; the meeting is at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 13 at The Center for Community Preservation and Planning, 2104 Washington St. SW, Covington.

Bernd will present the study -– a two-page overview of which can be seen at CovNews.com – and let attendees ask questions and then engage in a brainstorming session.

"I want to get the input of everybody going forward, including the challenges and where their heads (are) at (on the issue). I want to have a good roundtable discussion," Bernd said Saturday.

The latest retail study, developed by third-party contractor Marketek, is showing the county loses a potential $494.1 million in retail sales every year to businesses beyond its borders. That number has actually declined from studies in recent years, which estimated the county lost $750 million recently, but it shows the county still has a large void to fill.

Auto parts and dealers, general merchandise (department stores), apparel and accessories, restaurants and electronics, and appliances were the biggest areas of need, according to the study.

See the box that accompanies this article for the full breakdown. For more on the study, read the article "Newton County has big retail plans" at CovNews.com.

 Deals in the works

While Bernd couldn’t go into specifics, he said there are some prominent retail businesses taking a serious look at area shopping centers with vacancies.

The Covington Corners shopping center at the corner of Elm Street and U.S. Highway 278 has vacant space that most recently held Save-a-Lot grocery, while the Martin’s Crossing center, which houses Ingles, still has vacant room left from when Walmart anchored it.

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.

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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