Top stories
Library to cut staff, hours
The Newton County Library System will cut 30 percent of its staff and slash hours at the Covington branch, beginning Jan. 1.
Ballet presents unique Christmas story
A local dance studio will present a very unique Christmas story to the community this weekend.
Sunday alcohol sales delayed
Retailers will have to wait at least another week before they can begin package sales of alcohol on Sunday.
Newton Sheriff's Toy Run to help needy children
The Newton County Sheriff's Office Toy Run is set for this Saturday.
Georgia vet recalls horror of Pearl Harbor attack
As one of just four Pearl Harbor survivors in Georgia, 96-year-old Fred Johnson said time has not fogged his memory on what happened on the fateful morning in Hawaii.
Judge rules for plaintiffs in Mt. Zion Church case
A judge says Mt. Zion property must be returned and upholds the church's decision to ban Ballard and Dial from membership.
Social Circle to hold public hearings on redistricting
Social Circle will offer public hearings on redistricting.
Lead stories
Social Circle hangs the green in preparation for the season
Social Circle Public Safety Department's Sgt. Mark Harrison lifts the garland to Officer Shannon Patterson who is perched high in the sky as she helps to make Social Circle's downtown area ready for the holidays. The garland and tinsel are hung and the stores are ready for shoppers as Christmas
Covington, Conyers residents get in the Christmas spirit
Conyers and Covington held their annual Christmas parades Saturday to usher in the holiday season. Both events enjoyed wonderful, late fall weather that gave everyone a chance to get out and enjoy the hundreds of floats, marching bands, vintage cars and other sights and sounds of Christmas. Go to www.rockdalecitizen.com
Newton's Eastside Band working to reach fund-raising finish line
The Pride of Eastside Band has been invited to participate in the opening ceremonies of the famous NASCAR race on Feb. 26.
All Stories
Darrell Huckaby: It's not Christmas without books
For my entire life, books have been a big deal at Christmas time. My parents always made sure there were books under our little Charlie Brown Christmas trees when I was growing up in Porterdale.
Frazier named region 8-AAAA coach of the year
Add one more big moment to the 2011 football season for Heritage High School.. Head coach Chad Frazier was named Region 8-AAAA coach of the year, Heritage defensive line coach Chris Pack confirmed Tuesday. Frazier, in his fifth season at the Conyers school, led the Patriots to the first
Pete Mecca: A brief history of Pearl Harbor
Warning signs of an impending attack on Pearl Harbor went unheeded.
Wilson leads Bulldogs past SACA
CONYERS -- The Rockdale boy's basketball team wasn't used to having a losing streak, and Tuesday in Conyers, they played like they didn't want a new one starting any time soon. C.J. Wilson scored 24 points to lead a quartet of Bulldogs in double figures in a 96-82 victory over
Oxford's Kim at home on the court and in the classroom
Oxford's Samuel Kim is averaging nearly 10 rebounds per game.
East Side High art students host Empty Bowl fundraiser
Staff photos by Sue Ann Kuhn-Smith. Whitney Panetta shows off her handiwork which will be available during Eastside High School's fourth annual Empty Bowls dinner Monday night. The art students of Eastside High School are raising money for the Newton County Community Food Pantry by offering homemade chili, created
Sunday alcohol sales delayed
Retailers will have to wait at least another week before they can begin package sales of alcohol on Sunday.
Savannah police find dead newborn in garbage truck
Savannah police are investigating the death of a newborn baby found amid trash in the back of a garbage truck.
State Sen. Vincent Fort discloses he has prostate cancer
State Sen. Vincent Fort says he has prostate cancer. The Atlanta Democrat told The Associated Press he was diagnosed this summer and is deciding now on a course of treatment.
Macon native soul singer Howard Tate dies at 72
Soul singer Howard Tate has died in his New Jersey apartment a decade after a career resurrection that followed years of tragedy and obscurity.
Ballet presents unique Christmas story
A local dance studio will present a very unique Christmas story to the community this weekend.
Newton Sheriff's Toy Run to help needy children
The Newton County Sheriff's Office Toy Run is set for this Saturday.
Social Circle to hold public hearings on redistricting
Social Circle will offer public hearings on redistricting.
Georgia vet recalls horror of Pearl Harbor attack
As one of just four Pearl Harbor survivors in Georgia, 96-year-old Fred Johnson said time has not fogged his memory on what happened on the fateful morning in Hawaii.
Library to cut staff, hours
The Newton County Library System will cut 30 percent of its staff and slash hours at the Covington branch, beginning Jan. 1.
Georgia PSC approves low-income heating assistance
The Georgia Public Service Commission has approved spending $10 million to help low-income and older people pay their heating bills.
Atlanta shows off new snow emergency equipment
Atlanta city officials say they're ready for the next snowstorm.
Pets available for adoption this week in Newton, Rockdale counties
Pets are availablel for adoption at both the Rockdale and Newton animal shelters.
Police say girl's killing 'very calculated'
Investigators believe a Georgia girl abducted from a residential playground was taken to a nearby vacant apartment, where she was sexually assaulted, stabbed and beaten to death before her body was placed in a trash bin, authorities said Tuesday.
Columbus mayor forms panel to push for train service
The mayor of Columbus has announced the formation of a passenger rail commission to push for regional train service to the west Georgia city.
New plant expected to bring up to 100 jobs to Augusta
Company officials say a new $15 million plant is expected to bring 80 to 100 jobs to south Augusta.
Chargers crush Jags in MNF, 38-14
Phillip Rivers has his best game of the season Monday night as the Chargers rout the hapless Jaguars in their first game since firing coach Jack Del Rio.
Albany Motor Speedway becomes part of national Chevrolet circuit
Albany Motor Speedway will now be home to two stops on the national NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series starting next year.
Giants: Leesburg’s Posey to play some at 1B after return from season-ending injury
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said on Monday that Leesburg's Buster Posey, the 2010 Rookie of the year at catcher, will play some first base next season as Posey comes back from a season-ending injury after a collision at the plate broke his left fibula and tore three tendons in his left leg.
A year after his death, Cubs' Santo selected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ron Santo, one of the most beloved Cubs players in history and one of the greatest third baseman of his era, is elected to the Hall of Fame, one year and three days after his death, on Monday as 15 of the 16 members of the Veteran's Committee decide it is finally time to send Santo to Cooperstown, where many felt he should have been enshrined years ago.
Family charged with shoplifting of candy, drinks
COVINGTON -- Three members of the same family were arrested and charged in connection with shoplifting at Dollar General Store, located at 2481 Ga. Highway 81, Saturday. according to the Newton County Sheriff's Office.
Dec. 6 Health Reports
EDITOR'S NOTE: Restaurant health inspection reports published in the Citizen newspapers include only the restaurant's name, address, score and the date of inspection. This is due to the length of violations included in the reports. Readers who would like to know more about a restaurant's score may go online at www.eastmetrohealth.com to read any violations recorded in the report.
City applies credit to stabilize power costs
COVINGTON -- The Covington City Council is once again working to keep costs down for electric customers.
Which finalist will take home the Heisman?
NEW YORK -- Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Trent Richardson, Tyrann Mathieu and Montee Ball are the Heisman Trophy finalists.
Newton Sheriff's Toy Run to help needy children
COVINGTON -- Santa is loading up the sleigh and his helpers are revving up their motorcycles as they prepare to take part in the 13th Annual Toy Run Bike Ride Saturday.
Woman reportedly raped at pool hall
CONYERS -- Police are investigating a rape after a woman said she was accosted in the parking lot of a local pool hall Friday.
Judge rules for plaintiffs in Mt. Zion Church case
COVINGTON -- Former members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church will not get a second bite at the apple to make the conveyance of the church property legal, according to an order issued last week by a Newton County judge.
New Depot Players production reminiscent of WWII USO Camp Shows
What: "A Red, White & Blue Christmas! A Tribute to the USO Camp Shows of World War II"
Bulldogs still perfect on the mats
The Rockdale wrestling team keeps on winning. Thanks to eight individuals who each went 4-0, the Bulldogs won the Crossbone Duals at East Paulding High School last weekend, improving to 13-0 in duals on the young season.
Social Circle hangs the green in preparation for the season
Social Circle Public Safety Department's Sgt. Mark Harrison lifts the garland to Officer Shannon Patterson who is perched high in the sky as she helps to make Social Circle's downtown area ready for the holidays. The garland and tinsel are hung and the stores are ready for shoppers as Christmas Day is getting closer and closer.
Santa walks Conyers parade route after ride stops
CONYERS -- Children had a chance to see Santa and Mrs. Claus up close and personal Saturday during the annual holiday parade in Conyers when the couple in red was forced to walk after their ride stalled.
Oxford tallies three wins in a week
OXFORD The Oxford College men's basketball team put the finishing touches on a productive week Sunday, defeating the visiting Greenville Titans 89-63 to record their third victory of the week and their fourth in a row.
Oxford College going tobacco free
OXFORD -- Oxford College will become a tobacco-free campus on Jan. 1.
Newton Community Calendar
Dec. 7
Chargers crush Jags in MNF, 38-14
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — No matter how many interceptions he threw, no matter how many turnovers he committed, Philip Rivers refused to play it safe.
A year after his death, Cubs' Santo selected to Baseball Hall of Fame
DALLAS — Ron Santo always kept rooting for the causes dearest to him — for his Chicago Cubs to win the World Series, for doctors to find a cure for diabetes and for him to reach the Hall of Fame.
Oxford's Kim at home on the court and in the classroom
OXFORD -- Although it's still early in the season, freshman Samuel Kim has established himself as Oxford College's chairman of the glass.
Pete Mecca: A brief history of Pearl Harbor
Local inhabitants called the shallow embayment Pu’uloa, meaning “Long Hill,” home to the shark goddess, Ku’ahupahau, and her brother, Kahi’uka. The natives also speak of Long Hill as Wai Momi, meaning Pearl Water. In time, Americans referred to the paradise anchorage as Pearl Harbor.
Albany Motor Speedway becomes part of national Chevrolet circuit
CARTERSVILLE — Albany Motor Speedway is taking it up a notch.
Wilson leads Bulldogs past SACA
CONYERS -- The Rockdale boy's basketball team wasn't used to having a losing streak, and Tuesday in Conyers, they played like they didn't want a new one starting any time soon. C.J. Wilson scored 24 points to lead a quartet of Bulldogs in double figures in a 96-82 victory over Southwest Atlanta Christian in non-region play.
Falcons squander another chance to take control
FLOWERY BRANCH -- Mike Smith usually does a good job controlling his feelings.
Maylar Smith
Mrs. Maylar L. Smith, 73 of Covington passed away December 3, 2011 at Atlanta Medical Center. Mrs. Smith was born in Whiton, Alabama to the late Johnny L. and Lillian ...
Little River Marie Vaeth
Little River Marie Vaeth, of Covington, GA passed away December 2, 2011. Arrangements by Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, (770) 786-7062, (770) 784-5582 (24 hr. obituary line) www.caldwellandcowan.com
Patricia Sullo
Patricia C. Sullo born April 19, 1938 passed away peacefully at her home in Conyers, GA on December 3, 2011. She is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years ...
Doris Denard
Mrs. Doris Hopkins Denard, age 89 of Conyers, died December 5, 2011. She is survived by daughters, Helen Thompson and Carol Moore; son-in-law, Jim Moore; grandsons, James Erick ...
