CLOSINGS (this list is being constantly updated):
Newton County Schools - Newton County Schools will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday Jan. 29. Due to inclement weather all Newton County Schools will be closed, Sherri Davis-Viniard, NCSS Director of Public Relations said in a new release Tuesday. No employees should report.
Newton County Schools began early dismissal Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 11:15 a.m. for elementary schools, with high schools letting out at 12:15 p.m. and middle schools letting out at 1:15 p.m. There will be no after school academic programs or extra-curricular activities tonight.
Newton County government - Newton County's offices will be closed Wednesday because of the weather, including the judicial center and Recreation Commission facilities.
The county's offices closed at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College - All campuses of Georgia Piedmont Technical College, including both Covington campuses are closed Wednesday. All activities are canceled, according to President Jabari Simama.
Newton County Health Dept. - The Newton County Health Department, as well as those in Gwinnett and Rockdale counties, will be closed Wednesday.
The Mystic Grill - The Mystic Grill is closed for Tuesday evening and will reopen Wednesday.
Square Perk Cafe - Square Perk Cafe is closing at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
County Planning Commission - Tonight's Newton County Planning Commission meeting has been canceled because of the weather. All business is being moved to the Feb. 25 meeting.
"We just felt better not to have that tonight," Ellis said. "The flurries (falling) prove something is going to happen."
The Covington Family Y - The Covington Y is closing at 3 p.m. and there will be no group exercise classes or kidzone tonight, according to the Y's Facebook page.
Newton County Library System - All Newton County library locations are closed Tuesday because of the weather.
Amici's Italian Cafe - Amici's is closing Tuesday. The restaurant is planning to reopen for normal hours tomorrow.
"Amici has made a decision for the safety of our staff and customers to close the stores tonight and wait out what is to come. As it is supposed to warm up around noon tomorrow, we are scheduled to open for regular business hours, but please stay tuned for any changes," according to the site's Facebook page.
The Covington News - The Covington News will close its offices to the public around 2 p.m. today. The news staff will continue to put out reports throughout the afternoon and evening. If you have any power outages or accidents to reports call 770-787-6399 or email news@covnews.com. Also send us all those snow pictures.
ROADS
Covington-Newton County 911 is reporting road hazards on:
• Rocky Plains Road
• County Road 212 at the Alcovy River bridge
• Henderson Mill at the bridge
• Old Oxford Road at the bridge over I-20
• Emory Street at the bridge over I-20
• Access Road at the bridge in front of Riverside Estates Mobile Home Park
Earlier reported roads with hazards were:
• Hazelbrand Road in the area of the trash compactor
• Oak Hill Road near the recycling center
• Christian Circle and Christian Road
• Rocky Plains Road at the bridge
• Gum Creek Road and Edwards Road
• Mills Drive near Benedict
• Flat Shoals Road and Stephens Drive
The 911 Center is also reporting that state, county and city of Covington crews will be working throughout the night spreading salt and gravel on the roadways.
“Please stay well back from the spreaders and slow down as they approach,” the 911 Center said on its Facebook page.
WEATHER - (Winter storm warning in effect)
4 p.m. - Snow continues to fall, covering Newton County in about 1 -1/2 inch.
1 p.m. - Reports of falling snow are coming in from most parts of the county now, including downtown Covington, Oxford and along Almon and Salem roads, Ga. highways 36 and 81 and others. Conyers and Rockdale County are also reporting snow.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for a wintry mix, including snow and sleet, until 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Snow accumulation could be 1-2 inches with around a half inch of sleet accumulations.
Snow is expected to continue through Tuesday night with sleet mixing in at times. The heaviest precipitation is Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Roads and sidewalks are expected to become dangerous to travel and residents are urged to use caution and avoid unnecessary travel. Drivers are urged to keep an extra flashlight and food and water in their vehicle in the case of an emergency.
Northern winds are expected to be 10-15 m.p.h.
11:21 a.m. - Winter storms are expected to come to Newton County before 2 p.m., with snow and sleet started falling throughout north central Georgia around 11 a.m.
Reports had some snow falling on Almon Road, Oxford, Salem Road, Stewart Church Road, Olde Town Conyers and more.
