Newton Citizen
Roberson: Continue to build on Dr. King’s dream
COVINGTON — In his keynote address at the 41st Annual Newton County Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday observance, Emorja Roberson, encouraged those attending to not simply celebrate the promise of MLK’s dream, but to push it forward toward greater...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Rockdale County Parks and recreation events round-up
A glance at some upcoming Rockdale County Parks and Recreation events: —A Zumba Glow Party is scheduled Friday, Jan. 23 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Johnson Park Recreation Center, 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers. It’s free and is for all ages. For more...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Banes faces new charges of defrauding the Small Business Administration
COVINGTON — Legal troubles continue to mount for suspended Newton County Commission chairman Marcello Banes. New charges were added to his federal indictment Jan. 6, alleging that in 2020 and 2021 he defrauded the Small Business Administration of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
RIGHt On trACK Milligan to perform pre-race concert, Page B1
COVINGTON — A 180-day moratorium on data center permit applications was put into place Monday by the Covington City Council. The council also initiated an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance pertaining to data centers. Planning and Development...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
New Year’s Eve checkpoints target impaired driving across Newton County
COVINGTON — The Newton County Sheriff’s Office reported seven DUI arrests as a result of New Year’s Eve checkpoints conducted from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The checkpoints were a coordinated effort between the NCSO, the Covington Police Department and the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DA’s Office will not prosecute in Magnolia Heights shooting
COVINGTON — A man who shot and killed an intruder at a Covington apartment complex will not face prosecution under Georgia’s “defense-of-habitation law,” according to the Newton County District Attorney’s Office. In a 10-page letter explaining the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Stories that made headlines in Newton County in 2025
Pressure for data center development — and resistance to that pressure — dominated the headlines in Newton County in 2025. Over the course of the year, local officials and residents expressed growing concern about the number of data center projects...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Conyers employees earn special recognitions
At the 2025 City of Conyers Christmas Party, the city honored five winners of the inaugural Employee Awards for their dedication, innovation and service. A glance at each winner: Chase Childers — Innovator Award “He has created lasting improvements...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Newton School System foresees budgeting challenges
COVINGTON — Four trends in school funding will present challenges to the Newton County School System in the upcoming budget process, according to Chief Financial Officer Erica Robinson. “Our budget directly impacts every decision we make, from the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Police Who Care
COVINGTON — Thirty kids walked into Walmart on Hazelbrand Road with a timid nature, but left smiling and laughing on Dec. 9. That is the effect Covington Police Department’s Police Who Care Christmas Shop With A Cop has on children from Alcovy CASA,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Better prepared to learn, grow and thrive’
C.J. Hicks Elementary School and Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS), in partnership with Kaiser Permanente and Goodr, celebrated the opening of an innovative, on-campus grocery store designed to provide free, fresh food and groceries to students and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Investing in classrooms
COVINGTON — Snapping Shoals EMC continues to invest in Newton County classrooms, awarding $15,000 in Bright Ideas grants to support innovative instructional projects across the district. Funded through unclaimed capital credits, these grants empower...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Parading into the holiday season
The sky was gray but spirits were bright Saturday morning as the 2025 edition of the Covington Christmas Parade stepped off from Legion Field. Dozens of entrants marched in light rainfall down Floyd Street to the Square before turning up Conyers Street...
Read Full Story (Page 1)