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Ready to show their skills
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Miranda Sain
Published: Apr 13, 2012, 12:14 AM

More than 500 local youth and young adults will participate in the Newton County Special Olympics.

In Newton County, the athletes train and compete in sports such as basketball, volleyball, softball, tennis, soccer, bowling, roller skating, horseback riding, power lifting, golf, field and track, developmental sports and wheelchair activities.

The Special Olympics is a year-round sports training program for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through the program, the participants develop physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence and a positive self image.

A parade will be held to kick off the week-long event at the Sharp Learning Center on Monday, April 30, at 10:30 a.m. The parade will pass by the Newton County Administration building and the Covington square. The Opening Ceremonies will be held at Sharp field at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, May 1, the elementary-aged athletes will compete from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Sharp field. On Wednesday, May 2, middle school and high school-aged athletes and those 21 or older will compete at 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Sharp field.

The Closing Ceremonies will be held on Friday, May 4 at 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Sharp Learning Center.

There will be entertainment for the athletes between events.

The event is still looking for volunteers to help with the event. If you are interested, please contact Lynda Reagan at Reagan.lynda@newton.k12.ga.us.
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.