When you bank with Newton Federal and use your Rewards Visa debit card when shopping locally, you can make a difference and reap the benefits. With over 15 different businesses participating in this program, every purchase makes a difference for you and your community.
Patrick Graham OWNER & PUBLISHER pgraham@covnews.com
Cynthia Warren ADVERTISING DIRECTOR cbwarren@covnews.com
Phillip B. Hubbard MANAGING EDITOR phubbard@covnews.com
Evan Newton NEWS EDITOR enewton@covnews.com
Lee Ann Avery CIRCULATION DIRECTOR lavery@covnews.com
Newton County Superior Court Clerk’s office in conjunction with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) is pleased to offer two new services to the citizens of Newton County.
• Filing Activity Notification System (FANS) provides Georgia citizens with tools to monitor activity regarding their property and records
• eCertification services provides users the ability to electronically request certified Court and Real Estate Records 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
The Clerk of Superior Court is also honored to offer an invaluable service to our veterans by recording and preserving military discharge records, free of charge. Please visit our website, www.alcovycircuit.com, for more information.
Mrs. Linda D. Hays The Clerk of Courts
It has been my honor to have served the citizens of Newton County since 1983
NEWTON COUNTY The Place To Be
Welcome Center introduces world to Covington
By Phillip B. Hubbard
Abyproduct of years’ worth of movie and television filming is that Covington/Newton County has become known as the “Hollywood of the South.”
Displaying the vast selection of props and memorabilia is the city’s Welcome Center. Among the offerings are “Dukes of Hazzard,” “In The Heat Of The Night” and “The Vampire Diaries.”
As a result of the strong presence of film history, the Welcome Center’s number of visitors has grown exponentially.
In 2010, there were 14,833 visitors who donned the doors of the Center with nearly 30,000 more coming in 2019. Just last year, the Center eclipsed the 100,000-visitor mark finishing at 118,278 total guests.
Approximately 20 percent of all visitors are international travelers, too.
As of July 6, 2024, Covington’s Welcome Center has welcomed 61,988 visitors.
The largest attraction for the Welcome Center is film tourism with around 80 percent of guests coming for the television and film locations. Of that 80 percent, 75 percent come for the Julie Plec trilogy series, “The Vampire Diaries, Originals and Legacies,” according to statistics provided by the Welcome Center.
Greeting everyone who enters through the door is the Center’s coordinator Ron Carter. Carter recognized the significance of these statistics for the city of Covington.
“When I first started doing this, Covington… we were really like a stop through on your way to Florida or on your way home,” Carter said. “People would stay one or two nights. We have now become the destination. People are coming, staying six, seven nights with us in Covington.”
Not only are a high number of people coming to the city, but they are traveling great distances to do so. Visitors from all over the globe have come through the Center.
So much so, Carter has had to sharpen his geography knowledge.
“We receive visitors from all over the world… every corner of the world,” Carter said. “I had to look up an island called Mauritius. I never even heard of Mauritius before, but it’s a country off the coast of Africa. And they came for Vampire
Phillip B. Hubbard
The Covington News
Diaries. This father and daughter came in.”
A plethora of guests took to Google reviews to share their thoughts on the experience of coming to the Welcome Center.
Words like “nice,” “great,” “awesome,” “wonderful,” “informative” and “Absolutely A+++ experience!” were used to describe their respective experiences.
One person, in particular, was more expressive in their feedback.
“Other cities should take note of the welcome center as it’s the pinnacle of what one can be,” the reviewer said. “They have a HUGE number of displays from the shooting of movie and television shows in town. It feels like a mini-Disney World…all for free!”
Covington Welcome Center’s more official name is the Covington Regional Visitor Information Center (RVIC). Relocating from 2101 Clark Street to its current spot at 1143 Oak Street on July 2, 2020, the Center resides in a space around five times bigger than its previous one.
It is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Based on factors such as the yearly number of visitors, amount of business hours, etc, the Center is a level four with level five being the highest score possible.
The Center relies completely on donations and loaned items for all displays featured.
Over the years, the Welcome Center has undergone various alterations. The changes have been phases one and two with phase three in progress. Phase three’s ultimate aim is to bring more residents living in Covington through the door.
The Welcome Center took a significant step when it added pieces of the county’s history to the Center. It was made possible in partnership with the Newton County Historical Society. This portion of the Center opened in January 2024.
Ken Malcom, Covington’s community development director, explained why more locals browsing the Center’s offerings is a benefit.
“We want our local folks to be tourists in their own town. That’s something we need to do periodically,” Malcom said. ‘We hear the same thing over and over and over again. When our locals walk through this door, they say, ‘I had no idea.’ We want people to have the idea.
“This is their Welcome Center and we want everybody to enjoy it.”
Another aspect of the Welcome Center is how it provides information about what is going on in Newton County. Whether it is details for upcoming events or shops and restaurants on the Square, a lot of information is made available.
That is an important portion of the Center for Carter.
“We’re really a marketing arm for the county and the city,” Carter said. “We want to make sure people – whether you’re a visitor or a resident — you’re enjoying your time here and you’re utilizing what we have here.”
The Covington Welcome Center brings a lot to the table to both visitors as well as local residents. All of the statistics and beyond indicate
Photo courtesy of city of Covington
the Center’s significance for so many.
Carter emphasized how he loves his job and considers himself “probably one of the luckiest people in Newton County.”
More than that, Carter is extremely proud of the fact that Covington, Georgia, is a household name in many spots across the world now.
“Growing up, people say, ‘Where are you from?’ I used to always say, ‘Oh right outside Atlanta,’” Carter said. “I don’t say that anymore. I say, ‘I’m from Covington.’ And they know exactly where that is.
“It’s a very well known community throughout the world.”
“It’s a very well known community throughout the world.”
NEWTON COUNTY
The Place To Be Emory Oxford exposes students to ‘best of both worlds’
By Marco Bartkowiak
Emory University has nine different locations, but the original location sits right in the heart of Newton County.
Founded in 1836, Oxford College of Emory University holds just around 1,000 students and focuses heavily on liberal arts, leadership and service.
Students begin their college journey for two years at the Oxford location before heading off to the Atlanta campus. Second-year dean Badia Ahad and director of community relations Laura Gafnea believe this gives students a terrific experience of spending time in both a smaller and larger college environment.
“Our students really get the best of both worlds with starting out at Oxford in that small, closeknit environment, and then being able to transition to Emory. All the while still having all of the resources that they would get from being a part of Emory,” Gafnea said. “So it is a really unique model I think in higher education.”
Ahad also noted that nearly every student who attends Oxford College of Emory University eventually moves on to the Atlanta campus.
“You are working with top-tier teaching faculty at Oxford who are wholly invested in your success in the classroom,” Ahad said. “And then you go on to the Atlanta campus, where you are working with top scholars in their respective fields, and you get to engage with them as well. So, I think it is a win-win for any student who makes the choice to come to Oxford.”
With a small number of students compared to
the larger universities, Ahad believes that the low number of students is a big part of what makes the school so special.
“Our faculty-student ratio is about 1-to-11, and our average class size is about 15,” Ahad said. “I think it allows for a more high-touch experience for certain, students can not get lost in their classes. Faculty are very much present, and they definitely get to know students.”
With almost all students living on campus, they are consistently near faculty members and other students. Gafnea echoed Ahad’s statement that the small enrollment leads to many benefits for students.
“It’s impossible to hide at Oxford,” Gafnea said. “You are going to make those connections, and you are going to have those deep and rich experiences within the classroom and then within campus life and your life outside the classroom as well. So, I think it is a place that you immediately can kind of hit the ground running, getting involved and getting plugged in, wherever that might be, wherever that might take you.”
Ahad identified that the diversity on campus is something that immediately stood out to her during her first year as the dean.
Photo courtesy of Emory University Photo and Video
She and Gafnea both highlighted the fact that all members of the community at Oxford College of Emory University are focused on one common goal, the success of the students.
“Oxford has a really wonderful community, it is incredibly diverse,” Ahad said. “And what I think really stands out to me is that no matter what role
people are in, they share the mission to really care for our students, even if they’re not in a student-facing role.”
On top of all the benefits that come with the small number of students, Oxford College of Emory University also offers students over 80 clubs and organizations, 80 majors and 60 minors.
The Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Goizueta Business School and Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing are the three standout offerings at Oxford College of Emory University.
All three schools boast incredible statistics in relation to student success after graduation. They all lead over 95 percent of their students to have a job offer or their next steps planned within six months of graduation.
To go along with the terrific academic achievements, Oxford College of Emory University also offers an impressive selection of athletics, especially considering the smaller enrollment.
They have 12 athletic teams overall, with five men’s teams in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and tennis. There are four women’s teams in cross country, golf, soccer and tennis.
They also offer students the ability to participate in club sports with swimming, women’s basketball and dance/cheer as the available options.
Oxford College of Emory University emphasizes the importance of giving students differ -
Proud community partner since 1836
ent opportunities to choose from and that emphasis is shown throughout the multitude of offerings at the school.
To Gafnea, this is yet another reason why she believes students love their time at the school.
“I think Oxford is just a place where students can immediately jump in and find their place,” Gafnea said. “And that could be from involvement in a club, it could be connections with faculty members that they are building, connections with peers, but there are opportunities that are just a fit for everyone in terms of what you might be looking for.”
“I think Oxford is just a place where students can immediately jump in and find their place,”
Photo courtesy of Emory University Photo and Video
NEWTON COUNTY The Place To Be Businesses reinvesting in local area
By Phillip B. Hubbard
Growth has arrived in Newton County, Debbie Harper believes.
“I don’t want anyone saying it’s coming…it’s here,” Harper said. “And more will come.”
A good portion of that growth the past couple of years has been numerous businesses expanding into multiple locations in the area.
Harper, the Newton Chamber of Commerce president, recognized what this means for Newton County as a whole.
“Newton County is, right now, the place to be from a business standpoint and even from a residential standpoint. We’re seeing businesses come new but, as we’ve talked about, businesses also choosing to open second locations,” Harper said. “For us, that’s really the ultimate compliment is to have a business decide they’re doing so good here that they want to reinvest and open that second location.
at 3214 U.S.278 NW, another at 11124 GA-142 and the Covington Town Center gas station at 10900 Town Center Dr.
QuikTrip’s corporate communications manager Aisha Jefferson stated that the third store’s opening was a result of “growth in the area.”
“I think that businesses from outside our community see that so that’s why we get a mix of the new business and second location-type business.”
Publix opened at the Covington Town Center in January 2023 marking its second store in the area. Recently, QuikTrip had its grand opening in the Covington Town Center, too. Zaxby’s started its fourth spot of operation as well in the Covington Town Center.
Since 2003, QuikTrip has been in Newton County and now has three locations in Newton County. One
So far so good, according to Jefferson.
“Doing well and on target for what we expected in terms of performance,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson said the experience of operating three QuikTrip locations has been beneficial.
“These three locations have a positive impact on our overall market,” Jefferson said.
Zaxby’s has been in the Newton County market since 2002, being a long-standing presence in the local area.
A brand spokesperson shared the following state-
Phillip B. Hubbard The Covington News
ment with The News concerning Zaxby’s local success.
“Zaxby’s has grown its presence over the years as a result of its strong partnership with franchisee, Brad Dailey, who operates the Newton County locations and opened his fourth Zaxby’s restaurant in the area, late last year,” the spokesperson said.
“We look forward to continuing to serve the Newton County community, through our local community partnerships and sponsorships.”
What Harper is hearing lines up with the messages from the individual businesses. She said she’s heard “nothing but success” for the businesses.
Harper also recognizes that the impact everyone can benefit from with multiple locations of businesses throughout Newton County.
“When you see, for instance, a QT opening where the newest one has just opened. That puts those three major exits in Covington…you’ve got that there,”
Harper said. “But I’ve heard a lot of residents from the northern end of Newton County say, ‘That’s right there. I’ve never had a gas station on my way into town or my way home.’
“For us, that’s really the ultimate compliment is to have a business decide they’re doing so good here that they want to reinvest and open that second location....”
“That’s been things that some of us may take for granted on that, but I think it just shows the diversity of those things. And when you see these second locations such as a QT, believe it or not it helps with traffic congestion. Because those people from northern Newton are just doing it on their way home, they’re not having to create traffic going back down 278 one way or another.”
As much as the recent developments have been beneficial to the businesses and overall community, Harper is optimistic that additional development is on its way.
From her perspective, Harper does not see any reason why all the growth cannot expand into all areas of Newton County.
“We will see more of this. We are having conversations with people wanting to open second locations. Our downtown Square is amazing. It’s thriving. For someone who has lived here my entire life, to see what it is now compared to when I was a high school senior, it’s so exciting,” Harper said. “But I think there are other areas in our community that we can create some village or town centers that will attract and have opportunity for second businesses to locate as well as new businesses and new residents.”
NEWTON COUNTY
The Place To Be Hays Tractor continues to find success with customer service at forefront
By Marco Bartkowiak
Hays Tractor & Equipment, Inc. has been helping supply Newton County residents with various types of agricultural needs since 1951.
The family-owned business is run by the Massey family, and they are now in their third generation of ownership.
After being open for over 70 years, the principles that started the business have remained the same.
Sales manager and director of marketing, Andrew Massey, can clearly recall the lessons from his mother.
“My mother, her saying is, ‘You come as a customer, you leave as a cousin,’” Massey said.
With these values, it is no surprise that Hays Tractor is well known for its customer service and product knowledge.
As the sales manager and director of marketing, Massey makes sure that the team never loses sight of their top priority.
“Being able to answer a customer’s question Johnny on the spot and not say, ‘Hey, let me go find out for you’ and then never finding out [and] never calling them back,” Massey said. “It is just making sure that the customer’s taken care of at the end of the day, making sure that they are happy at the end of the day, making sure that you do not stop until they are happy is what the goal of it is.”
Massey emphasized how specific the customer has to be when buying a tractor. It takes a little more work with the customer than a
typical sale, and the staff at Hays Tractor are known for that extra effort.
“Buying a tractor is like building a house and buying a boat,” Massey said. “You have got to get really specific with it, it can be very intricate, like building a house. And so, you have got to tailor to that customer’s needs. You have got to learn that customer all the way down to how their personality works.”
Despite recognizing the significance of online reviews, Massey made it clear how important he still believes word of mouth is.
“I could have a million, five-star reviews on Google, none of those would mean anything unless it is word of mouth,” Massey said. “I have one person that does not like me, or tells that person, ‘Hey, don’t go shop there.’ Guess what? They are going to take that person’s advice.”
Everything at Hays Tractor comes back to the customer. To find success in this business, Massey knows how essential it is to put the customer first.
“Treating people like they are a customer with a name and not customer No. 1,2,3,4,5,6,” Massey said. “That is the main thing about it, and that is really what I have heard from oth -
Photo via Hays Tractor Facebook page
“‘You come as a customer, you leave as a cousin...’”
Take the Natural Path to Health & Wellness
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We strive to work with families to make their visit to Lawnwood Memorial Park meaningful. We understand with you the life of your loved one in a way that is special to you and your family.
Lawnwood Memorial Park
1111 Access Road
Covington, Georgia
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“the premier perpetual care cemetery east of Atlanta, proudly providing caring and professional service since 1954”
When new mayor Michael Patterson took office in January, he had a proclamation for the city of Porterdale.
“This is a new day for the city of Porterdale and I am very honored to be part of it,” Patterson said during the Jan. 8 city council meeting.
A fresh era for the city was born on that cold January night with new council members and the potential to reinvent what the city stands for. One of those initiatives include the introduction of more community events for citizens to enjoy.
This is where Monika Singh comes in.
Singh joined the city of Porterdale in December 2023 as the city’s downtown director, immediately coming in with a focus on more concentrated event coordination.
“Whether it is a food truck night, city celebration or charity drive, my goal is to enhance community spirit and bring people together,” Singh said.
Food truck nights are the most common event held in Porterdale. Held on the first Monday and third Thursday of every month, citizens can enjoy a number of different food and drink items from a wide array of choices. Vendors such as The Social Goat Tavern, The Chocolate Box and Atlanta Pizza and Gyro are just some of the businesses that have participated in food truck nights.
The city also recently held its Independence Day “Village Blast” celebration on June 29. Live music, food and kids activities allowed citizens to enjoy the city’s unique atmosphere.
The event was a success with thousands turning out for the event.
While Singh provides the foundation for each event Porterdale has to offer, she gives majority of the credit to everyone else who makes the events so special.
“The positive feedback from residents is a testament to our hard work and the vibrant spirit of Porterdale,” Singh said. “Our police department, public works and city staff have all worked tirelessly to ensure that the Village Blast is memorable and enjoyable experienc -
Chip Matthews
The Covington News
“...Porterdale has something for everyone.”
es for everyone. Their commitment to making Porterdale vibrant and engaging is truly commendable!”
The benefits to holding events in a small city seem obvious. Comradery, fellowship, family and fun are all things that come to mind in any
event. But Singh stressed that there are many “why’s” when it comes to holding events in Porterdale.
“Events bring people together, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit,” Singh said. “This helps build stronger relationships among
residents. When the community participates in local events, it supports local businesses and vendors, which can lead to economic growth and sustainability.”
With a renewed focus on event coordination, the city is planning to hold more
events in the near future.
In August, the city plans to hold a “Back to School Bash” at B.C. Crowell Park. A few months later, the city will transition into “spooky season” as a trick or treat event will be held at the Porterdale Police De -
Photo via city of Porterdale’s Facebook
partment parking lot. As Fall transitions into Winter, Porterdale will gear up for the holiday season with a Christmas parade.
Singh noted that the city is currently working on a major sewer project, but that event coordination will continue to be a focal point heading into 2025, with a designated event calendar in the works.
All in all, Porterdale is looking to rewrite the script, with a focus on increasing community inclusion.
“Porterdale is a community that values its residents and visitors, offering a welcoming and engaging atmosphere,” Singh said. “Whether you are looking for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences or just a friendly place to relax, Porterdale has something for everyone.”
Photo via city of Porterdale’s Facebook
NEWTON COUNTY
The Place To Be Covington becoming a selling point to create ‘top-tier content’
By Evan Newton
As the film industry increases its presence in Georgia, Covington is making its mark as one of the premier production destinations in the state.
From the movie “A Man Called Peter” in 1955, to the Netflix show “Sweet Magnolias” and every production in-between, Covington is becoming a hub for quality content in the state of Georgia.
So much so that Cinelease Studios decided to open up Three Ring Studios in 2020. The production studio is a way for content creators across the world to use top of the line production facilities in their creations.
Studio manager of Georgia facilities Olivia Schmitz described what Cinelease offers to those looking to create productions at Three Ring.
“We basically are a giant box that lets the creators come in and do their thing,” Schmitz said. “We’re sort of like an awesome concierge in every way possible.”
The “giant box” located off of Highway 142 is made up of 14 purpose-built sound stages totaling 253,200 square-feet. In total, Three Ring spans 160 sprawling acres, with 140 of those acres classified as developed.
While most film studios start small and work their way up as time progresses, Three Ring has made an immediate large-scale impact with some of the productions they have housed. In the first four years since they opened their
doors Three Ring has housed several notable productions from major companies like Showtime, Netflix and Hulu. Most recently, Three Ring housed production for the Disney movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” a movie that was released in July 2024.
Photo courtesy of REBEL Media & Marketing
Schmitz emphasizes that global companies utilizing Three Ring should show that Covington’s stake in the film industry is legitimate.
“We’re not just making small commercials – we are – but we’re out here making some of the top-tier content that’s out there right now,” Schmitz said.
The ability to create top-tier content is something that is also never lost on Schmitz’s mind.
“We’re very proud to be doing it. It’s the highest clientele. I love that that’s happening in our backyard,” Schmitz said.
But while Three Ring is committed to creat -
“That’s something we don’t have to sell is Covington itself.”
ing a studio environment that is top of the line in terms of production, the studio wants top of the line in terms of the community, too.
According to Schmitz, around 40-50 percent of the employees that work at Three Ring are Newton County residents. This could mean anywhere from security to janitorial services to office work.
In addition to creating permanent jobs for Newton County residents, Three Ring also provides opportunities for those wishing to be extras from time to time.
“Every show we do is in need of extras and I think that there’s plenty of Covington residents that can speak to that,” Schmitz said. “We do our best to try to connect the community to those opportunities.”
Additionally, Schmitz said that the studio is continuing to work with many local businesses and organizations within the community. She cited one example of a major Disney production donating several leftover costumes to the Newton County Arts Association that would have otherwise been thrown away.
Schmitz said that anywhere between 7,00010,000 people have entered the studio since its inception in 2020. This is something that has directly impacted the community.
“That’s a lot of humans buying into Newton County. But they also want a beer after work, they want to go to Lucky Day,” Schmitz said. “They’re spending significant time in this county in this area and that is sort of what I think Cinelease Studios Three Ring – wheth -
er you understand what film production is or not – is kind of adding to the community.”
That same community connection has been the tipping point for those wishing to film at Three Ring.
Manager of division operations for Cinelease Studios, Bill Sanford, detailed one example of one high-profile executive choosing to film at Three Ring based off of her trip in Covington.
“She was instrumental in this production that’ll be coming out this fall. This particular executive came out and you know, she had lots of different choices to film,” Sanford said. “And ultimately, she and Olivia went into town, she wanted a recommendation on where to go for a coffee or something like that. And so they went to Bread and Butter and as the story goes literally she’s sitting there with Olivia at Bread and Butter and she said, ‘Yeah. It’s done. This seals the deal. This is exactly where we’re going to film the show now.’”
The work to make Three Ring a competitive, top-tier studio has had its challenges. But Sanford said that choosing to embark on this journey in Covington was never one of them.
“That’s something we don’t have to sell is Covington itself.”
Photo courtesy of REBEL Media & Marketing
NEWTON COUNTY
The Place To Be Oxford Farmers Market provides community within a community
By Jet Rawls
In Oxford, farmers, horticulturalists and craftsmen alike have found a community within a community at the Oxford farmers market.
Every Thursday afternoon, dozens of vendors gather on Emory Street ready to sell fresh food, new woodworks or local honey, but Oxford Event Coordinator Sydney Chacon said that wasn’t always the case. When Chacon arrived at her position, the market was only home to a couple of regular vendors. Chacon said the communication between the market and its vendors has been a key contributing factor in bringing together a community of creatives.
Phillip B. Hubbard
The Covington News
“There’s not much to do in Oxford, but this town is full of so many creative and talented artisans, farmers, makers and bakers,” Chacon said. “So we are the best place to have a farmers market.”
Chacon emphasized that coordination with city manager Bill Andrew on their visions of growing the market kickstarted its growth, but the central goal was being a place for the people of Oxford to interact.
“The main factor was to have a place for the community,” Chacon said. “Somewhere community members could meet new people, have fellowship, buy local and support local small businesses.”
Shannon Smith, owner of Shannon’s Greenhouse, has been with the market since 2009, said the familiar faces of customers she sees week after week
keep her coming back and adding variety to her selection of items.
The Oxford native sells a variety of cut flowers, succulents, perennials and hanging baskets. Smith has a degree in horticulture and dubbed herself “the plant lady.” As one of the first vendors at the Oxford market, Smith said that even though she has seen many faces come and go, the sense of community between the vendors and customers still remains.
“If one of us shows up needing help with our tent, another vendor will step in and help out,” Smith said. “We’re there for each other.”
Smith identified nearby Oxford College at Emory University’s College Farm as another motivator of growth for the market.
“I do remember Daniel [Parson] approached me and one day when I was out there he said they were going to start bringing their organic vegetables out,”
“We’re there for each other.”
Smith said. “So they started coming and immediately I saw a big difference in the traffic flow and the customers.”
In addition to the weekly farmers market, Oxford also hosts seasonal events to both kick off and close the market season. The city partners with the college’s Oxford Climate Reality Project to bring food trucks and bands to the market alongside the vendors in the annual Earth Day Spring Fest, and with Allen Memorial Church every December for the Oxford Winter Fest, an event that gives customers opportunities to buy Christmas
presents, drink hot chocolate, and sit down with Santa Claus.
Potential vendors and customers are encouraged to learn more about the market at www. oxfordgeorgia.org/farmersmarket.aspx and contact Chacon via the website.
Chacon said that joining the market will provide more than just a place to sell goods.
“All of our vendors are so nice and friendly, so in addition to making sales and meeting new friends, you really are joining a community by joining the market.”
NEWTON COUNTY
The Place To Be Authentic experience centerstage for Clock Tower Escape Room
By Garrett Pitts
Once people enter the downtown Covington Square, they have a chance to test their knowledge and detective skills at the Clock Tower Escape Room.
The Clock Tower Escape Room is located on Monticello Street in the same building as Your Sisters Closet.
Elizabeth Dougherty started the escape room almost three years ago and is also the owner of Your Sisters Closet for the past 16 years.
Currently, the escape room features two rooms for people to try to find their way out of, but started out with a different theme.
“It has been about three years since October [when we opened],” Dougherty said. “We started with a one room, and it was actually a law office. Each person had a criminal case file, and you decided within the group who was the most guilty.”
After some time, Dougherty made the decision to change the theme of the room.
The room that came about was based on the Vampire Diaries, a show that was filmed in Covington and is featured in many capacities around the Covington Square.
“When we switched the room to Sheriff Forbes office, we decided to do [a story where] Sheriff Forbes is the head of the founders council for Mystic Falls, and she has discovered there are new supernaturals that are coming into the town of Mystic Falls,” Dougherty said. “We leave it up to our guests to find the new supernatural and if they are all supernatural.”
After originally choosing against doing a Vampire Diaries themed room, Dougherty shared her mindset about ultimately making the switch.
Garrett Pitts
The Covington News
“Originally, we decided to go against [the Vampire Diaries], because we wanted to make it a little more pliable to residents. A lot of residents had not watched the show or weren’t as enthralled with the show as the tourists. We went against the Vampire Diaries theme at first until we could open a second room,” Dougherty said. “Once we did that, we were able to bridge the Vampire Diaries and we had a back room casino, where you had to launder money.”
Currently, the second room features a “Stranger Things” themed escape room.
That challenge takes participants into a multiroom structure that forces people to communicate through walkie talkies before rejoining one another to finish their escape in a room straight out of the show.
After spending years as an owner on the Covington Square, Dougherty felt like an escape room “was a component that was missing.”
“There was a lot of talk about how teenagers didn’t have a lot to do,” Dougherty said. “Coming out of COVID, it brought a lot of focus that there was not a lot going on. The axe throwing was under discussion
and I saw that there was an escape room in McDonough that was doing well. I talked to my business partner, Donna Eason, and we just decided that this would be a good location.”
we were really diligent and still are about cleaning everything up and wiping everything down. A ton of hand sanitizer, of course.”
Even though Dougherty and Eason had to battle through the challenges of hosting an escape room through the COVID pandemic, they stressed proper procedure — and still do.
“We started with just one room to test the water. We were coming straight out of COVID, so we had to take everyone’s temperatures and people were blending groups or putting 10 people in a room together,” Dougherty said. “Thankfully, we never ran into any issues. People would sometimes wear a mask and sometimes not, but
There are many things that separate her escape room from others, according to Dougherty.
The first one was simple — building an authentic experience.
“I think a lot of escape rooms that are out there are pretty fab, which means they are built as a kit,” Dougherty said. “So, it is more commercial. You can buy kits that are escape rooms and you can just put them together. It is more corporate. There are a lot of corporate entities that have rooms or have built rooms. Ours are actually based on the true stories of our town, that is one of the reasons we named it Clock Tower Escape Room, because the clock tower is kind of our big brother in Covington and kind of oversees everything. We felt we could go in a lot of different directions with different stories.”
The last and most important piece for Dougherty was that she wanted to ensure that the room was a representation of Covington and what it has to offer.
“Our rooms are based on stories and things that have happened here or filming that has happened near here,” Dougherty said. “They are custom built by us. Just research, creativity and trial and error.”
“Our
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J.C. Harwell & Son Funeral Home
Locally Owned & Operated Since 1893
J.C. Harwell & Son Funeral Home has served our community for over 130 years. Dedicated, Compassionate Care from our family to yours.
“Dependable Friends In Time of Need”
Tommy and Mary Evelyn Davis
770-786-2524
2157 East Street, SE Covington, GA 30014 HarwellFuneralHome.com
Secured presidency of Georgia Sheriff Association, elevating our presence in the law enforcement community. Secured grant funding that added employees, established a traffic unit, provided body cameras, bullet proof vests, etc., making our community safer for all.
Elected Officials
ALCOVY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES
Judge W. Kendall Wynne, Jr. Office Address:
Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. Judicial Center
1132 Usher Street, Room 208
Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 770-788-3781
Judge Jeffrey L. Foster Office Address:
Walton County Government Building
303 S. Hammond Drive, Suite 221 Monroe, GA 30655 Phone: 770-267-1339
Judge Cheveda D. McCamy Office Address:
Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Judicial Center
1132 Usher Street, Room 220
Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 770-784-2080
Judge G. Kevin Morris Office Address:
Walton County Government Building
303 S. Hammond Dr. Suite 221
Monroe, GA 30655
Phone: 770-267-1339
Judge Layla H. Zon Office Address:
Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. Judicial Center
1132 Usher Street, Room 208
Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 770-784-2180
Randy McGinley, District Attorney
Newton County District Attorney’s Office: 1132 Usher Street, Room 313
Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 770-784-2070
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Rep. Doreen
Tommy Davis, Coroner Office Address: Newton County Coroner’s Office 1124 Clark Street
Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 678-625-1218
NEWTON COUNTY CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
Melanie Bell, Probate Judge Office Address:
Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. Judicial Center
1132 Usher Street, Rm 148, Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 770-784-2045
Ezell Brown, Sheriff Office Address: Newton County Sheriff’s Office 15151 Alcovy Road NE Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 678-625-1401
Linda D. Hays, Clerk of Courts Office Address:
Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. Judicial Center 1132 Usher Street Room 338
Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 770-784-2035
Marcus Jordan, Tax Commissioner Office Address: 1113 Usher St NW # 101, Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 770-784-2020
NEWTON COUNTY CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATES
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia 4th Congressional District District office: 5240 Snapfinger Park Drive, Ste. 140 Decatur, GA 30035
Phone: 770-987-2291
Website: https://hankjohnson.house.gov
U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Greensboro 10th Congressional District District office: 100 Court St. Monroe, GA 30655
Phone: 770-207-1776
Website: https://collins.house.gov
NEWTON COUNTY GENERAL ASSEMBLY DELEGATES
Georgia’s 93rd District Learn
Rep. Tim Fleming Georgia’s 114th District
Rep. Sharon
Georgia’s 113th District
Sen. Brian
Georgia’s 17th District
Georgia’s 43rd District
The Newton County Board of Commissioners is responsible for establishing county policies and for setting the county budget. The board adopts the county budget and authorizes expenditures. The board also approves or denies zoning throughout the county. Six members constitute the Board of Commissioners. The county is divided into five com -
CITY OF COVINGTON
mission districts. The district commissioners are elected by district and the chairman is elected countywide. They all serve staggered four-year terms.
All work sessions at board meetings are called and posted as needed. Agendas of all meetings are made available through the county clerk’s office.
The Board of Commissioners
meets every first and third Tuesday of each month at the Historic Courthouse on the Covington Square, located at 1124 Clark Street.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1527
Covington, GA 30015
Phone: 770-784-2000
The Covington City Council meets every first and third Monday night at 6:30 p.m. inside the council’s meeting room at city hall, located at 2194 Emory Street
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1527
Covington, GA 30015
Phone: 770-385-2000
Email: questions@cityofcovington.org
Charika
Marcello
J.C.
T. Demond Mason Commissioner
Ronnie
Porterdale City Council meets for regular meetings the first Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m., with work sessions on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday, at City Hall, 2400 Main St., Porterdale, GA 30014. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 667
Porterdale, GA 30070
Phone: 770-786-2217
Paddle Your Way to Porterdale, Georgia
Newborn Town Council meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at town hall, located at 4224 State Hwy. 142. Work sessions are scheduled as needed. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 247 Newborn, GA 30056 Phone: 770-787-1660
Patterson Mayor
Sue Sewell Council Post 1
Jill Minnoia Council Post 4
Muhammad Council Post 2
Lowell Chambers Council Post 5
CITY OF MANSFIELD
Mansfield City Council meetings are held the second Monday of each month, with work sessions the first Monday, inside the Mansifeld Community Center.
City hall is located at 3146 State Hwy 11.
Mailing Address:
City of Mansfield PO Box 35 3146 Hwy 11 S. Mansfield, GA 30055-0035
Phone: 770-786-7235
The Oxford City Council meets every first Monday of the month and holds a work session every third Monday at city hall at
GEORGIA
Mayor: Blair H Northen III Council Members: Fred Purvis • Helen Robertson
Scott Colyn • Brandon Hays
Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center
Cricket Frog Trail
Nonie Needham Nature Trail F Beaver Park
F Short Drive to Jackson Lake
Email: comments@oxfordgeorgia. org
David Eady Mayor
Laura McCanless Council Post 3
Jeff Wearing Council Post 6
Jim Windham Council Post 5 George Holt Council Post 2 Erik Oliver Council Post 1
Mike Ready Council Post 4
Brandon Hays Council Post 3
VACANT Council Post 1
Helen Robertson Council Post 2
Scott Colyn Council Post 4
Blair Northen Mayor
Fred Purvis Council Post 5
David Keener Mayor
Traysa Price Council District 1
The Social Circle City Council meets regularly on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. inside the City Community Room located at 138 East Hightower Trail.
Tyson Jackson Council District 2
Nathan Boyd Council District 3
Steve Shelton Council District 4
City hall (pictured left) is located at 166 N Cherokee Road.
Mailing Address: P O Box 310 166 N Cherokee Road
Social Circle, GA 30025
Phone: 770-464-2380
Email: manager@socialcirclega.gov
The Newton County Board of Education generally meets twice each month, once in a work session and once in a regularly scheduled meeting. Exceptions occur during the months of April, June and July, when the Board meets only once. The Board of Education adopts a meeting schedule each January and those dates are published by the Newton County School System Public Relations Department.
Board work sessions and meetings are held at 7 p.m. and are open to the public. The Board meets in executive session at 6 p.m. prior to each work session and monthly meeting. Executive sessions are not open to the public as they include discussions on potential litigation, personnel issues, and future real estate acquisitions. Other called Board meetings are scheduled as necessary to approve bids, hear appeals, and discuss
Adopt-aMile
Any family, organization, business, club, or other group can adopt-a-mile!
Participating groups agree to clean up roadside litter along their adopted mile 4 times per year.
Signs are erected to advertise and acknowledge groups who participate.
website: www.keepnewtonbeautiful.org or call to sign up or to get more information
budget issues and other matters that require immediate Board action. Board members also attend training workshops and district and state meetings throughout the school year.
Meetings are held at the Newton County School System Administrative Services building, located at 2109 Newton Drive NE, Covington, Georgia 30014, and begin promptly at 7 p.m.
Contact: 770-787-1330
Dr. Duke Bradley III Superintendent
Shakila Henderson-Baker District 3
Trey Bailey District 1
Anderson Bailey District 4
Eddie Johnson District 2
Abigail Coggin District 5
The following is a listing of ways to contact water utilities in Newton County. Your provider will vary, depending on where you live:
Newton County Water & Sewerage Authority
770-787-1375
www.ncwsa.us
https://ncwsa.us/customer-service/
City of Covington:
770-385-2000
City of Mansfield
770-786-7235
City of Newborn
770-787-1660
City of Oxford:
770-786-7004
City of Porterdale
770-786-2217
Newton County
Water & Sewerage Authority
Covington Police Department 13183 Harland Dr NE 770-786-7605
Porterdale Police Department
2602 Main St., Porterdale 770-786-2226
Oxford Police Department 110 W. Clark St., Oxford 770-788-1390
Social Circle Police Department
138 E Hightower Trail, Social Circle; 770-464-2366
Newton County Fire Service 4136-A U.S. Hwy. 278 770-784-2116
Covington Fire Department 2101 Pace St., Covington 770-385-2100
Social Circle Fire Department 165 East Hightower Trail, Social Circle 770-464-0621
Newton County Sheriff’s Office 15151 Alcovy Road NE
General Information | 678-625-1400 Jail Information | 678-625-1420
Covington – Newton County 911 Center 11234 Alcovy Road NE Emergency: 9-1-1 Non-Emergency: 678-342-8790
