Covington News

06/11/2024

"Moving so often at a young age had its frustrating moments, however, I also learned so much about a wide variety of people. I found it fascinating to watch my mom transform her style of storytelling to different cultures, and I began to love storytelling myself."

Meet one of our summer interns, Marco Bartkowiak.

COLUMN

Growing up, I lived all across the country. My mother is in the news business, so my family moved often as she received new opportunities in her career. Each city brought new lessons and challenges from Michigan to Texas to North Carolina to Georgia.

06/11/2024

"I always wanted to do something that could not only better my mindset but also my life."

Meet one of our summer interns, Jimarrion Manning.

COLUMN

As someone great once said “ Do something today that will please you in the future.” As someone great once said “ Do something today that will please you in the future.” My name is Jimarrion Manning, I attend Newton High School and Newton College and Career Academy. I always wanted to do som...

06/11/2024

"I found my love for journalism when I was young. Writing was always something I found interesting and intriguing."

Meet one of our summer interns, Jaylin Gunn.

COLUMN

My name is Jaylin Gunn. I attend Newton High School. I am a rising senior wanting to learn the procedures that it takes to be a successful journalist. My family originated from Monticello and Social Circle, but I have lived in Covington my whole life.

06/11/2024

Please contact us with any information regarding the whereabouts of this missing juvenile.

06/10/2024

Council members with the city of Covington voted 4-2 to increase stormwater fees, citing infrastructure problems.

STORY

Growing concerns about the city of Covington’s deteriorating stormwater infrastructure results in the council approving a utility rate increase. The rate will increase from $3 per Residential Equivalent Unit (REU) to $5.25 per REU with an additional $6 million in financial funding from bonds.

06/10/2024

Commissioners opted to object to an annexation request from the city of Porterdale at the June 4 meeting.

STORY

An annexation request from the city of Porterdale was objected to at June 4’s Newton County Board of Commissioners meeting. A petition filed by Porterdale to annex five parcels of land measuring 390.51 acres into the city was objected 4-0, with District 4 commissioner J.C. Henderson absent from th...

06/10/2024

Two Covington natives have been arrested nearly 100 miles away for attempting to smuggle drugs into a South Georgia prison.

STORY

Two Covington natives have been arrested nearly 100 miles away for attempting to smuggle drugs into a South Georgia prison.

06/07/2024

A Newton County teenager has been missing now for over a week.

STORY

On May 30, Newton County law enforcement was notified of missing juvenile Brianna Osburn. Osburn, a 17-year-old foster child, has been missing ever since.

06/07/2024

General Mills in Covington is being sued for alleged racial discrimination that has taken place for over 30 years.

STORY

Eight Black employees are suing multinational manufacturer General Mills for alleged racial discrimination that took place at the Covington plant. A class action lawsuit filed with a Georgia federal court on June 2 alleges a group within the company called the “Good Ole Boys” has created and mai...

06/06/2024

UPDATE: The closure of Benton Road in Newton County at West Bear Creek has been postponed, with a new date to be determined.

STORY

Benton Road in Newton County is closing at West Bear Creek for replacement of the bridge that was built in 1950.

06/06/2024

Newton County baseball and softball teams will have a new place to get extra swings in by the start of the 2024-25 school year.

STORY

Newton County baseball and softball teams will have a new place to get extra swings in by the start of the 2024-25 school year.In a meeting held on Feb. 27, the Newton County Board of Education unanimously approved a motion for Alcovy, Eastside and Newton high schools to receive new batting cages.

06/06/2024

Presented by Kaleb's Cause, Aubrey Adams and the Adams family were awarded $100,000 at the 2nd annual Towers Benefit car show.

STORY

It was an emotional scene on June 1 when spectators and car fanatics alike gathered together for the 2nd annual Towers Benefit car show.

06/05/2024

The Newton County Board of Education has made several hires going into the 2024-25 school year.

One of those new hires is from within, as Dr. Shannon Buff will be leaving Newton High School to become the executive director of school leadership for Newton County Schools.

STORY

During a special called meeting on Wednesday, the Newton County Board of Education made several hires to fortify its front office going into the 2024-25 school year. Perhaps the most surprising hire came internally, as Dr. Shannon Buff has been hired as the executive director of school leadership fo...

06/04/2024

Benton Road in Newton County is closing at West Bear Creek for replacement of the bridge that was built in 1950.

STORY

Benton Road in Newton County is closing at West Bear Creek for replacement of the bridge that was built in 1950.

06/04/2024

At the June 3 meeting, the city of Oxford passed their FY25 budget.

STORY

Following months of preparation, the city of Oxford has adopted its budget for fiscal year (FY)25.The city adopted the FY25 budget with a 4-0 vote, with only four out of the six council members in attendance at the June 3 meeting.

06/03/2024

On May 29, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced it has awarded Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) in Clarkston with a $347,888 grant for their “Strengthening High School Initiatives in Future Technology” project.

STORY

CLOn May 29, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced it has awarded Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) in Clarkston with a $347,888 grant for their “Strengthening High School Initiatives in Future Technology” project.

06/03/2024

🚨 MISSING JUVENILE (UPDATED) 🚨

On May 30, 2024, law enforcement was notified that Brianna Osburn was missing. She had not been seen since around 3:30 this afternoon on Lazy Lane Road. She is a foster child who was to be picked up today and put into a placement home. She was gone when the foster care agent came to get her.

Brianna has a history of cutting. She also has tattoos on her arm and on the left and right side of her chest. We are releasing this information due to updated photos that were provided to the Sheriff’s Office.

Please contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office if you have any information that can help locate Brianna.

06/03/2024

During his May 24 visit to Covington, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock came by The Covington News for an exclusive interview.

In the interview, Warnock discussed a number of topics including the Absolics PMT agreement, his legislative priorities and the current status of the United States Postal Service (USPS).

STORY

In his trip to Covington on May 24, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock made three key stops. The first was to Absolics Inc. to celebrate the recent memorandum agreement that will fund the semiconductor company for up to $75 million. The next stop was to award-winning Musulyn’s restaurant to enjoy some oxta...

06/03/2024

Three Newton County Schools (NCS) alumni recently graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York.

STORY

Three Newton County Schools (NCS) alumni recently graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York.Those three cadets who achieved this distinction are Kijana Knights, Israel Dixon and Quindrelin Hammonds.Knights and Dixon are both alumni of Newton High School, with both graduating...

05/31/2024

Woodstock Furniture and Mattress Outlet is now open in Covington.

STORY

The Aaron family, who founded Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet in 1988, is pleased to announce the opening of their largest satellite store in Covington, GA located at 9218 Hwy 278. Proudly “Georgia grown and employee owned”, the company operates several storefronts and a Distribution Cente...

05/31/2024

The day teachers, administrators and board members in Social Circle have been dreaming of for decades draws ever closer as crowds turned out Tuesday for the formal groundbreaking on the new Social Circle Elementary School (SCES).

STORY

The day teachers, administrators and board members in Social Circle have been dreaming of for decades draws ever closer as crowds turned out Tuesday for the formal groundbreaking on the new Social Circle Elementary School (SCES).

05/31/2024

🚨 MISSING JUVENILE 🚨

On May 30, 2024, law enforcement was notified that Brianna Osburn was missing. She had not been seen since around 3:30 this afternoon on Lazy Lane Road.

Brianna is a foster child who was to be picked up today and put into a placement home. She was gone when the foster care agent came to get her.

Please contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office if you have any information that can help locate Brianna.

05/30/2024

Last Friday evening, chief Jason Cripps and the Porterdale Police Department hosted their fifth summer kickoff kickball event at BC Crowell Park.

STORY

City of Porterdale’s police chief Jason Cripps wants the youth he serves to have a different experience from the one he remembers.

05/30/2024

Newton County is pleased to announce two County facilities will be part of Newton County School System’s Free Summer Meals Program.

Nelson Heights Community Center and Denny Dobbs Park will have meals available for children 18 and under Monday through Thursday from June 3 until June 27. Meals will be available inside the Nelson Heights Community Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and under the pavilion at Denny Dobbs from noon to 1 p.m.

These are just two of the locations available this summer. More information on the program and other available locations will be upcoming.

05/30/2024

Please join us in congratulating our newest graduate of GPSTC fire recruit class 24-2, FF Kyle Matlock. He won two class awards, Honor Graduate and Most Valuable Team Player. We are very proud of this Firefighter and hope to see great things from him!

05/30/2024

UPDATE (May 30, 2024, 1 p.m.): We have been notified today that Mr. Duncan returned home. Thank you to all who shared the original post!

🚨 MISSING PERSON 🚨

On Friday, May 24, 2024, law enforcement was notified that Jeffery Duncan was missing. He was last seen on May 21, 2024, at around 9:15 a.m.

Mr. Duncan lives in his vehicle which he parks at his separated wife’s residence. He drives a black in color 1993 Ford Ranger black with tag SCX5638.

Please contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office if you have any information regarding Mr. Duncan.

05/30/2024

A Covington woman found herself in trouble during a traffic stop over five hours away in Mississippi.

STORY

A Covington woman found herself in trouble during a traffic stop over five hours away in Mississippi.

05/29/2024

Right before the start of the Memorial Day weekend, federal, state and local representatives visited Absolics Inc. in Covington.

STORY

Right before the start of the Memorial Day weekend, federal, state and local representatives visited Absolics Inc. in Covington.

05/29/2024

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) is implementing a community safety campaign program called Connect Newton.

STORY

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) is implementing a community safety campaign program called Connect Newton. To keep communities informed and aid in the understanding of local crime, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office invites you to participate in this upcoming program.

05/29/2024

Coming up in our Wednesday print editions will be a new featured page. We will be publishing a church directory for the local, Newton County churches. If you would like your church to be featured in this directory, please email [email protected] with the following information:

Name of Church, Address of Church, Phone number for church, Denomination of church.

NOTE: Adding church info to the directory is free.

We appreciate everyone’s assistance in this endeavor.