The Covington News | October 2nd, 2016

County discusses what to do with 2017 SPLOST. local, 2A

Preston Taylor’s game-winner lifts Rams in Region 8-AAAAAAA contest. sports, 1B

The story of your life since 1865

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Vol. 151, No. 39 $1

Your Hometown Hero for 2016: Marlee Anne Hopkins

Duane M. Ford | The Covington News

Margarett Cicarelli and Donna Flemming speak at a town hall meeting about Opportunity School Districts Thursday.

Opportunity school’s fate to be discussed at Town Hall Duane M. Ford news@covnews.com

This fall, Georgia voters will decide the fate of the Opportunity School District (OSD) that has been proposed by Governor Nathan Deal. A “yes” vote on Amendment 1 supports creation of the OSD; a “no” vote on Amendment 1 opposes the creation of OSD. Early voting begins Oct. 17, 2016.

The Newton County and Rockdale County school systems conducted a joint town hall meeting Thursday to discuss why both school boards have passed resolutions opposing the OSD. Featured speakers where Margaret Ciccarelli, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Professional Association of Georgia

u See school, 11A

Health district earns national accreditation Sandra Brands sbrands@covnews.com

Marlee Anne Hopkins was named the 2016 Hometown Hero by The Covington News and General Mills. The 14-year-old Covington resident was selected for this honor by a committee of General Mills employees, after she was recommended by readers of The Covington News. The committee selected Hopkins from around a dozen nominations.

Find out all about the Hometown Heroes inside on pages 5A through 8A.

After a rigorous peer review, the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale (GNR) County Health Department was nationally accredited through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) in August. It is one of just three of Georgia’s 18 health districts comprised of one or more of the state’s 159

u See health, 11A

NCSS seeks to know more about poverty

Eastside High School homecoming Left: Eastside High School’s 2016 Homecoming Queen is Mackenzie Malllard. The Eagles’ Top Talon is Josh Sims.

Right: Eastside’s Mackenzie Mallard, was escorted by her father Leo Mallard Friday night.

Mackenzie’s mother is Renee Mallard.

By Sandra Brands sbrands@covnews.com

It’s not just the poor who are affected by poverty. It’s the entire community.

That’s why the schools needs to be more poverty-informed, according to Craig Lockhart, Newton County School System Deputy Superintendent., “We are at the point where we’ve done a lot of academic things, but we feel we can’t move forward without addressing poverty,” he said.

Lockhart and Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey have been working on an initiative

Photos by Anthony Banks The Covington News

u See poverty, 11A

For the most up-to-date news in Newton County, visit CovNews.com

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81 53 Henderson-Baker elected to GSBA Board of Director Staff Reports news@covnews.com

Shakila Henderson-Baker, District 3 representative for the Newton County Board of Education, was recently elected by the Georgia School Boards Association’s Board of Directors. Henderson-Baker will fulfill the remaining term of District 4, vacated by Katrina Young, who was elected Vice-President of the GSBA Board of Directors.

As the District 4 Director, Henderson-Baker will represent Newton, Rockdale, DeKalb and Decatur City school systems on the GSBA board. GSBA’s 14 district directors represent 180 elected boards of education in the state of Georgia.

“We are extremely pleased to have Shakila HendersonBaker join our Board of Directors,” said GSBA Executive Director Valarie Wilson.

“This is an important role and one that demands a high level of leadership.”

The GSBA has been serving local school boards for more than 60 years by providing leadership, advocacy and professional services and training to the state’s local boards of education.

“I am extremely grateful to be representing the Newton, Rockdale, DeKalb, and City Schools of Decatur on the Board of Directors of GSBA,” Henderson-Baker said.

The Covington News

SPLOST projects, revenues discussed Bryan Fazio bfazio@covnews.com

The Newton County Board of Commissioners (BOC) started its course for a 2017 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) Monday.

The BOC discussed a preliminary list of projects, reviewed how much of potential SPLOST money would be dedicated to roads, infrastructure, debt and projects, and planned when it would meet with municipalities.

Among the projects and their estimated cost brought in front of the BOC by County Manager Lloyd Kerr were: •Senior Center expansion — $2 million •Animal Control facility — $3-5 million •Brick Store interior renovation — $500,000 •Yellow River Trail — $4 million •Fleet replacement — $3-4 million •Juvenile Court building — $1 million •African-American museum — $1.3 million •911 upgrade — $5-10 million •Veterans park (joint with city) — $2 million •Fire Services — $7.2 million •Recreation — $1 million

•NCSO building and communications — $7.6 million •Heavy equipment — $4.7 million •Chimney Park — $300,000 •Victoria Station and Dina Pace — $193,000 •Nelson Heights — $1.5 million •New Leaf Workforce — $50,000 •Washington Street — $800,000 •Trelawney Park — $800,000 •Settlers Grove — $250,000 •R.L. Cousin — $2.5 million •Judicial Center expansion — $2.5 million •Land acquisition The board agreed that debt reduction and transportation were important to include on the 2017 project list to the tune of around $30 million for debt reductions and $25 million for transportation.

“Whoever the next board is, and everyone else in the decision-making is going to find that having flexibility to be able to go to Atlanta and the [department of transportation] and say we have this much, and it is not earmarked, is very important,” said Newton County Chair Keith Ellis. “In terms of making decisions, lord oh mercy, you need that $25 million.”

District 5 Commissioner Levie Maddox, along with debt reduction and transportation, said SPLOST needs to include “larger regional

community calendar Street Gym; $25 a Sunday month; register at Turner October 2 Lake Complex or at newtonrecreation.com.

Cars of the Past The Rotary Club of Covington’s annual car show featuring cars, trucks, motorcycles and golf carts from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Covington Square.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra The Grand Opening concert of the Porter Performing Arts Center, 140 Ram Drive, Covington. Concert begins at 2 p.m.

Monday October 3

Porterdale City Council Regular council meets the first Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 2400 Main Street.

Bingo 7 p.m.; Covington Elks Lodge on Mondays and Thursdays; building open 5:30 p.m. Smoke free. Come out and enjoy the fun. 770-7879499 Civil Air Patrol Newton County Composite Squadron 9 p.m. every Monday Night; Covington Municipal Air Port, 15200 Airport Road, Oxford; open to youth 12 to 18 years old and adult volunteers; Lt. David Holbrook 404317-0227 or dholbroo5@bellsouth.net.

Town of Newborn Town Council meetings 7 p.m. first Monday of every month in the Newborn Town Hall.

Covington Rotary Lunch at noon, followed by guest speaker at Covington First United Methodist Church.

Wednesday October 5 Storytime Newborn Library Outlet, 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 770-787-1126 for more information.

AA Serenity House Meetings at noon, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily; 10102 Old Atlanta Highway, Covington.

Free Health Clinic Helping Hands Outreach, 1733 Lake Rockaway Road, Conyers; for uninsured or under-insured children and adults; nonemergency care such as physical exams, lab work, blood pressure, diabetes, mammogram, paps, prostate test, HIV test; prescription assistance available; AA Serenity House Women’s meeting at 6 p.m. at 10102 Old Atlanta Highway, Covington.

Thursday October 6 Bingo Starts at 7 p.m. and Covington Elks Lodge building open 5:30 p.m.

Smoke free.

Covington City Council Breastfeeding Support The Covington City Group Council meets on the From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. first and third Monday first Thursday of the of every month at 6:30 month for breastfeedp.m. in the Council ing women and babies; Room at City Hall.

Physician’s Pavilion

Auditorium at Piedmont Newton. Cost is free; Social Circle Lions For more information Club call 770-385-4182.

First Monday of every month at noon and at Social Circle United Methodist Church.

Tuesday October 4

Paint Party at the Gallery Southern Heartland Art Gallery sponsors a Paint Party with a gallery artist mentor 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ladies Fitness Class 9 a.m. at the, Conyers

Take Off Pounds Sensibly 7 p.m. at the Little Red School House next to the Covington Y. For more information call Bette Hamby at 770786-8444.

Ladies Fitness Class At 9 a.m. at the Conyers Street Gym; $25 a month; register at Turner Lake Complex or at newtonrecreation.com.

projects that can affect more people.”

Among the items he suggested was an aquatic/swim center.

“I think we need to challenge the community to more bigger-thinking projects that will improve quality of life,” Maddox said.

Ellis said a way to improve quality of life for one group of Newton County residents is by improving the senior center.

Improvements to the senior center were on the list of potential items for the 2005 SPLOST and the 2011 SPLOST, but did not make it onto the ballot.

“We cannot let them be denied this time,” Ellis said. “We owe it to them to make sure that it is one of the top priorities.

“I love the idea of trying to improve our animals, and love the idea of trails.

But we have to assess what is the best thing for the most citizens, and let’s find a way to make an area for those seniors that still can dance to dance.”

Kerr laid out for the BOC how much revenue is roughly expected to be brought in if a 2017 SPLOST referendum was to pass. He said between $850,000 and $900,000 a month would be possible, equating to about $10.2 million to $10.8 million per year for around $61.2 million to $64.8 million throughout the

Ready, Set, School Club The Learning Center is sponsoring a program for preschoolers each Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Newborn Library Service Outlet, Child’s Building, Newborn. For information, call 770787-1126.

Saturday October 8 Marine Corps League 9 a.m.; second Saturday of each month; Little Red School House, Newton Drive; all former Marines welcome.

life of the SPLOST. State law dictates that SPLOST revenues be divided between counties and municipalities, and the way Newton has done it in the past two SPLOST allocations has been percentages derived from population. That left the county with around 83 percent of the SPLOST revenues. If that was applied to Kerr’s projections for a 2017 SPLOST, the county would receive a share of $51.1 million to $53.8 million.

Newton County and the five municipalities will have to meet to discuss projects, and form an intergovernmental agreement on how funds will be distributed. Those meeting dates were also discussed Monday.

According to Kerr, who was instructed to consult a calendar and report the dates back to the board, a letter to municipalities will need to be sent by Oct. 1. Around Oct. 9 a meeting would need to be held with the municipalities and an intergovernmental agreement adopted around Nov. 1. That would put a March election in motion, with the board of elections needing to be notified by Nov. 16, a call for election needing to be published by Dec. 12, absentee ballots issued between Jan. 31 and Feb. 4 and election day on March 21.

Washington Street School Association 7:30 p.m. second Saturdays, Washington Street Community Center; Eugenia Nevels, 404-691-9215.

2nd annual Charity Classic Car and Motorcycle Show Hosted by Pace Masonic Lodge No.558;Sponsored

by Greg Rogers and Tommy South; Entry Fee: $25 per Vehicle or Motorcycle 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Event will take place in the Kmart/Ingles/Five O’clock parking lot in Covington

Cleanup Keep Covington/Newton

Beautiful (KCNB) needs volunteers to help clean up local rivers.

Rivers Alive! — Saturday, October 8. Register by September 30. Meet at Longhorn Steakhouse of Covington at 9 a.m. to get free T-shirts, breakfast, and supplies. Visit www.kcnb.biz for registration and details.

Kim Atkins Foundation Courtesy Ford is donating $20 to the Kim Atkins Foundation for every free test drive taken. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Courtesy Ford 1636 Dogwood Drive SE, Conyers, GA 30013

local

The Covington News

Sunday, October 2, 2016

3A

Partnership looks to protect local water quality

By Sandra Brands sbrands@covnews.com

In the last year, 27 volunteers have been trained to monitor a stream site and report the results, keeping track of potential pollution problems and environmental changes.

The volunteers are the result of a partnership between the Yellow River Water Trail (YRWT), the Georgia Wildlife Federation (GWF) and the City of Covington, offering the workshops and allowing the Yellow River Water Trail to use the web lab and equipment at the Alcovy Conservation Center on Hazelbrand Road.

According to Tamela Mills, GAAS Community Coordinator and Trainer for the Yellow River Water Trails, Kevin Sorrow, Covington’s arborist, provides supplies such as chemicals and bacterial films, as part of the city’s Best Management Practices program, so that volunteers have the tools and training needed to gather reliable data.

“Georgia Wildlife Federation and the City of Covington have been wonderful partners. We are grateful for their collaboration and shared resources, and we’re excited to be monitoring more waterways,” said Mills.

GAAS is a program of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to promote and track water quality statewide.

Mills said that when a volunteer adopts a stream site they become responsible for monthly monitoring. Results

Submitted photo | The Covington News

On the banks of Cornish Creek, Tamela Mills, GAAS Coordinator and Horticulturist, discusses how to choose a test site during a chemical monitoring workshop on the grounds of Georgia Wildlife Federation’s Alcovy Conservation Center.

are reported, raising awareness of potential pollution problems in a community, building a baseline of water quality data so environmental changes are more easily recognized, and increasing the likelihood of detecting pollution problems quickly.

“More trained eyes on the waters leads to faster and more effective pollution detection,” Mills said. “The YRWT is the only GAAS [Georgia Adopt-A-Stream] training program in a six-county area, but it also serves environmental enthusiasts anywhere in the state, which is a standard policy for GAAS programs.

A state park staff person from Helen, Georgia, was one of the first workshop attendees in Newton a year ago. She has since become a trainer herself through the park.

As a result of the partnership, 13 workshops in bacte-

Submitted photo | The Covington News

Katherine Hudspeth and her daughter Virginia of Avondale Estates are practicing chemical monitoring in the field at Georgia Wildlife Federation in Covington.

rial, chemical and macroinvertebrate monitoring have been held. The 27 people who trained earned 48 certificates.

As the program gains visibility, YRWT hopes to serve more and continue work towards improving local water quality, Mills said.

Tackling water monitoring Mills reports that Newton County has new and dedicated volunteers tackling water monitoring in the area. They include: Jill Woodward, who monitors Cornish Creek on the Georgia Wildlife Federation grounds; Dave Sheffield, has adopted Big Haynes Creek, the northern-most tributary in Newton; Smitty Smith, Skip Davis, Terry McMillan, Al Vedder and Jared Goden, members of the Jackson Lake Homeowners Association, have been lake monitors for several years.

They are the only group in the area to use advanced monitoring equipment that is being trial tested by the state GAAS office. This group has also adopted several new strategies to better monitor the downstream ends of the South, Yellow and Alcovy rivers as they enter Jackson Lake; Debra Griffith, YRWT Chair and a microbiologist by profession, has taken on the monthly task of monitoring three Yellow River tributaries— Gum Creek, Norton’s Branch and Beaverdam Creek; Kemily Pattillo, AP Chemistry Teacher at the Newton College and Career Academy, is reviving a water monitoring program that former environmental science teacher Jim Stansell managed until he retired about three years ago.

Pattillo’s STEM students will be conducting water monitoring on the banks of the Yellow River. This will be the only student program in the county.

Christian Goerner, a YRWT Summer Intern and Wofford College Senior, assisted in a two-month stream buffer study of Town Branch Creek in downtown Covington this summer using chemical testing and visual stream survey tools.

Mills tests on Town Branch Creek at Rebecca Street, at the tributary by Newton High School and spot testing county-wide. She also conducted the buffer study on Town Branch Creek, looking at erosion and water quality in 16 sites along the two-mile creek.

Mills has been involved in GAAS for four years and was first trained by Phillips.

Uploaded to a state database The data gathered is uploaded to a statewide data-

base available for anyone to observe, Mills said. Using the database, people can track water quality, identify pollution, research environmental concerns and raise awareness.

According to Harold Harbert, the Georgia Department of National Resources (DNR) Environmental Outreach Manager over GAAS, the most recognized monitoring event in Newton County occurred several years ago when former GAAS Trainer Robert Phillips discovered spoiled eggs from a chicken farm on a local river were being dumped into the waterway. The issue was quickly addressed.

Three primary certifications are available through GAAS and offered locally are: Bacterial monitoring detects E. coli populations, an indicator species for other pathogenic bacteria. If high levels of bacteria are detected, an assessment of possible sources will be gathered and the state and local agencies may be contacted to troubleshoot.

Chemical monitoring is a brief snapshot of the health of the stream using pH, temperature, ion conductivity and dissolved oxygen. This is useful for detecting ongoing pollution such as leaking pipes and lawn chemical run-off. Salt spread on roads during a winter storm would be detected with basic chemical monitoring for a few days and then

gone, but the effects would be long-lasting, Mills said.

Those long-lasting effects are detected with macroinvertebrate monitoring.

Macro-invertebrates are small, fresh water-dwelling insect larvae, crustaceans and worms. Dragonfly and damselfly larvae, aquatic worms and crayfish are a few found locally. This tool gives a longrange health profile. A sign that water quality has deteriorated is finding only pollutiontolerant macro-invertebrates in the stream or river. Trained eyes, Mills said, can look for causes. If species known to be very sensitive to pollution are found, then the water quality has been and continues to be high.

“Think of these [macroinvertebrates] as the canaries in the mine shafts, but they choose to live in a given area.

Monitors simply look to see which ones are present,” said Mills.

Upcoming training workshops Fall workshops will take place in the evenings in October.

A bacterial monitoring workshop will be on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Chemical monitoring will be held Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Space is limited and registration is required. To register for a workshop and adopt a section of the stream, contact Mills at mills.tamela@ gmail.com.

IN CONCERT Date: Saturday, October 15 Time: 6:30 pm (Doors Open at 5:30 pm) Location: High Point Baptist Church, 12025 Hwy. 36, Covington hpbc@att.net / 770-786-5985 Cost: $7.00/Person (Seating is Limited) gordonmote.com

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Amanda Ellington aellington@covnews.com

Postal information The Covington News (USPS 136140) is published weekly on Sunday, for $55 a year for home delivery, or $72 by mail per year by Covington Newspaper Company, Inc., 1166 Usher St., Covington, GA 30014. Periodicals postage paid at Covington, GA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Covington News, P. O. Box 1249, Covington, GA 30015.

our thoughts Hometown Hero Today we get the privilege of celebrating our Hometown Hero.

Every year, The Covington News recognizes a local who goes out of his or her way to make their hometown a little better.

But really, it is a way to celebrate and remind ourselves of the spirit that makes our annual Hometown Hero, the finalists for the award and — new this year — the nominees such special individuals.

In previous editions, when describing our vision of what a Hometown Hero is, we spurred readers to reflect on those words themselves, and nominate residents for this honor.

Residents recommended several worthy individuals, who then were selected by committee members from General Mills.

General Mills and The Covington News have had a long-standing partnership for the Hometown Heroes.

We, as a community newspaper, celebrate all that is good in our community. As a company, General Mills goes by the motto “serves the world by making food people love.”

The two go hand-in-hand. General Mills Covington Plant Manager Mark Bible considers his company’s motto amazing, both because of the primary concept and that company leadership is bold enough to use the word love.

We would agree with his assessment, and that it is a key component to the Hometown Hero.

We regularly celebrate both our home and heroes often within these pages. But the opportunity to celebrate the unsung heroes you will find on pages 5 through 8 of this edition, who were nominated by our readers, voted on by our readers, and then finally selected by a committee with serving and love at the heart of it — well, that’s something special.

We did things differently this year. Instead of selecting from heroes that have only had their story told in The Covington News, we asked our readers to nominate candidates. We asked people to recognize those around them that do more without asking, give without taking and work tirelessly without expecting credit.

Once nominations were made, the public could vote.

Voting only helped to qualify the candidates in a ranked order for presentation to the committee. This was not a popularity contest — that would fly in the face of the unsung hero. This was a project to uncover the best-untold story of an unsung hero.

Each nominee is deserving of the recognition. Each person was considered, at some level or another, to embody the characteristics of a hero; to embody what truly makes this community great with their giving spirit.

The selection of just one was nearly impossible, so we applaud all nominees and especially the three finalists. As you will see in our Hometown Heroes’ section this year’s nominees were from multiple generations.

Whether you are 7, 14, or a bit older, you can be an inspiration to others.

In essence, what Hometown Heroes all have in common is inspiring others.

We hope that the stories of this year’s Hometown Hero, finalists and nominees inspire each of us to take on their characteristics of selflessness, love, heroism and support of our hometown.

HAVE YOUR SAY The Covington News welcomes your letters to the editor and cartoons on issues of public concern. Please include full name, hometown and phone number (for verification purposes).

Only names and hometown will be published.

Letters should be limited to 500 words and may be edited or condensed by the editor.

Only one editor per month from the same writer or organization will be printed.

We do not publish poetry, letters from thirdparty sites, letters involving personal, business or legal disputes or blanket letters. Generally, we do not publish letters concerning consumer complaints unless related to a recent reported story. Unsigned or incorrectly identified letters will be withheld.

Letters must be submitted by noon on Wednesday for Sunday publication.

SPECIAL NOTE: The Covington News will not publish Letters to the Editor from any active or declared political candidates of the current election season. We also will not publish letters written specifically to promote the campaign of individual candidates or to attack specific candidates on a personal level. We do welcome letters addressing issues of importance that arise during election season. As a general rule, no election related letters will be published the Sunday immediately prior to Election Day. *Mail: Editor, The Covington News, P.O. Box 1249, Covington, GA 30015 *In person: 1166 Usher St. Covington, GA 30015 *email: news@covnews.com

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Who should judge the judges?

There are roughly 2,000 judges in Georgia, serving at every level of the judicial system from the State Supreme Court all the way down to local magistrate judges.

The great majority of these men and women are honorable people who try to do a decent job of making sure justice is served in their courtrooms. But there are occasionally dishonest or emotionally disturbed people who have to be removed from their judgeships for the good of the community.

Over the past decade, more than 60 bad judges have left the bench because of their misconduct. Let’s look at what some of them did.

One of the judges told a female lawyer handling a divorce case that she should drop her pants in a private display in the judge’s chambers.

Another judge pulled out a handgun while presiding in court and told a female witness, “You might as well shoot your lawyer.”

Another judge arranged to have evidence planted so that a woman was arrested on drug charges by local law enforcement officers. He did this after she refused to have sex with him.

Another judge was caught having sex with an assistant public defender who had represented defendants in his courtroom.

however, and Another judge some of them ordered a drug started comoffender to be plaining to legheld in solitary islators. confinement for Among its an indefinite pemany investigariod of time, protions of judges, hibiting all conTom Crawford the JQC admittacts with family, Columnist tedly mishanattorneys or drug dled a couple court counselors.

The young offender attempt- of them involving Cynthia ed to commit suicide by slit- Becker, a former DeKalb County Superior Court judge, ting her wrists.

These were judges who and Mitchell Scoggins, a Barclearly were a danger to public tow County probate judge.

“We still owe an apology to safety and decency every day that they sat on the bench. both of these people,” Hyde They were removed from the conceded at a recent legislajudicial system largely as a tive hearing.

Some lawmakers are using result of investigations conducted by the Judicial Quali- those two cases as an excuse fications Commission (JQC). to dismantle the JQC as an The JQC is one of the independent commission. smallest agencies in state gov- They plan to replace it with ernment, but it has played an an agency that is controlled by important role in weeding out legislators and empowered to people unfit to be dispensing conduct its business secretly.

The General Assembly justice.

In many instances, the passed a constitutional mere prospect of being hauled amendment that will be before the JQC and having on the Nov. 8 election baltheir misdeeds exposed in a lot. If voters approve it, that hearing is enough to persuade amendment will dissolve a judge under investigation to the current JQC and give legislators free rein to revoluntarily resign.

“When I tell them they’re place it.

You can figure out the legentitled to a public trial, a light bulb seems to go on in their islative intent here by looking head,” said Richard Hyde, for at the names of those who several years the JQC’s chief sponsored the constitutional investigator. “They don’t want amendment. They include state Rep. Johnnie Caldwell Jr. a public trial.”

Judges are powerful people, (R-Thomaston).

Caldwell was one of the judges I referred to earlier, the one who made lewd, sexually suggestive remarks to a female attorney. After the JQC investigated him in 2010, Caldwell agreed to leave the bench immediately and never run for a judgeship again.

That promise did not extend to running for the legislature, however, which Caldwell did in 2012 when he won his House seat.

Georgia needs an independent agency like the Judicial Qualifications Commission.

Judges are some of the most powerful people in our political system, and unless monitored by an outside commission, bad judges will continue to sit on the bench.

If there are objections to the way the JQC handled a couple of its cases, the best solution is to revise the rules governing the agency to prevent the mistakes from happening again.

It should not be an excuse to eliminate one of the best protections that citizens have against corrupt judges.

Voters should vote no on this constitutional amendment.

Tom Crawford is editor of The Georgia Report, an internet news service at gareport. com that reports on state government and politics. He can be reached at tcrawford@gareport.com.

Is this bed-wetting liberal really a right-wing redneck? late, great Ray Oh, great. I Charles Robinhave just been son. outed. It turns I thought it out that I am was a smasha bed-wetting ing idea. Alas, liberal redneck. those who You were sure aren’t through to find that out fighting a war sooner or later, Dick Yarbrough that we lost 151 Columnist so let me exyears ago didn’t. plain.

A while back, I suggested That included Mr. Angry that if Congressman John White Guy, who promptly Lewis of Atlanta and some took me to the verbal woodof his buddies with too shed and called me a “bedmuch time on their hands wetting liberal” as well as all were having heartburn my friends who he was conover Alexander Stephens of vinced had voted for Barack Crawfordville — the former Obama for president. That vice president of the Con- didn’t exactly sit well with federate States of America one of my friends I am rea— representing the Great sonably sure voted for Attila State of Georgia in the Na- the Hun and even then had tional Statuary Hall collec- some reservations about his tion in Washington, I had a conservative credentials.

I didn’t mind the accusasolution that I was sure everyone would find satisfac- tion, although the bed-wettory. Replace Mr. Stephens ting part made me a bit unwith Ray Charles Robinson comfortable. When attending some high-brow, black-tie of Albany.

I am sure Mr. Stephens soiree, I had this feeling that did a lot of wonderful things people were whispering to that earned him a slot in the one another, “Look over National Statuary Hall along there. That’s Dick Yarbrough, with Crawford W. Long, of the modest and much-beDanielsville, and the lumi- loved columnist, munching naries representing the 49 on a broccoli canape. I underother states. But whatever it stand that if you say ‘Barack was, it did not include singing Obama’, he will wet his bed.

“Georgia on My Mind,” the Isn’t that adorable?”

Still, being publicly identigreatest song ever written in the history of the Earth. And fied as a liberal of any ilk had nobody ever sang it like the its rewards. For one thing, it

increased the liberal sense of humor quotient by several light years. Liberals are a lot of things. Funny is not one of them. Liberals are too busy hectoring the masses on the benefits of big government to worry about having a sense of humor. I’ve seen tree fungus funnier than liberals.

I was in the process of getting my own bullhorn and heading for the streets to protest all that is wrong with our country and why we can never have enough illegal immigrants and had even made plans to celebrate my origins with a hyphen (I am an East Point-American), when I got an email from a highly perturbed reader. She took offense with my criticism of Mr. Bucket Head in San Francisco, who is paid $10 million a year to play a kid’s game (which he isn’t good enough to play regularly) and who makes a big show out of being sure we know he disrespects our national anthem. As I recall, I believe I said he had the right to disrespect whatever floats his boat just as I have the right to disrespect Mr. Bucket Head, which I do — to the tips of my toes.

Had I been thinking (insert joke here), I would have realized that such comments would likely blow my bedwetting liberal credentials to smithereens. And it did.

Highly Perturbed Reader called me a redneck, among a bunch of other less-thancomplimentary things. That wasn’t helpful. Even someone as eloquent as your modest and much-beloved columnist is going to have a hard time convincing the world that one can be a liberal and a redneck at the same time.

Highly Perturbed Reader worked me over good and when she had finished pounding on me, in a gesture of overwhelming magnanimity, told me she was going to cut me a break and not tell the editors or my readers what a shameful person I am because “I am nicer than you.”

Bless her heart.

So, here I am. To one reader, I am a bed-wetting liberal. To another, a loathsome right-wing redneck.

My response? I believe Ray Charles Robinson, of Albany, Georgia, belongs in the National Statuary Hall in Washington and that Mr. Bucket Head is an ungrateful, irrelevant, overpaid jerk. I hope that clears up any confusion. Being a bedwetting liberal redneck isn’t as easy as I make it look.

Reach Dick Yarbrough at yarb2400@bellsouth.net; at P.O. Box 725373, Atlanta, Georgia 31139; at dickyarbrough.com or at www.facebook.com/dickyarb.

instructional programs, summer art camps, ongoing art instruction, workshops, art gallery tours, and our weekly community paint party providing a totally free venue for Newton County residents to come and paint with an artist instructor. SHA, Inc. is a totally volunteer organization with no administrative over-

head or salaried personnel.

We do not petition our city or county for support from local taxpayers’ dollars.

We operate primarily from the generosity of our corporate sponsors and individual donors and the hard work and dedication of our member artists.

Linda Pflug, Show Director

letters to the editor

Thank you Dear Editor, Members of Southern Heartland Arts, Inc. wish to thank those who made this year’s judged art exhibit, Artful Harvest, a success: the show sponsor, UNITED BANK; the Heartland Woman’s Club; our Judges, Myra Frady, Melissa Parker and Elizabeth Collins; over 100

A landmark

artist participants, and the community for stopping by to view and experience the art on exhibit at Southern Heartland Art Gallery. The show was taken down Sept. 29.

Artful Harvest is but one of SHA’s nonprofit offerings to our community, which include The Cardinal Scholarship Fund for Visual Art,

Dear Editor, Covington’s downtown Square is a landmark.

The Statue of Liberty is a landmark.

Vulcan in Birmingham, Alabama is a landmark.

The Louvre’ in France is a landmark.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris is a landmark.

The Cliffs of Dover in England is a landmark.

Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a landmark Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England is a landmark.

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran-

cisco is a landmark.

The Pyramids in Giza, Egypt are landmarks.

Now, you see all these landmarks have some degree of permanence, strength and longevity — most are at least a hundred and some hundreds of years old.

I want you to look at these landmarks and tell me if you think any of them could actually be improved by the construction of a stupid wooden gazebo which may last 40 or 50 years. Only an idiot would pick one and say, “Yes, this one.”

According to the dictionary, a landmark is “a structure (as a building) of

unusual historical and usually aesthetic interest; especially one that is officially designated and set aside for preservation.”

Now, based upon these factual tidbits, do you see anywhere that describes a potential enhancement of our recognizable landmark here on the Covington Square by the addition of a stupid GAZEBO, designed by Covington’s Planning and Zoning Director Randy Vinson?

Oh, and PS; the voting public … They hate it. Just thought you should know that also.

Samuel M. Hay, III

The Covington News

hometown hero

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Marlee Anne Hopkins Hometown Hero for 2016

Bryan Fazio | The Covington News

Two winners of General Mills' and The Covington News' Hometown Hero honors. Marlee Anne Hopkins (left) was named the 2016 Hometown Hero, and her mother Kelli Hopkins was named the 2011 Hometown Hero.

Covington teen given honor at General Mills Friday The Covington News and General Mills proudly named its Hometown Hero for 2016 this week.

Marlee Anne Hopkins, 14, of Covington, received this honor during a ceremony at General Mills Friday.

A committee consisting of General Mills employees determined Hopkins exemplified the spirit of a hero. Hopkins was chosen because of her charity and willingness to help others without expecting any recognition for her actions.

Her selfless spirit was shared

Above: Marlee Anne Hopkins was named the 2016 Hometown Hero

by The Covington News and General Mills Friday. Right: Marlee Anne Hopkins and Debbie Hillman were two of the three finalists for the Hometown Hero presented

by The Covington News and General Mills.

Photos by Bryan Fazio The Covington News

by almost a dozen other local residents. All were nominated by peers during The Covington News’ and General Mills’ hunt for the 2016 Hometown Hero. Once the heroes were nominated online voting was held via The Covington News’ Face-

book page and the selections were sent to the committee for selection of the 2016 Hometown Hero.

Three finalists were invited to a small ceremony at General Mills Friday where the winner was announced and the finalists were thanked for their service.

We at The Covington News would like to thank all the nominees for being such a key part of our community for having the desire and taking action to make their hometown a better place.

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Hometown Hero

Sunday, October 2, 2016

The Covington News

Hometown Hero, 14, gives back after family tragedy Student raised more than $23,000 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

By Sandra Brands sbrands@covnews.com

Earlier this year, Marlee Anne Hopkins raised more than $23,000 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) in honor of her siblings. She stood “for the kids who cannot … in honor of [sisters] Michala, Mary Elizabeth and Abe, who could not stand.”

On Friday, General Mills and The Covington News named the 14-year-old the 2016 Hometown Hero.

Hopkins “has become an inspiration to not only me but many, many others,” said the anonymous person who nominated Hopkins for the award.

According to the nomination, Hopkins not only raised the $23,073, she took on a “21 days of miracles challenge,” visiting children who had been affected by the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals and sharing her visits via Facebook posts.

“Marlee Anne has not stopped,” the nominee wrote. “She continues to volunteer her time to the Miracle League and various other charity functions …

She is by far my hero!”

Hopkins, the daughter of Mike and Kelli Hopkins of Covington, lost two of her three siblings to rare disorders in 2014. Her brother, Abraham “Abe” Hopkins, 6, died of what was suspected to be mitochondrial disease, which caused constant seizures.

Older sister, Mary Elizabeth died at the age of 21 from mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, a condition which causes seizures and the failure of the brain to communicate with the nervous system.

Surviving sibling, Michala, 18, has Aicardi Syndrome, another rare disorder occurring only in females and characterized by seizures, retinal abnormalities and developmental disabilities.

“I feel honored and grateful for the award,” Marlee Anne Hopkins said.

“I think to have so many people in the community whose work is not recognized, to see all they do — it makes me feel completely grateful.”

Recognizing others in the community whose work may not be noticed, she said there were “so many in the community who serve

“

“

The standing challenge is really hard ... and sometimes it can represent what the miracle children go through. You might struggle with it, but with all the encouragement and inspiration, you can get through it.”

— Marlee Anne Hopkins

and who work to make the community better. It’s important to inspire others, to do things and reach out to the community.”

One simple act, “like bringing dinner to someone or reaching out to people who need help, just a simple act of kindness can have a big impact,” she said.

Marlee Anne has been raising money for CHOA since 2011. This is the third year she’s raised money through the UGA Miracle Dance Marathon.

“The standing challenge is really hard,” she said, “and sometimes it can represent what the miracle children go through. You might struggle with it, but with all the encouragement and inspiration, you can get through it.”

Family story shared The story of the Hopkins family has been shared frequently, not only in local and regional media, but at fund raisers and before the Georgia state legislature.

The family became medical refugees in November 2014, after the death of their oldest and youngest members because of excessive seizures.

Because Michala Hopkins continued to suffer from multiple daily seizures, the family moved to Colorado to take advantage of the availability of legalized medical marijuana.

The move came after Georgia’s lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would allow the legal use of cannabis oil, which is low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),

Hometown Heroes winners 2015-Katlyn Williams 2014-Jim Dial 2013-Jason Cripps 2012-Pam Dew 2011-Kelli Hopkins

the component that makes someone high, and high in cannabidiol (CBD), the medical component.

Two months leading up to the family’s move to Colorado, Michala Hopkins had 352 seizures, said Mike Hopkins, the children’s father. She had 46 after she began using cannabis oil in Colorado.

For the next 10 months, the family lived in Boulder and the Denver metro area, one of 17 Georgia families and 400 families nationally who became medical refugees in Colorado.

Mike Hopkins kept his job as Director of the Newton County Water and Sewer Authority, accumulating 95,000 frequent flyer miles.

A loophole in a farm bill passed in 2015, which allowed the purchase of low doses of cannabis oil, considered hemp, allowed the family the choice to move back home to Covington.

What she’s learned A polite and well-spoken teenager, Hopkins told The Covington News earlier this year that she has been blessed by CHOA and UGA Miracle.

“Being involved with this organization has really meant so much to me and helped me through a lot of things. You can really get through [difficult times] with the help of others and their encouragement, and with God. People can still do things after they’ve struggled so much.”

She said her experiences having siblings with disabilities have “given me a sense to love every kind of person, no matter what type of person they are, to literally see no boundaries,” she said. “I really do believe I love more than I ever would.”

To read more about Hopkins’ work, read “Teenager will stand up to raise money for UGA Miracle,” at http://www.covnews.com/ archives/200529/.

I feel honored and grateful for the award. I think to have so many people in the community whose work is not recognized, to see all they do — it makes me feel completely grateful.”

— Marlee Anne Hopkins

Congratulations Marlee Anne!

We Love You!!

You truly are a Hometown Hero!

From: Your friends at Social Circle Theater

Submitted Photo | The Covington News

Marlee Anne Hopkins raised more than $23,000 for the annual UGA Miracle fundraiser, a dance marathon, to benefit Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta.

hometown hero

The Covington News

Sunday, October 2, 2016

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Debbie Hillman pays her rent in service Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority named Hometown Hero finalist Bryan Fazio bfazio@covnews.com

Listening to Debbie Hillman talk about her life’s passion is enough for anyone to learn why she was selected as a finalist for The Covington News’ and General Mills’ 2016 Hometown Hero Award Friday.

Sure she was chosen as one of three finalists from around a dozen nominated Newton County residents for the honor. She was also honored by the Newton County MLK, Jr. Holiday Observance committee earlier this year for her work in the community. This week she will even be a presenter at the 46th Annual Conference of the National Black Child Development Institute in Orland this weekend, helping to guide her compatriots how to help others.

But those accolades aren’t what keeps Hillman pursuing a life of service. After all, she was helping her community since she was a child, following the example of her parents.

Hillman’s father, Garland Hillman served on the Newton County Board of Education and her mother, Zelman Hillman-Stewart, served at the local hospital. There are two scholarships at Piedmont Newton through Zelman HillmanStewart.

With that background for helping others established, Debbie Hillman joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in college at South Carolina State. She stayed with the sorority when she attended graduate school at Ohio State University.

She is a charter member of the Chi Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and actively works today through that sorority as its connection

“

I just think you’re never too old or young to serve.”

— Debbie Hillman

chair.

Monday, following the Hometown Hero ceremony at General Mills, Hillman ran voting drives at the Newton County Sheriff ’s Office, Salem High School and Sharp Stadium.

“My position is involved with political action but also it is focusing on issues in the community,” Debbie Hillman said.

The life-long member of Bethlehem Baptist Church is also a charter member of the Rockdale/Newton section of the National Council of Negro Women, President of Community C.A.R.E.S Foundation, Inc., a life member of the Newton County NAACP, a charter member of the East Metro Orchids and a board member of Angie’s House.

That’s in addition to her full-time job with National Black Child Development.

How does she find time to do it all? Her answer is simple. “I just do it,” she said.

“I believe service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy here on earth.”

She has been paying her rent for a while now and continues to do so, enjoying her time at General Mills Friday arm-in-arm with 14-year-old Marlee Anne Hopkins, who won the 2016 Hometown Hero award. With people like Hillman and Hopkins providing their talents to the Newton County community, it proves that people of all ages can contribute to a better hometown.

“I just think you’re never too old or young to serve,” Debbie Hillman said.

Above: Debbie Hillman, center, recieves a gift basket for being named a runner up for the 2016 Hometown Hero Friday. Presenting the basket is Hometown Hero committee members Karen Morgan, Carrie Muldoon and Justina Knutson, and Plant Manager Mark Bible. Left: Debbie Hillman, seated with her mother Zelma HillmanStewart and stepfather Riland Stewart, was named a runner up for the 2016 Hometown Hero award at General Mills Friday.

Photos by Bryan Fazio The Covington News

Congratulates

Soror Debbie Hillman for being fo i g noominateed as a

“Home Town Hero!”

Submitted Photo | The Covington News

Your “servicee to all mannkinnd” does nott go unnnoticeed!

Debbie Hillman is a charter member of the Chi Tau Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Sorority, Inc.

Congratulations, Debbie R. Hillman!

Nominee for the Hometown Hero Award

The Pastor and Church Family Salutes Debbie Hillman as a HomeTown Hero Honoree 2177 Usher Street, NW Covington, GA 30014

770-786-8229

www.BethlehemBaptist-covga.org

Newton County NAACP Recipient of the 2011 Georgia State Conference of the NAACP Julius Hope Award

2015-2016 Officers Dr. Gwendolyn Haile Cattledge, President Dr. Darren Wright, First Vice President Rev. Yvonne English, Second Vice President Mr. Art Cruther, Treasurer Mr. Grady Pearson, Parliamentarian

Newton County NAACP #5224 • P.O. Box 2521 • Covington, GA • Phone: (770) 882-8588 Email: newtoncountynaacp@gmail.com • National Website: www.naacp.org Monthly Meeting – Fourth Thursday at 7:00 PM at St. Paul AME Church, Covington, GA

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Sunday, October 2, 2016

hometown hero

The Covington News

12-year old uses passion to be 2016 Hometown Hero finalist Bryan Fazio bfazio@covnews.com

When Kaitlyn Cole was 7-years-old she needed a community service project for her work in pageants.

The project she created was “Sweet Treats for Local Heroes” and she continued to work on it every year.

Now five years later, the project is no longer just a way

to boost her points in pageants, but has become a passion project.

That desire to continue to give back after starting at such an early age is what led the Hometown Hero committee at General Mills to select Cole as a finalist for this year’s award.

When Cole began “Sweet Treats for Local Heroes” she delivered 1,000 cookies to members of the Covington

and Porterdale Police departments. Since then dinner has been added, and new to her giving is “Hero Survival kits,” which include candy and items each, in itself, a symbol.

According to the anonymous person who nominated Cole for the 2016 Hometown Hero, her survival kits include: Life Savers to remind emergency personnel of the many times they’ve been one; Starburst, for

the burst of energy they need; a paper clip to help hold it all together; gum, so they can stick to it and do their best; a Tootsie Roll to help them roll with the punches; a peppermint, so they are reminded to keep their cool; a rubber band to remind them to be flexible and a penny for good luck.

Cole was the youngest of the nominees for the 2016 Hometown Hero award.

Kaitlyn Cole delivers cookies and treats to emergency personel through her Hero Survival kits.

Submitted Photo The Covington News

And the rest of the 2016 Hometown Hero nominees: Gail Smith

Tonya Bechtler

Sallie Paschal Congratulations to the HomeTown Heroes Honorees “It is important to understand the past in order to interpret the present, and plan for the future.”

– Linda D. Hays

THE CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT Newton County, Georgia

Dennis Hyde NEWTON COUNTY CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT • 1132 USHER STREET, SUITE 338 COVINGTON • 770-784-2035 • ALCOVYCIRCUIT.COM COMMITMENT. LOYALTY. SACRIFICE. DEDICATION.

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SHERIFF’S OFFICE COMMITTED

Salutes & Honors it’s Hometown Heroes 1145 Clark Street Covington, GA 30014 770-786-2635 www.ramseyfurniturecompany.com

TO EXCELLENCE

15151 Alcovy Road NE • Covington, GA 30014 678-625-1400 • newtonsheriffga.org

Ezell Brown, Sheriff

We are a full service Sheriff’s Office dedicated and committed to enforcing the laws enacted for the Protection of the Lives, Persons, Property, Health, and Morals of all citizens in Newton County.

We are a state certified law enforcement agency, a nationally accredited correctional facility and are seeking the national CALEA certification.

local

The Covington News

Sunday, October 2, 2016

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‘Talk with Me Baby’

Sandra Brands | The Covington News

Sherita Taylor-Rideout looks on as her 2-year-old daughter Aaliyah Rideout shows the book she received at the “Talk to Me Baby” event Tuesday at the Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale Public Health Department.

State-wide initiative hopes to help parents get their children to read regularly Sandra Brands sbrands@covnews.com

A student who can’t read on grade level by third grade is four times less likely to graduate by the age of 19 than a child who reads proficiently by that time, a 2011 study by the American Educational Research Association revealed. Yet, alarmingly “Get Georgia Reading” says that 64 percent of third-grade students are not reading proficiently.

That’s why the state-wide initiative “Talk with Me Baby” has been launched.

The initiative was launched in Newton County on Tuesday at the Newton County Public Health Department.

Partnered with the Newton County Library System, the initiative teaches parents how to talk lovingly to their children and provides resources and books for reading to them.

“The program [encourages] early literacy in children and language and brain development,” said Sarah Neale, Master of Public Health, Certified Health Education Specialist at Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale (GNR) County Public Health Department. “We started the program and we wanted to have a big kick-off day [announcing] that we’re doing this in our centers.”

Parents coming into the public health department for the WIC program can take advantage of the “Talk with Me Baby” initiative. According to Jennifer Wofford, WIC Program Operations for GNR County Health Department, the program was moved under WIC because in dealing with a lot of children 5-years and younger, that is the department that is most often the first point of contact.

“What was exciting about it,” said Wofford, “was getting parents excited about talking to their children. It’s kind of a general assumption that you know how to do that, but it’s not necessarily the case.”

Language nutrition “’Talk with Me Baby’ is a language nutrition program,”

Wofford said.

“Just as healthy food nourishes a growing baby’s body, language nutrition nourishes a baby’s brain,” it says on the “Talk with Me Baby website at http://www.talkwithmebaby.org/. “Both the quantity and quality of nourishing language are critical to healthy brain development.”

Designed to bridge the 30 million word gap between children from high-income families and children from low-income families, the initiative trains nurses to educate and coach expecting and new parents about why and how to talk with babies. A language nutrition curriculum and training materials are provided to WIC nutritionists to use with their clients.

“There is a curriculum method called, ‘I do, you do, we do,’” Neale said. “It starts with the clinician, who demonstrates [talking lovingly to children]. ‘Look, I’m talking and directly engaging this child.’ Then they bring in the parent and say, ‘Let’s do this together.’ Then [the clinician] asks the parent to ‘Show me how you do it.’”

Diane Shelton, Nutrition Services Director said 85 percent of brain growth occurs in the first three years of life.

“We decided to [give away books] as one of the incentives to get parents reading to their kids. That’s one of the ways they talk to children.”

Other ways include singing to them, narrating actions taken or thoughts during the day and describing items picked up or colors seen while grocery shopping.

Partnering with the library Neale said it made sense to ask the Newton County Library System (NCLS) to partner with them.

Lace Keaton, NCLS Director said when the Health Department called to ask if the library would partner with them, “we said ‘absolutely.’

“Children who have a good vocabulary by kindergarten do better in school,” she said.

“The library has a program, ‘B4,’ which encourages children to read or parents to

“

What was exciting about it was getting parents excited about talking to their children. It’s kind of a general assumption that you know how to do that, but it’s not necessarily the case.”

— Jennifer Wofford, WIC Program Operations for GNR County Health Department

read to them 1,000 books before they start kindergarten so they go into kindergarten ready to read.”

The library provides online and physical resources for parents. As long as the person checking out the material has a valid library card, they can check out 50 items at a time, Keaton said. “When they come in, we have a children’s area in all three of our locations,” Keaton said.

She said Galileo and the Georgia Public Library Service provide patrons with access to the Tumble Book Library, which is an ebook library that can be accessed by computer, tablet or smartphone. The library has around 250 books online that come with narration for children.

It doesn’t matter how reading material is presented, Keaton said. The only thing that matters is reading to them “as often as they can, at least once a day,” she said. “Any way you read to them, anything that’s interesting to them — it doesn’t make a difference what it is. Just get them involved in reading.”

The Talk with Me Baby originated in Georgia. In 2014, the initiative was recognized by the White House.

Other partners for the initiative include the Newton County Community Partnership, Marcus Autism Center at Emory Center, Emory University, the Georgia Department of Education, United Way and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

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LOCAL

Sunday, October 2, 2016

The Covington News

NCSS SAT scores increase across the board Staff reports news@covnews.com

Newton County School System’s (NCSS) overall scores on the SAT increased across the board in 2016. The district posted an 11-point increase in both reading and math and a six-point improvement in writing.

The increase of scores from NCSS students is a change of pace from the rest of the nation. While national scores reflected a downturn in scores in reading, math and writing, Newton County and Georgia bucked that trend.

The SAT, a national college entrance exam used to measure critical thinking skills students need for academic success in college, assesses how well students analyze and solve problems.

It is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors.

Alcovy High School students boosted their reading and math scores in the SAT by

one and seven points, respectively, in 2016. The school’s writing score dipped slightly, by just one point. As a result of their increased scores in two of three subject areas, the Alcovy SAT composite score improved by seven points in 2016. In fact, Alcovy has continued its upward trajectory on the SAT since 2014, when the school posted significant gains in every category. Last year the school increased scores again in math and writing and held steady in reading.

As a result of Alcovy’s three consecutive years of improvement, the school’s overall SAT composite score has increased by 26 points since 2013.

Eastside High School also posted huge gains on the SAT in 2016, besting the state’s score in math and writing and both the state and national score in reading along the way.

Eastside students improved reading and writing scores by 12 points and 10 points respectively in 2016; however,

2016 SAT statistics

Group Test takers Reading Math Writing Composite Alcovy High 177 444 433 435 1,312 Eastside High 149 497 494 481 1,472 Newton High 170 456 428 430 1,314 NCSS 496 464 450 447 1,361 Georgia 64,473 493 490 476 1,459 USA 1,637,589 494 508 482 1,484

math was where they posted their greatest gain, besting their previous year’s score by 25 points. As a result, Eastside’s SAT composite score increased by 47 points in 2016.

And the school’s 2016 results a one-time improvement as Eastside has continually raised the bar each of the last three years. The school has posted significant increases in every category on the SAT in 2014, 2015, and 2016. As a result, the school’s SAT composite score has rocketed 70 points since 2013.

Newton High School also showed marked improvement on the SAT in 2016.

Although the school’s math scores did decrease by five points, students boosted the school’s writing scores by four points and also posted a 14-point increase in reading. With gains in two out of three subjects, Newton’s SAT composite score showed great improvement, rising 13 points in 2016.

“Congratulations to our high school students, teachers, leaders and staff for their continued focus on improving SAT scores; the increases are significant and demonstrate a clear commitment to ensuring our students have choices beyond high school,”

said Samantha Fuhrey, NCSS Superintendent. “Our recent results are a reflection of the hard work and focus that is required of teachers and leaders as outlined in our system’s college and career ready plan.

The Newton County School System’s plan incorporates the work and efforts at all grade levels, as improvement in SAT scores begins in kindergarten.

Improving student outcomes takes a combination of high expectations of our students and staff, rigorous coursework in all grade levels, the daily utilization of highly effective teaching practices, and the commitment of our students

to place a high importance on their education. It is also important for students to have support from parents and family to reinforce the value of their education.”

Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800, with two writing sub-scores for multiple-choice and the essay. It is administered seven times a year in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Territories, and six times a year overseas. Students may take the test multiple times over multiple years.

Colleges and universities will use, for admission purposes, the highest score from a testing category; regardless of how many times the student has taken the test. The College Board, however, only reports collectively the most recent scores achieved by students.

“While we are not where we wish to be, we are committed to continuing our upward trajectory, and I am proud of the work of our NCSS team,” Fuhrey said.

Child’s Voice Child Advocacy Center marks 10 years

Bryan Fazio | The Covington News

A Child’s Voice Child Advocacy Center celebrated 10 years Sept. 21 with an open house at its Social Circle location.

Bryan Fazio bfazio@covnews.com

A Child’s Voice Child Advocacy Center celebrated 10 years of service with an open house at its Social Circle location Sept. 21.

The advocacy center was the brainchild of Superior Court Judge Ken Wynne, who spoke to a crowd of supporters gathered at Wednesday’s event. Wynne outlined the center’s ascension, including the behind the scenes work before the program came to fruition in 2006.

The center’s model utilizes teamwork and coordination between all agencies involved in child abuse cases in Newton, Walton and surrounding counties.

A Child’s Voice is a nonprofit organization that provides forensic interviews by specially-trained interviewers, forensic medical examinations, family advocacy services and community outreach, including training and education.

The center was in Covington until December 2008 and then in Loganville through 2012. A Child’s Voice then moved to its current location in Social Circle in April 2013.

Covington Police Chief Stacey Cotton serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors. Board members include Amy Greenway, Vice Chair of Edward Jones Investments; Lee Garrett, Treasurer of Liberty First Bank; Joe Chapman, Walton County Sheriff; Sharon Queen, Chief Nursing Officer of Clearview Medical Center; Tom Riermaier, Walmart Distribution Center; Dr. Priscilla Faulkner, Southeastern Psychological Services, Inc.; Dr. Lisa Miller, Lisa Miller Pediatrics PC; Penny Shirley Walton, DFCS; Wayne Morgan, Golden State Foods; Frank Turner, Jr., Greer, Stanfield and Turner; Bill Walker, Legacy State Bank; Layla Zon, Alcovy Circuit District Attorney and Bob Furnad.

Adult Day Healthcare Center

Bryan Fazio | The Covington News

Newton County Superior Court Judge Ken Wynne speaks during the open house for A Child’s Voice Child Advocacy Center on Sept. 21.

Church of God in

Christ

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The Covington News

school

>> From front page Educators, and Donna Fleming, Organizational Specialist for the National Education Association.

Ciccarelli said voters should not be fooled by the language of Amendment 1, “It sounds wonderful, but that is not the end of the story,” This concern was echoed by Samantha Fuhrey, Superintendent for Newton County School System, who said, “I fear voters will be swayed by the language of the amendment because it sounds glittery,” Fuhrey said, “but the implications of the OSD for children might be harmful.”

Registered voters may visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voter Page” (mvp. sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do) to see a sample ballot and read the language of Amendment 1. However, that language is as follows, “Provides greater flexibility and state account-

poverty

>> From front page to address poverty in the schools district-wide.

“We need to be more poverty informed,” Lockhart said.

School district leaders, including Board of Education members, have visited communities, transportation issues and food deserts — areas where access to fresh produce, dairy and meats is limited or nonexistent. “We’re trying to be aware of what impacts our school as far as poverty.”

“We’re looking at taking the lead,” Fuhrey said. People who have expressed interest in addressing issues associated with situational or generational poverty have been invited to partner “As a school system, we’ve gone a bit further at [how] the impact poverty has had on our students’ ability to perform at their peak.”

Building partnerships “We feel like you learn more every time you engage in the dialogue,” Fuhrey said.

She said she hoped Newton County could be a povertyinformed community, with structures set up that pool all resources in the community.

That includes building partnerships with government, nonprofit organizations and the faith and business communities. It’s one of the things Laura Betram, Executive Director of Newton County Community Partnership, believes is vital in an era of doing more with less.

“Our focus is to get the best bang for our buck,” Betram said. “We’re a poor community. We know what works in low income neighborhoods.

What people don’t need is another informational booklet.

What they need is someone to walk beside them.

“We have lots of little organizations doing good things, but if our goal is to have all students graduate from high school on time with the skills they need to have to be successful, we have to get better,”

ability to fix failing schools through increasing community involvement. Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow the state to intervene in chronically failing public schools in order to improve student performance?”

Ciccarelli said that sounds good, but alternative language drafted by Georgia State Senator Vincent Fort is closer to the truth about what Georgia citizens are being asked to decide. He put it this way, “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow an appointee of the Governor to take over local school operation, buildings, and control of all federal, state, and local funding if a school has low scores on standardized tests or for any other reason a future legislature may allow?” His language will not appear on the ballot.

If Amendment 1 and OSD are approved this fall, it will give the State of Georgia the power to take over the operation of schools deemed to be

“failing” based on test scores.

Schools scoring 60 or below on Georgia’s College and Career Readiness Index for three consecutive years would be eligible for takeover by the State’s OSD. Fuhrey pointed out that this standard is in itself problematic, “The State’s assessment instruments are neither valid nor reliable and have not been the same since 2012. This is why Newton County School System is trying to opt out of the State’s assessment model.

They are not achievement based and people need to understand that a manipulation of the testing standards could change the status of schools as to whether or not they are considered failing.”

The OSD would be administered by a superintendent appointed and supervised by the Governor. Once taken over, the OSD would take control of all Federal, state, and local funding, all buildings, and all operations away from the locally elected school board for a minimum of five years. Ciccarelli, Fleming, as well as many

she said, adding that when the community focus is on the needs and desires of a group, working with them to help them improve the quality of life, those helped train their children, their friends and their neighbors, helping them improve their lives.”

Betram said she has worked with focus groups in low-income areas. “In every one of the focus groups, at least one person says they want a better for their child then they have themselves,” she said. “What we need to do is model the right behaviors and connect them with resources.”

members who are impacted by poverty.”

Betram said Beegle’s training looks at why people live in poverty and what can be done to connect them with resources and help. She said people are penalized for living in poverty. For example, “You can’t get to probation because you don’t have a car, so now you have three more weeks of probation. You can’t get to the alternative schools because they don’t offer transportation, you get in trouble.

Being povertyinformed

Fuhrey echoes Betram’s belief that everyone has to work together to solve the issue of poverty.

“This has to be something our community embraces,” she said. “The issue of poverty can’t be solved in silos. Everyone has to work together to solve the issue of poverty.”

One of the shared goals of the cities, the county, the Chamber of Commerce and NCSS is attracting and educating a workforce that lives in Newton County to attract businesses and manufacturers.

“We need to help the Chamber and the mayors generate enough interest people bring their companies here.

We need them, they need us,” Fuhrey said.

Betram, Fuhrey and Lockhart have all trained with Donna Beegle, Ed.D., author of “See Poverty, Be The Difference,” and “An Action Approach to Educating Students Who Live in the Crisis of Poverty.” She is the president of Communications Across Barriers and the founder of The Poverty Bridge Project.

Beegle, Lockhart said “is very solution oriented. We can all identify the problem, but we all get stuck on what to do next.”

Fuhrey said in her 25 years of education, she has never heard of anyone who had a strategy for the solution. “The reason I’m so excited is there might be a way to change the lives of 70 percent of the children and those community

Breaking out of silos

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different Newton County and Rockdale County school board members and administrators expressed unanimous concern about the State wresting decisions about children as well as the use of local resources away from locally elected board members and communities. As Ciccarelli put it, “Who understands the needs better than local people?”

Once the OSD takes over a school deemed to be failing, the OSD superintendent would have four options. He/ she could close the school; administer the school directly; transfer the school to the State Charter Schools Commission; or develop a contract with the local school board requiring specific changes. Current teachers, staff members, and administrators could be retained by the OSD or released to the local school board for reassignment or layoff.

There are currently 130 schools in Georgia which, by the definition given above, are deemed to be failing. Ac-

health

>> From front page counties to receive such an accreditation.

“This accreditation honors our entire community and recognizes our ability to collaboratively address health issues of our time,” said the Health Director, Lloyd Hofer, M.D., M.P.H. “We are grateful for our dedicated staff and willing partners as we continue to work diligently toward a healthy, protected, and prepared community.”

The two other Georgia health districts to receive accreditation through PHAB are Cook and Douglas Public Health Department and DeKalb County Board of Health. The three Georgia districts are among the 151 health agencies PHAB has awarded accreditation to across the United States.

Tara Echols coordinated

Sunday, October 2, 2016 cording to Ciccarelli, three of those schools are State-run charter schools, raising the irony of the State taking over failing State run schools. No Newton or Rockdale county schools are currently considered failing and therefore none would be subject to OSD takeover.

Katrina Young, Rockdale County Public Schools Board Member, pointed out that the current OSD eligible schools serve about 68,000 students, which is 4 percent of Georgia’s 1.7 million elementary and secondary school children. Ciccarelli reported that if the State took control of all OSD eligible schools the total funding diverted from local to state control would amount to about $13 million per year.

Ciccarelli and Fleming both discussed the track record of OSD-like approaches in other states as well as alternative approaches to address the needs of struggling schools. Tennessee and Louisiana have OSD-like mechathe health department’s accreditation efforts. The accreditation, she said, “demonstrates our commitment to quality improvement and community engagement.”

PHAB is jointly supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and healthcare for all Americans.

The PHAB standards used to award accreditation are based on the 10 essential public health Services set form by the CDC and the National Public Health Performance Standards Program. Those services include: • community health assessment and registries; • diagnose and investigate infectious disease outbreaks; • health education and health promotion;

11A

nisms, but according to Ciccarelli and Fleming state takeovers there have had mixed results and in both cases families felt disconnected from their children’s schools.

They both said that although there is little evidence of success for the OSD approach, there is plenty of evidence for the success of alternative approaches.

Ciccarelli cited the need to provide resources to struggling schools to ensure they could hire the best teachers, support smaller class sizes, give students more attention, and provide “wrap around” health and nutrition services.

She said, “We need to take politics out of our schools and focus on what works.”

Local state representatives in attendance were unanimous in their opposition to Amendment 1 and OSD. That included Representative Pam Dickerson, District 113; Representative JaNice Van Ness, District 43; and Representative Doreen Carter, District 92.

• partner with private sector, civic groups, non-government organizations, faith communities and other community-based groups; • strategic and community health improvement planning; • enforcement of and review of laws; • access to health care; • public health workforce and leadership; • evaluation and continuous quality improvement; and • identifying and sharing best practices and participating in research.

• The Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments is in partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health. For information about the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments visit www. gnrhealth.com.

12A

The Covington News

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Last-second field goal boosts Newton past South Gwinnett Rams claim first Region 8-AAAAAAA victory, 13-12 Mariya Lewter mlewter@covnews.com

The Newton High School football team got its first taste of region play when the Souath Gwinnett Comets came to town on Friday, and it was Preston Taylor who gave the Rams their first region 8-AAAAAAA win. Down two points with six seconds remaining in the game, the kicker nailed a 38yard field goal to give Newton a 13-12 victory.

“We knew he had it in him,” said Newton head coach Terrance Banks. “He just had to believe, and he finally believed. He nailed two beautiful kicks. I’m so proud of him, I can’t even put it into words.”

Taylor’s performance definitely saved the Rams (4-1-1), who trailed for the majority of the second half.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, with neither team able to put points on the scoreboard.

Quarterback Blake Brock stepped in for an injured Myron Middlebrooks in the

Submitted photo | The Covington News

Blake Brock (10) runs down field agianst South Gwinnett in Newton’s win, 13-12, at Sharp Stadium Friday night.

game, but he was only able to complete two passes in the first quarter.

The second quarter was equally slow. Both teams appeared lifeless on offense, but it was the Rams’ penalties that helped push South Gwinnett (4-2) down the field multiple times. The

Comets scored the first touchdown of the game with 3:31 left in the first half. The Rams earned two more possessions before the clock winded down, but it was the Comets who scored again off a field goal when Newton failed to score again.

Down 9-0 at the start of

sion. After a near fumble, Brock recovered and ran the ball 20 yards for a Newton touchdown to bring the score to 9-7.

Penalties started to get the best of Newton again as two in a row pushed the Comets down to the red zone in Rams territory on the next

the third, the Rams came out gunning. After the Comets went three and out on the first possession of the quarter, Newton got the ball back and moved within South Gwinnett territory.

On fourth-and-7, a 14-yard Brock pass to Michael Mathison saved Newton’s posses-

possession, but a fumble recovery by senior Jaquan Henderson got the ball back for Newton. The Rams took over at their own 12-yard line, and Brock turned up the heat, running the ball down to South Gwinnett’s

u See newton, 3B

Seeing double: Twin football players excel at Alcovy Mariya Lewter mlewter@covnews.com

Andrae Robinson and Adrian Robinson have a lot in common. Not only do they share the same last name, but they also share the same birthday. That’s right — they’re twins.

Their similarities do not stop there. The Robinson twins both play football.

They both play running back. And they both start on the Alcovy High School varsity football team at just 14 years old.

Andrae Robinson, who wears No. 24 for the Tigers, and Adrian Robinson, No. 25, started playing football when they were 6-years-old after their father finally gave in to their requests.

After attending Veterans Middle School, the Robinsons moved to Liberty Middle where they played under Toby Davis. When Chris Edgar was hired as the head football coach at Alcovy, he brought Davis along, who introduced him to the twins.

“They were kind of well-

Mariya Lewter | The Covington News

Adrian Robinson (left) and Andrae Robinson start for the Alcovy varsity football team as freshmen.

known throughout the county, going back to park ball and then middle school,” Edgar said. “When I got hired, people were like, ‘Hey

man, there’s these two twins over there that are really good.’ When they showed up for spring practice, you could just tell that they were

football players and had been for a long time.”

Not many freshmen get a chance to play on varsity, let alone start, but when

the twins showed what they could do, Edgar couldn’t ignore it.

“Our plan was just to bring them along slowly and not

push them until they were ready,” he said. “Then in our scrimmage this fall, one of them did like a 70-yard run straight down the sideline, and I was like, ‘Okay, I guess they’re ready.’”

Shortly after, both twins were told they would be playing alongside the juniors and seniors under the Friday night lights in Sharp Stadium. Edgar’s gamble of playing two freshmen paid off as the two of them have played vital roles in the Tigers’ 4-1 start to the season.

Another thing the Robinson twins have in common is their nearly-identical season stats. Through five games, Andrae Robinson has 45 carries, 273 yards and three touchdowns, while Adrian Robinson has 43 carries, 274 yards and four touchdowns.

Like many siblings, the two of them are highly competitive with one another, engaging in a sibling rivalry since they were kids. Since they both tend to play the same position, even in different sports,

Eagles turn focus to region softball tournament Mariya Lewter mlewter@covnews.com

As the regular season winds down, the Eastside High School softball team finds itself in an ideal position heading into the softball region tournament.

With a flawless region record, the Eagles will be the No. 1 seed taking on No. 4 seed Luella High School, which the Eagles defeated 12-0 on Tuesday.

With a 16-8 overall record, and an 11-0 record in Region 4-AAAA, the Eagles have captured several easy wins throughout the season, shutting out their opponents 10 times. They also grabbed some pretty notable wins, including two over No. 2 seed Woodward Academy (9-6, 8-0).

According to Eastside coach Heather Wood, the team is ready to play some games that count.

Mariya Lewter | The Covington News

Ally Allgood runs to third base in Eastside’s 12-0 win over Luella Tuesday.

“I think right now, at this point in our season, we’re ready for playoffs,” she said.

“We’re ready to get through with our regular season and get into the postseason. We’re still taking it one game at a

time, but I definitely think that we’re going to be mentally ready for that time of year and that point of our postseason.”

There are several bright spots in the Eagles lineup.

Senior Ally Allgood leads the team with 32 runs, 38 hits and a .528 batting average.

Right behind her is Ashleigh Williams with 28 runs, 27 hits and a .493 batting average. McKenzie Walker leads

Eastside with 27 RBIs, while Alysee Dobbs has recorded 127 putouts.

The team as a whole has only allowed 53 runs from its opponents while scoring 195 and is on a five-game winning streak. While the Eagles may have no trouble winning the region, the tournament still has some importance in determining the outcome of the rest of their postseason.

“The big thing for us is to win the region tournament just so that we’re in a position going into our playoffs,” Wood said. “It’s important for us to get that No. 1 seed, that way we play the No. 4 seed from Region 2. So it’s crucial, not only because of course we want to win region, but it’s also most importantly getting us in a good position for the next round of playoffs.”

Eastside has worked hard all season on staying focused

u See eagles, 3B

u See twins, 3B

This Week’s Games Monday, October 3 Monday, October 3 Alcovy (Volleyball) vs Eastside, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 4 Eastside (Softball) vs Luella, 7 p.m.

Newton (Volleyball) at Henry County, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 6 Eastside (Volleyball) vs Salem, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, October 7 Alcovy (Football) vs Evans, 7:30 p.m.

Newton (Football) at Archer, 7:30 p.m.

Eastside (Football) at Henry County, 7:30 p.m.

2B

sports

Sunday, October 2, 2016

The Covington News

Eastside softball downs Luella in 4 innings Mariya Lewter mlewter@covnews.com

The Eastside High School softball team continued its region dominance with a shutout four-inning win against Luella Tuesday. Because of the high school mercy rule, the Eagles grabbed the win after going up 12-0 early.

The Eagles put the pressure on Luella early, striking out three in a row in the first inning. Eastside then answered with a seven-run inning, using its entire rotation before even the second out was called.

The Eagles’ defense kept the pressure on throughout the night, only allowing three at bats in the next two innings and four in the fourth.

“We’ve been in these situations throughout the season,” said Eastside Coach Heather Wood. “I told them not to underestimate this team, because they’re battling right now for the third seed. It’s between them and Salem, so I thought they would come out with more fight, more intensity. They had more on the line than we do, so we spoke with them before to stay focused.”

Eastside’s Molly Moon pitched all four innings and nearly came away with a nohitter until the Lions tallied a hit in the very last inning, compared to Eastside’s 13.

“She threw great for us and she’s been consistent throughout the season,” Wood said. “It was another good game for her.”

Six Eagles walked to first base in Tuesday’s game due to the Luella’s pitching.

Wood emphasized that Eastside still tries to remain focused on scoring no matter what type of pitching it faces.

“

(Molly Moon) threw great for us and she’s been consistent throughout the season. It was another good game for her.”

— Heather Wood, Eastside coach

“That’s one thing we’ve learned throughout our region based on the pitching that we’ve seen,” she said. “The best thing we can do is just be patient. There’s things that we can work on even though we’re not facing the best pitching every single game, so patience is one thing we really try to drill in them throughout the season.”

With knowledge that they’ll be the No. 1 seed in the 4-AAAA region tournament beginning next week and with senior night a couple days away, the Eagles were able to go deep into the dugout during the game.

“We tried to give everyone playing time today, but also, the reason I made a couple big changes is just to get ready for senior night,” Wood said. “I’m trying to find a way to work in all seniors, so we tried them in a couple of different positions, and it just worked out with this game. We were able to get runs on the board early to try out a couple players in different positions.”

The Eagles will play their final regular season game at home against Salem on Thursday for senior night before the region tournament kicks off on Oct. 4.

Mariya Lewter | The Covington News

Eastside’s Molly Moon only allowed one hit in the Eagles’ game against Luella on Tuesday.

Eastside volleyball dominates Newton on road Mariya Lewter mlewter@covnews.com

The Eastside High School volleyball team grabbed a 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-21) win against the neighboring Newton Rams on the road Thursday night.

“The best part about the team’s game tonight is honestly just the fact that they wanted to win,” said Eastside head coach Maggie Johnston.

“They didn’t play very well, but they found a way to win.”

The Rams grabbed three of the first four points of the first set to take an early 3-1 lead before the Eagles scored two in a row to tie the score.

Eastside then went on an 8-1 run for an 11-4 lead. An Eagle service error sparked a 4-0 run by the Rams, but the Eagles then answered with a 4-0 run of their own.

When the Rams won the longest rally of the set to cut Eastside’s lead down to 1612, Johnston called a timeout to stop the momentum.

The Rams hung around for a little while longer, but a 9-5 run to end the set gave the Eagles a 1-0 match lead.

The Eagles then started the second set with an ace, but Newton scored during the next three rallies to go up 3-1. After a kill by junior Chastity Smith helped tie the set 3-3, Eastside score four more points to go up 7-4.

Down 10-4, Rams head coach Shandria Usher called a timeout, but it was not enough to cool the Eagles

Mariya Lewter | The Covington News

Newton’s Moriah Milon sets the ball during the Rams’ 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-21) loss to Eastside. East side will play in the area tournament Oct. 6 and Newton will play at Henry County on Tuesday.

down. Eastside scored three more times before Newton got back on the board.

Another kill by Smith gave Eastside a nine-point lead at 20-11, but the Rams answered with a 3-0 run to move back within six. Smith helped stretch the lead back out with another kill before the Rams scored four of the next six points. The Rams,

however, could only move back within five before the Eagles scored back-to-back to take then set 25-18.

“I think we came out strong in our serving in the first two sets,” Johnston said. “I think we had some good play. We just kind of matched their play, and we just didn’t make a lot of mistakes. We had a lot of rallies with them, but we won

some of the big ones.”

The final set of the night saw the closest competition, with six total ties. The Rams appeared to have the edge at the start, jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead. When Newton got up 10-4, the Eagles came back with six straight points for the set’s first tie.

The Rams had several leads in the game, but every

time they scored, Eastside would answer, allowing neither team to get more than a two-point lead for much of the set. It wasn’t until the sixth tie (17-17) that one team finally got over the hump, and that was the Eagles, who closed the set out on a 7-4 run to take the match during Newton’s senior night.

“We started taking care of the side outs in the third set,” Johnston said. “We didn’t let them have any runs after about eight points, and we stopped their serve right away.”

Next up for the Eagles is the area tournament, taking place Oct. 6, while the Rams travel to Henry County High School on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

Tigers shutout by Grovetown defense, lose first region game Mariya Lewter mlewter@covnews.com

The Alcovy High School football team suffered a lopsided 34-0 loss on the road to Grovetown Friday night in the Tigers’ first region game of the season.

Though the Tigers were without key players Adrian Robinson and Andre Thomas, on offense, and Kyrese Knox, in the secondary, Alcovy coach Chris Edgar said the team’s issues went far beyond being shorthanded.

“They physically out manned us on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively, and that was

a problem most of the night,” Edgar said. “We were shorthanded a little bit, but that’s not really an excuse.

They just really took it to us on both sides. Offensively, they would hit us with some inside run plays.

When they got in the red zone, they would throw it up to their big receiver whose got some college offers, and we just couldn’t physically match up to them.”

The Warriors (3-3) put the pressure on early as Taylor Youngblood threw a 28-yard pass to wide receiver Aidan Grayson for a touchdown at the end of the first quarter to go up 6-0. The Tigers (4-2) got a chance to answer at the start of the

second but turned the ball over on downs.

In the final minutes of the second quarter, Youngblood threw another pass to Grayson, this time for a 15-yard touchdown, and the Warriors went up 12-0 heading into halftime.

“Defensively, we’ve got to make plays,” Edgar said. “We’ve got to make tackles. Again, we had some people in position to make plays, and we just didn’t come up with it.

We have to play discipline assignment football.”

The Warriors did not let up in the third, scoring with seven minutes left in the quarter off a 15-yard

pass to Davon Arrington. Kori Bryant completed the two-point conversion to put Grovetown up 20-0.

The Warriors scored twice more in the fourth quarter for a 34-0 lead, and a fumble by Alcovy in the final two minutes sealed it.

Throughout, the Tigers had several turnovers, including two fumbles and an interception.

“Offensively, we have to re-establish some of that aggressive running that we did early in the year, and the offensive line, has just got to get on their blocks and stay on their blocks,” Edgar said. “Running backs have to hit holes, and they

have to block as well. As a staff, we have to do a better job of putting our kids in position offensively to have success.”

Next week, the Tigers will be facing 3-2 Evans High School at home at 7:30 p.m. and will look to turn things around.

“I told the guys, we still have four region games, and our goals of making the playoffs are still very much alive,” Edgar said. “We just have to come out better and prepare. We’re a better football team than we showed, and we have to have that will and desire that we’re not going to let a loss like that happen again.”

sports

The Covington News

Sunday, October 2, 2016

3B

Big win for women’s soccer against GMC JV Mitchell Lee For The Covington News

The Oxford College womens’ soccer team had a strong performance against Georgia Military College’s JV team with a 6-0 victory.

Karina Collins had a huge game scoring the first goal and adding three more, including a penalty kick.

Center back Carson Hagan scored her fourth goal of the season. Finally, Carson Fleming constantly penetrated the heart of Georgia Military’s defense, dribbling past players to create chances.

“It was a really good performance all around from the girls,” said assistant coach Trevor Mooney. “It is tough to be mentally focused going into a game

Submitted photo | The Covington News

The Eagles grabbed a 6-0 win over the GMV JV team.

you know you should win. It took us a little while to settle in and find the first goal, but after that, we were rolling. It was good to get a game on

GMC’s field in Milledgeville against their JV team before we battle their Varsity team next week in a crucial match for us.

“Karina netted her first

career hat trick, so we are excited for her. Rachel West proves repeatedly to be too much physically for the defenders. Mahalia’s speed on the wing completes our dan-

gerous front 3 and we are really confident they will keep scoring goals for us on our push to qualify for Regionals. We are also glad to have Daria back in goal behind

our veteran defense!”

The women take the weekend to recover before taking the field next week on Oct. 5 against GMC’s varsity team.

Women’s tennis take trophy in New Jersey tournament Mitchell Lee For The Covington News

The Oxford womens’ tennis team came out victorious in their trip to New Jersey for the Mercer County Fall Invitational Tournament.

Taking over in both singles and doubles, the Eagles won four of the six singles finals and two of the three doubles finals in this tournament.

One notable victory came from Caroline Kawula, who won her singles match against the 2014 singles national champion in a three set tiebreaker.

The Eagles traveled to Tifton next to participate in the ITA Fall Tournament this weekend, with action starting Friday.

Source: Oxford College Athletics Facebook | The Covington News

The Oxford womens’ tennis team competed in the Mercer County Fall Invitational Tournament.

The king of the gridiron: Peachtree Academy downs Unity and had one sack for a safety.

Wyatt Brooks rolled on defense with five solo tackles and one pass defended.

Will Mitchell attributed three solo tackles and two pass defended, the Panther Pride defense also attributed performances by Garrett Kephart with two solo tack-

les and one assist, while Josh Coursey attributed four solo tackles and two assist for the Panthers.

Peachtree Academy Panthers (4-3) will travel to New Creation Academy (4-2) in McDonough on Oct. 14 in the first region game of the year.

newton

twins

end of the field.

The Rams got down to the 25 yardline, but three incomplete passes in a row after a 9-yard run by Adarius Thomas caused the Rams to turn the ball over on downs. Another threeand-out by the Comets gave the ball back to Newton as the third quarter came to a close, giving the Rams a chance to try again.

After the Rams failed to score on their first possession of the fourth, Jeremiah Bundrage recovered another Comet fumble to regain the ball at the 20-yard line. A 30-yard field goal by Taylor then gave the Rams their first lead of the game with 9:01 left in the game.

Down 10-9 with 47 seconds left to play, South Gwinnett’s Dawson Newman scored a 33-yard field goal to put the Comets up two, causing the South Gwinnett sidelines to celebrate. Mathison then ran the ball down to the Comet 47-yard line on the next kick, quickly hushing the opposing crowd, and two back-to-back carries by Thomas brought the Rams to the 21yard line. That’s when Taylor stepped in to win the game.

Brock played his first full game at quarterback, and after a shaky first half, he helped carry his team to victory.

“He was the next man up,” Banks said of Brock. “He knew it was his

their competitive nature can sometimes lead to tension.

“When he’s getting the ball more than I am, then I’ll be kind of mad,” said Adrian Robinson. “Then when I’m getting the ball more and getting more yards than him, he’ll be kind of mad on the sidelines.”

The tension, however, does sometimes turn into motivation.

“It’s pretty cool being able to play with him, because every time he makes a big play, he pushes me to do something that’s almost as good as what he did or even better,” said Andrae Robinson.

“It’s like he knows when I’m at my best, and I know when he’s at his best so we can always push each other along.”

Edgar gets to witness firsthand how they interact on the field with one another.

“They complement each other well,” he said. “If one scores a touchdown, the other is like, ‘Well it’s because I blocked.’ If one doesn’t get a touchdown, they blame the other one for not block-

ing. I think they push each other, and at the end of the day, they are twins and they have that relationship that is inseparable. It’s a very competitive nature between the two of them.”

While they have a lot in common, they do differ in their styles of play. While Adrian Robinson is a more powerful, downhill runner, Andrae Robinson tends to be quicker in his movements and cuts. While Adrian enjoys the defensive side of the ball, Andrae would rather just run the ball.

The twins’ success doesn’t just stop on the field. According to Edgar, they’re also superstars in the classroom, getting good grades and taking advanced classes. Their grades coupled with their talent could end up taking them a very long way.

“With their manners and the way they carry themselves, combined with their athletic ability, I think the sky is the limit,” Edgar said. “They are on the radar of some big time college programs already, and if they can continue to just develop physically, mentally and socially, I think they have a very bright future ahead of them.”

Staff reports news@covnews.com

The title of Gridiron King was claimed early by the Peachtree Academy Panthers through a 59-16 victory against the Unity Lions.

Hunter Payne struck early with four touchdowns and

141 yards on eight attempts.

He also added some defensive statistics with four tackles, including three solo, and one pass defended.

Lawson Van Ness trailed just behind Payne with two touchdowns on three attempts for 85 yards, while adding four extra points.

Van Ness also had four tackles, including three solo, and defended two passes.

Patrick Cartledge continued the running attack with one touchdown and 44 yards on two carries. Cartledge also ran for a two-point conversion and had one tackle and defended three passes. Cam-

ryn Huchel made the most of his three rushes, scoring one touchdown and two twopoint conversions, while rushing for 54 yards, and a fumble recovery on defense.

Zack Pearson led the way for the Panthers on defense, with 10 tackles, including eight solo, blocked one pass

>> From 1B

>> From 1B

Anthony Banks | The Covington News

Jaquan Henderson celebrates Newton High ’s win against South Gwinnett Friday.

chance, and he went to work. He did great. Once he settled down in the second half, he played a heck of a game.”

The Rams will now get deep into region play, facing football heavyweight Grayson next week on Oct. 7. The Rams will need the fight they showed on Friday in order to remain undefeat-

eagles >> From 1B

for a full seven innings in each game, hitting and being smart at the plate. When asked about their thoughts of the season thus far, Williams praised her team’s efforts, while Moon says they have a chance to “get ahead quickly” in the postseason.

“I thought we worked really hard to make sure that have that No. 1 spot in region that will put us in a good position for state playoffs and hopefully push us to the second round and further to go to [the state championship in] Columbus,” said Williams.

Though the Eagles have dominated the majority of their opponents up to this point,

ed in the region.

“We tell them to ignore the circumstances,” Banks said. “We have been trailing in every game this year. Not one person on this team was scared.

We have multiple starters hurt, but that’s the fight that they’re going to bring to every game.”

they are preparing to face much tougher competition going forward.

“I expect a lot more competition than we have been seeing,” said Coley Edwards.

“I know that teams get better as the season goes on, and most of the time we played the harder teams in the early season. I’m excited to see some real competition.”

The Region 4-AAAA tourney begins Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. against No. 2 and No. 3 seeds Woodward Academy and Salem, while No. 1 Eastside will face No. 4 Luella at 7 p.m. at home. The losers of each game will meet Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. in Game 3, followed by Game 4 between the winners at 7 p.m.

The winner of Game 4 will be the No. 1 seed heading into the state tournament, while the loser will be No. 2.

B business Page 4B

www.covnews.com

Newton Federal starts expansion Newton Federal Bank will be officially break ground this week on a new operations facility located next to the Eastside Branch.

“We’re really excited to have the opportunity to expand our footprint by building a state of the art operations center to meet our growing needs,” said Johnny Smith, Newton Federal President/CEO. The contractor for the 15,000 square foot building project is Sunbelt Contractors, of Covington. Anticipated completion date is May 2017.

Staff Reports

Ribbon cutting

Bryan Fazio | The Covington News

Blair on the Square Boutique, 1113 Church Street, Covington, held its ribbon cutting ceremony Friday. The Square’s newest boutique sells women’s and men’s clothes and accessories.

Art, yard sale combine for Porterdale event Sandra Brands sbrands@covnews.com

It’s not just a yard sale. It’s also a place where buyers can pick up original art work at reasonable prices.

That’s what Porterdale Main Street Director Josephine Kelly said when explaining the upcoming Porterdale Y’Art Sale scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Porter Memorial Gym. It’s the second year the Village of Porterdale has held a community

yard sale, Kelly said.

“We’ve added a different spin on it in inviting artists to participate in it,” she said. “We’re inviting them to clean out their studios.

“It’s an opportunity for artists to sell their work and people to buy affordable pieces of art.”

The turnout for last year’s community yard sale was good, prompting an expansion for even more optimistic results this year.

“We probably had 20 very large vendors and we expect it to grow even more this year,” Kelly said. “It’s

giving the opportunity to creatively recycle.”

Vendors can rent a 10-foot-by10-foot area at the gym for $15. Additional space is available for those with larger items or more to sell.

Sign up is at Porterdale City Hall on Broad Street for vendor spaces.

“We’ve been getting a lot of calls and interest, and people are signing up,” Kelly said. “There are some local artists who are going to be participating.

“Porterdale gets a lot of traffic so we get a lot of people stopping in.”

Sunday, October 2, 2016

financial planning

Life insurance for mortgage protection less than attractive.

It seems like the Persistency on these majority of topics for plans was not good my articles brings as plans were usually back memories, replaced every 3-5 some good and some years. Annual renewless than memorable. able term insurance This is one of the is seldom available “less thans”. mike lassiter due to the high costs More than 45 Columnist the carrier incurs to years ago, when I issue coverage. began my career as Typical term plans are now an agent for Cotton States, one of our marketing projects was the available for periods of 10-30 sale of mortgage protection life years with rates and level death insurance. We were to visit the benefits guaranteed for the full DeKalb County courthouse, ob- period. These plans are cost eftain the names of new homeown- fective and do a very good job of ers, send out letters, follow-up covering your mortgage expoand hope for a sale. This idea was sure. An area of concern is the also used by agents from several lack of conversion options to all other carriers, so competition available plans the carrier offers.

It’s very easy to match the was heavy and sales results very modest. I will buy Steve Spurrier mortgage with the face amount dinner at Bones in Atlanta before and provide 30 years of level coverage while the mortgage deI go through that again.

One of the problems with creases. You would be surprised mortgage protection life plans to know that a low cost universal of that era was the scheduled re- life insurance plan with a 20-year duction in coverage over time. guaranteed death benefit can proAlthough designed to mirror the vide more coverage for lower cost. mortgage amortization schedule, As the coverage decreases starting the reduction in coverage over in year 21, the reduced coverage time actually increased, some- will still cover the balance of your times significantly the cost per mortgage. An extra benefit is not $1,000 of life coverage. Premiums having to worry about conversion on mortgage decreasing term in- as you already have a universal life surance were not that economical insurance plan.

This product suggestion is betin the first place. This product is not seen very much in the 21st ter suited to people of younger ages century although a few carriers who are buying their first or secwith bank endorsements still of- ond home. If this describes your fer this plan. I am not aware of situation, check with your advisor any mortgage that would require as you can save some premium you to purchase this type of plan dollars and have higher coverage at the same time. That’s always a from one carrier offering it.

In the early 1980s, annual re- good idea for the consumer. newable term insurance came Mike Lassiter is a Chartered on the market, and many people turned to these plans to cover Life Underwriter and Chartered their mortgage. These products Financial Consultant. He is a Lioffered extremely low premiums censed Insurance Counselor and a in the early years, but the an- Registered Investment Advisor. He nual increases made premiums can be reached at 770-786-2781.

HENDERSON’S RESTAURANT 770-786-3775

“Where Friends, Neighbors and Good Food Lovers Meet to Eat” Newton County’s Oldest and most Historic Restaurant Since 1956 • Clarence Henderson, Sr., Founder Owned, Operated and Managed by THE HENDERSON FAMILY

GOOD FOOD

CATFISH FOR TAKE OUTS And to schedule your party in one of our private dining rooms just call.

Visit us on the web at: www.hendersonsrestaurant-covington.com

Wednesday Vegetable Dinner Special $5.95 1 Meat, 2 Vegetables, Salad or Slaw and Hushpuppies

Sunday Lunch Vegetable Meal $7.95

1 Meat, 3 Vegetables, Salad or Slaw and Hushpuppies

WE ARE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES SOUTH OF COVINGTON On Hwy. 36 & the intersection of Henderson Mill Rd. & Flat Shoals Rd. 11885 Highway 36 • Covington, Georgia 30014 CLOSED MONDAY Sunday - 11:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday - Saturday 4:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m.

The Covington News

Sunday, October 2, 2016

5B

6B

The Covington News

Sunday, October 2, 2016

newton county jail log Justin Blake Barlow, 26, Covington, Sept. 24, deposit account fraud Lindsey Lavon Belcher, Jr., 55, Covington, Sept. 24, child support default Rodriquez Dion Britt, 41, Atlanta, Sept. 27, failure to appear for fingerprintable charge, surety bonds and real property (driving suspended license), surety bonds and real property (DUI), surety bonds and real property (feeling attempt to elude) Thomas Jay Brookman, 20, Loganville, Sept. 24, defective equipment, marijuana – possession less than 1 ounce Dionte Charquez Brown, 21, Covington, Sept. 24, probation violation Shawn Ray Cannon, 38, Covington, Sept. 24, possession of methamphetamine Victor Jackson Casper, 25, Covington, Sept. 24, probation violation for fingerprintable charge Terrell Markecius Crowder, 24, Waycross, Sept. 22, back for court Dustin Diagle, 25, Covington, Sept. 27, battery – family violence Quartravious Santail Floyd, 26, Louisville, failure to appear for fingerprintable charge Henry Lewis Gibbs, Jr., 53, Covington, Sept. 22, probation violation Ashton Diaunte Grier, 25, Covington, Sept. 21, court sentenced Kenneth Wayne Grindle, 34, Newborn, Sept. 23, child support default Rickey Ricardo Gullett, Jr., 28, Conyers, Sept. 25, probation violation Shelbie Hugo Anthony Hall, 24, Conyers, Sept. 27, willful obstruction of law enforcement officers – misdemeanor Jeffrey Lynn Hansen, 39, Porterdale, Sept. 27, driving without a valid license, knowingly making a false statement pertaining to motor vehicle insurance required, Sept. 26, operation of vehicle without plate/expired plate first offense Allen Jessie Johnson, 38, Covington, Sept. 27, child support default John Jordan, III, 21, Covington, Sept. 26, probation violation Deedra Tyshay King, 26, Covington, Sept. 26, court sentenced William Brent Kirkland, 37, Winterville, Sept.

21, failure to appear supe-

rior court bench warrant Joseph Frederick Llorens, 44, Cleveland, Sept.

22, forgery- 1st degree, identity theft fraud when using/possessing identity information concerning a person - felony, theft by deception – felony Shellie D. Louis, 51, Covington, Sept. 27, failure to register as sex offender/ failure to comply with requirements/provided Amada Fay Lloyd, 27, Covington, Sept. 22, court sentenced Sieed K. Macklin, 31, Covington, Sept. 23, probation violation Charity Danielle Mills, 27, Covington, Sept. 21, probation violation Michael Allen Mitchell, Jr., 43, Covington, Sept. 22, hold for probation Roderick Aaron Morrow, 19, Stockbridge, Sept.

27, failure to appear for fingerprintable charge – misdemeanor, theft by shoplifting – misdemeanor David Ernest Moton, 33, Covington, Sept. 27, back for court Jacob Martin Oders, 33, Covington, Sept. 21, driving while license suspended or revoked, knowingly making a false statement pertaining to motor vehicle insurance required, operation of vehicle without current plate//expired plate 1st offense Gary Joshua Penton, 25, Covington, Sept. 22, surety offense, Sept. 21, failure to appear for fingerprintable charge – misdemeanor Terry Bernard Printup, 27, Covington, Sept. 26, back for court John Wesley Prothro, 31, Covington, Sept. 27, court sentenced Marya Nishaque Rooks, 42, Forest Park, Sept. 27, probation violation Cedric Leon Sauders, 34, Covington, Sept. 21, court sentenced Hakeem Maurice Singletary, 25, Savannah, Sept.

21, court sentenced Jessie B. Smith, 60, Newborn, Sept. 27, probation violation for fingerprintable charge Daniel Ross Stephens, 22, Covington, Sept. 26, probation violation for fingerprintable charge Terry Michael Tankersley, 61, Oxford, Sept. 23, child molestation Quentin Rasaud Treadwell, 19, Covington, Sept. 25, driving without a valid license, speeding – 14 to 24 over

Brian K. Turner, 54, Atlanta, Sept. 27, identity theft fraud when using/possessing identity info concerning a person – felony, theft by taking – misdemeanor Christopher Steven Washington, 34, Covington, Sept. 27, probation violation for fingerprintable charge Misty Dawn Wilson, 36, Covington, Sept. 27, court sentenced – court order of incarceration David Brandon Allen, 27, Covington, Sept. 22, driving while license suspended or revoked, knowingly making a false statement pertaining to motor vehicle insurance requirement, operation of vehicle without current plate/expired plate 1st offense Sharon Denise Anderson, 46, Jonesboro, Sept. 21, theft by conversion – felony Robert Ashmeade, 51, Covington, Sept. 21, driving without a valid license, failure to stop at stop sign Sonya Ann Baisden, 31, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders Rodney ONeal Benton, 43, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders Kevin Berry, 52, Covington, Sept. 22, driving while license suspended Trey Christopher Britt, 21, Monticello, Sept. 25, weekenders 4 of 5 weekends JaQuan Brooks, 17, Covington, Sept. 25, marijuana – possession less than 1 ounce David Christopher Brown, 39, Covial Circle, Sept. 23, driving while license suspended or revoked 1st offense Joshua Lee Byrd, 32, Loganville, Sept. 26, theft by shoplifting – misdemeanor Michael Edward Campbell, 56, Covington, Sept.

23, weekenders Dana Gail Christian, 39, Covington, Sept. 21, court Lamar Tyrone Covington, 28, Covington, Sept.

23, weekenders Charles Heath Cowan, 30, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders county Matthew Donald Cox, 31, Covington, Sept. 21, criminal damage to property – 2nd degree Lisa Michelle Davis, 46, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders Storm Nathan DeHaven, 32, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders Halima Brittany Francis, 18, Covington, Sept. 22, simple battery against public school system employee

Benton House presents

Caring for a Person with Alzheimer’s or Dementia Thursday October 6th 6 pm

Understanding communication skills, behavior management and therapeutic intervention is so important in caring for a person with dementia. Join us as we explore techniques and tips for caregivers.

7155 Dearing Rd Covington 770-729-4909

b e n t o n h o u s e . c o m /c o v i n g t o n

Phillip Stanley Fuller, 60, Covington, Sept. 24, driving while license suspended or revoked, no seat belts Derrick Lamont Glover, 43, Covington, Sept. 21, marijuana – possession less than 1 ounce, no tag lights Chuck Patrick Gonzales, 50, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders Sherryl Capes Grifith, 55, Covington, Sept. 23, drugs not in original container – misdemeanor, possession of a schedule 4 controlled substance, theft by taking – felony Jotavious Frederick Gunn, 17, Covington, Sept.

21, criminal trespass Caryn Rae Hansen, 46, Oxford, Sept. 26, theft by shoplifting – misdemeanor Glenda Durden Hawk, 38, Covington, Sept. 21, court sentenced Michael Chrishuann Haynes, 37, Covington, Sept. 26, court sentenced Casha Chanterika Henderson, 26, Ellendwood, 26, crossing state/county guard lines with weapons, intoxicants, drugs without consent, possession of a schedule 4 controlled substance, prostitution, simple assault, terroristic threats and acts Jonathan Andrew Hix, Sr., 52, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders Ryan Crews Hodges, 20, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders Tonya Regina Hodges, 39, Social Circle, Sept. 24, driving while license suspended or revoked, following too closely, possession of a schedule 4 controlled substance, marijuana – possession less than 1 ounce Deanna Lein Hubbard, 38, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders Corey Reid Kinard, 19, Oxford, Sept. 24, theft by shoplifting – felony Vincent Paul Labowicz, 60, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders city Cheryl Ann Larson, 59, Covington, Sept. 21, battery

– family violence Jon Gerard Lewandowski, 57, Oxford, Sept. 27, public drunkenness Heidi Lisa Ligon, 49, Lithonia, Sept. 26, simple battery Margie Lynette Love, 28, Covington, Sept. 24, hold for DeKalb warrant Derrick Bernard Mack, 40, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders Stanley Lamar Malcom, 42, Jasper County Jail, 42, Sept. 21, back for court Robbin Leigh Martin, 52, Covington, Sept. 25, theft by shoplifting – misdemeanor Richard Lee McCormick, 48, Atlanta, Sept. 25, hold for other agency Alfredo Vazquez Nava, 19, Covington, Sept. 23, driving while license suspended or revoked, failure to stop at stop sign Jerrica Shanay Nunnaly, 24, Covington, Sept. 27, driving while license suspended or revoked, knowingly driving motor vehicle suspended, cancelled or revoked registration, no proof of insurance Larecus Rashad Peaks, 23, Covington, Sept. 23, hold for other agency Loisteen Perryman, 59, Covington, Sept. 25, aggravated assault, disorderly conduct Anaiah Theophilus Petty, 28, Covington, Sept. 27, child support default Suvat Jim Poonpoolpoke, 37, Covington, Sept.

23, false statements or writings; conceal facts or fraudulent documents John Wesley Prothro, 31, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders Hughie Brown Ray, 67, Oxford, Sept. 23, weekenders Stephfan Dezonio Sanderson, 18, Covington, Sept.

24, speeding – 25 to 34 over Jacob Walter Schaly, 25, Dacula, Sept. 22, possession of methamphetamine DeAngelo Lacelle Simmons, 23, Covington, Sept.

21, hold for other agency

Adrian Dashonne Smith, 22, Covington, Sept.

26, driving while license suspended or revoked, operation of vehicle without current plate/expired plate 1st offense Steven Kent Springer, 56, Oxford, Sept. 24, Dui – driving under the influence of alcohol less safe, open container David Wayne Stacey, 40, Covington, Sept. 21, theft by conversion – felony Lachuncy Laman Stanley, 19, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders Pamela Dorothy Stevens, 18, Covington, Sept.

23, hold for other agency David Lee Stratton, 35, Oxford, Sept. 24, simple battery – family violence Chivon Raven Tarrants, 30, Mansfield, Sept. 21, hold for other agency Michael Edward Thomason, 56, Covington, Sept.

23, weekenders Quincy Anthony Tuggle, 42, Covington, Sept. 22, abandonment of dependent child – misdemeanor, child support default Johnaton Richard Tyndall, 36, Covington, Sept.

23, weekenders Harold Lavon Vason, 57, Covington, Sept. 23, court sentenced Damaris Vela, 23, Jonesboro, Sept. 27, driving while license suspended or revoked, drugs not in original container – misdemeanor, marijuana – possession less than 1 ounce, possession of a schedule 4 controlled substance, vehicle to drive on right side of roadway Maurice Jamison Walker, 29, Lawrenceville, Sept.

26, driving while license suspended or revoked Stacey Donte Wesley, 39, Eatonton, Sept. 25, driving while license suspended or revoked Kevin Daniel Williams, 35, Loganville, Sept. 21, aggravated assault Amanda Marie Wilson, 33, Covington, Sept. 23, weekenders

B obituaries Sunday, October 2, 2016 Samuel Grady Johnson, Sr. Samuel Grady Johnson, Sr., 84, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 18, 2016, in Covington.

Johnson is survived by his loving wife, D o n n a Johnson.

He is Johnson lovingly remembered by one son, two daughters, 10 grandchildren, 15 greatgrandchildren, one sister and several nieces and nephews.

Samuel Johnson is preceded in death by his parents, one son, two sisters and three brothers.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Annie Grace Saffo

ily to cherish her memories: one devoted son, Mr. and Mrs. Darryl (Sandra) Brown; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters Calion Tyler, Vickie Baynes, Deactria Mathis, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry (Barnita) Byrd, Mr. and Mrs. Earnest (Elaine) Hill, Natosha Notae, Mr. and Mrs. Dexter (Donna) Arnold and Mr. and Mrs. Marcus (Kenyatta) Wingfield; brothers Ronnie Jones, Rodney Benton, Fewentez Avery and Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Chapman; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The internment was a private affair for the family.

The family of the late Carol Brown would like to thank you for all acts of kindness shown during our time of need. Your expressions of love and sympathy are deeply appreciated and will always be remembered.

Lester Lackey and Sons Funeral Home

Viva Ruth Clark

Funeral services for Ms. Annie Grace Saffo of Covington, were held Oct. 1, 2016 at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church in Oxford. Rev. Charlie Williams, pastor, was the eulogist, assisted by others. Interment is in the Oxford Historical Cemetery.

She leaves to cherish her memories children, Mr. Darryl Saffo, Ms. Shelia Saffo and Mr. William Saffo; four grandchildren; two great grandchildren; brother Mr. R. L. Saffo; two sister-inlaws; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The visitation was Sept.

29.

Viva Ruth Clark was carried home Sept. 25, 2016.

She is survived by her children Justin Folds and Audrey Kimelman; her grandchildren Gabriella and Isabella Kimelman; her loving sister Alisa Brown and brother-in-law Steve Brown; and nephew Drew Brown.

A visitation and memorial service were held at First Baptist Monroe located at 202 Mc Daniel St, Monroe on Sept. 28, 2016. Immediate family observed the interment of her ashes thereafter at High Point Baptist Church located at 12025 GA-36, Covington.

Memorial donations may be made in order to support the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation at https:// bbrfoundation.org/. Fare the well to our beloved mother, sister and friend; may you forever rest in heavens’ bough.

Condolences can be left at GeorgiaFuneralCare.com.

Ms. Carol ‘Stucci’ Brown Lester Lackey & Sons Funeral Home

A time to be born -- Carol Brown was born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Lamar (Rosemary) Baynes and Nanewl Brown-Chapman on February 23, 1959.

A time to plant — Brown went to Newton County Public Schools. She enjoyed her family, cookouts, movies and loved to dress.

A time to die — Brown answered the tender call of our Savior on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 10, 2016. She was preceded in death by parents, Lamar Baynes and Nanewl Brown-Chapman; and two brothers, Ricky Brown and Melvin Jones.

A time to harvest — Brown leaves a loving fam-

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Georgia Funeral Care

Annie Margaret Wyatt Kinard J. C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home

Mrs. Annie Margaret Kinard, age 86, of Mansfield passed away Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 at her residence.

She was born Oct. 29, 1929 in Mansfield to the late Jimmie and Berta Lee Bradley Wyatt. Mrs. Kinard was a member of Pitts Chapel United Methodist Church and worked in the nursey at Gaither’s United Methodist

Church for 20 years. She also worked at Pacific Uniform Company for many years and part-time for Ocho in Covington. Although she worked outside of the home for many years, she was always at home when her son arrived from school, prepared to carry out the duties of housewife and mother, the job she truly loved. Mrs. Kinard was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. She was preceded in death by her siblings; Malinda Sue Jowers, Thomas Wyatt, James Wyatt and Ralph Wyatt.

Mrs. Kinard is survived by her husband of 63 years, John William Kinard; her son and daughter-in-law William James “JR” and Mary Kinard of Mansfield; her grandchildren Deanna Sims and her husband Geffrey of Mansfield and Brandon Kinard and his wife Allie of Monitcello; her great grandchildren, Chandler Sims, Joelle Sims, Peyton Gunnells and Haidyn Kinard; her sisters and brothers-in-law Hannah and Tony Edwards, Sara and Charles Campbell and Mary Jo and Jerry Childers; along with numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other family and close friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Kinard will be held Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 at 3 p.m. the Chapel of J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home with Pastor Danny Sorrells officiating. Interment will follow at Carmel Church Cemetery. J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home, 2157 East Street, SE, Covington, Georgia 30014 is in charge of the arrangements. A guest book may be signed on-line www. harwellfuneralhome.com.

Ms. Sally Ann Vining Lester Lackey & Sons Funeral Home

Sally Ann Vining, 77, of Atlanta and formally of Covington, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, September 14, 2016.

She was born November 5, 1938, in Loganville to the late Hugh Farmer and Lizzie Bell Farmer. She was the third of six children. She accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Murray C.M.E Church and attended Washington Street School.

A domestic worker in her teens, Vining later worked for the Poultry, Bibb Manufacturing and Hercules Companies. She later got her GED from Newton County

High School and received her Real Estate License in 1979 and worked for Century 21 in Decatur, Georgia.

Vining was also Co-Owner of Vining’s Grading and Landscape Inc. and Vining’s Concrete Service. She was a member of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and was an active member of Community Affairs.

She moved to Marietta and Atlanta, where she resided for 22 years. She attended Dekalb Tech and Southern Poly Tech, where she obtained a Computer Automation Graphic Design certificate. She worked for AT&T, A.K.A. Lucent Technologies and Mastec for 11 years. Prior to retiring, she worked for the Atlanta Housing Authority as an Assistant Property Manager.

Vining was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, cousin and friend. She is preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Mary L. Johnson and Brenda J. Harris.

She was married to the late Robert Walter Cooksey.

From this marriage of five years, a daughter, Valerie Yvonne Cooksey was born.

She later married William Vining, Jr. and from this marriage of 26 years a son, William Vining III, was born.

She leaves to cherish her memories: loving daughter, Valerie Yvonne Cooksey; her loving son, William “Rooster” Vining III; daughter-in-law, Janet Roxanne Vining; two loving grandchildren, William “Trooper” Vining and Taylor Marie Vining; sisters, Ruby L. Henderson and Bobbie N. Farmer; brother, Hugh Farmer, Jr. and a host of other close relatives, sisters and brothers in law, nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and dear friends.

The service was held Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Murray C.M.E. Church in Covington with Rev. Bobby Hall as pastor, Rev. W.J. Reid as eulogist and assisted by others. She was interred at Westside Cemetery.

The family of the late Sally Ann Vining would like to thank each and every one of you for all of your acts of kindness you have shown to us during our time of sorrow.

Roy Faulkner Eternal Hills Funeral Home

Roy A. Faulkner, 84, of Snellville, passed away on

Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. Visitation was Sept. 30, 2016 at Eternal Hills Funeral Home.

Funeral services were held Oct. 1, 2016, in the Eternal Hills Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed at Eastlawn Memory Park in McDonough.

Condolences can be left by visiting eternalhillsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be made to The COPD Foundation, copdfoundation.org. Eternal Hills Funeral Home can be reached at 770.972.3155.

Catherine Mills Horton Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home

Catherine Mills Horton of Covington passed away Sept. 23, 2016, at the age of 86.

Mrs. Horton was a native of Newton County and spent most of her life here.

For the past 16 months, she resided in Grantville, Georgia with her daughter, Carol. Mrs. Horton was employed by Belk Department Store for 20 years, retiring in 1995. Her love of people was very evident in her work, and her life. She was as a member of Porterdale Presbyterian Church, but also attended Calvary Baptist Church in Rockdale County with her son, Teddy. In her younger years, Mrs. Horton enjoyed bowling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Preceding her death were her parents Marvin A. and Modine (Lindsey) Mills; husband J.T. Horton, Sr.; brothers Larry Mills, Lee Mills and Marvin Mills.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Art Kraft of Grantville, GA.; sons and daughters-in-laws, Teddy and Wanda Horton of Covington, GA, Al and Janis Horton of Palmetto, GA; eight grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; sisters, Maxine Blankenship of Oxford, GA, and Dorothy Donaldson of Covington, GA; several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Mrs. Horton was held Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Caldwell & Cowan, 1215 Access Road, Covington, Georgia, with Art Kraft, III officiating. Interment to follow in Lawnwood Memorial Park, Covington.

Condolences can be placed online at www. caldwellandcowan.com, or call 770-786-7062.

Mrs. Nellie Lou Marks Manuel-Jackson Lester Lackey and Sons Funeral Home

Nellie Lou Marks ManuelJackson was born in Covington on Jan. 22, 1946, to the late Homer Marks, Sr. and Willie M. Marks.

Manuel-Jackson was a warm and friendly person whose greatest joy was her family and loved ones. She lived her life with an open heart and gave everyone she knew a warm embrace.

She healed souls with her cooking, especially her infamous sweet potato pies, and created peace wherever the wind would blow. As a young lady, “Nell,” as everyone would call her, attended Newton County School System and went on to retire from Dekalb Medical Hospital after 37 years of service. Throughout her life she greeted the world with a big smile and gentle spirit. Nell’s memory will be cherished by all those she encountered in this lifetime.

God called “Nell” home on Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, for her heavenly reward. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters Airline Bailey and Christine Benson; and two brothers Willie Oscar Marks and Rufus Marks.

“Nell” leaves to cherish her memory: her husband Lucious Jackson; three sons, Timothy (Jimmicha) Manuel, Travis (Angela) Manuel and Lucious Jackson III; one daughter Daytwanna Tameka Hardeman (Vincent); 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four brothers, Homer Marks, Jr., George (Lois) Marks, Larry (Angela) Marks, Charles (Francie) Nolley; six sisters, Charlie M. Dowdell, Thelma Banks, Shirley Marks (Dwight), Patricia Alexander, Olivia N. Hardeman and Marie Height; a close and cherished friend, Patricia Shepherd; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The service for ManuelJackson was Sept. 24 at All Nations Praise and Lie Church in Stockbridge with Rev. Keith D. Brooks as pastor and eulogist. She was interred Lawnwood Memorial Park.

The family of the Late Nellie (Nell) Marks Manuel-Jackson acknowledges with deep appreciation the many comforting messages, floral tributes, prayers, telephone calls and other acts of kindness.

May each of you continue to be blessed by God’s Grace!

religion

It just takes a little to change a lot If you read my article all the way to the end about everything I saw or did there. I could fill am humbled to be a part of it. If you want more informathere is a short biography. In that bio it says I tion on Brighton Their World or Brighton Academy of Exup eight or nine full pages. love Ethiopia. This is super true, I love EthioI am currently preparing to leave for my cellence visit their website, brigthontheirworld.org. pia; it’s people, food, and coffee. But let me tell To answer the question to why I got involved, the answer next trip. I have not missed a trip yet and God you why I love a country that is 7,659 miles willing I never will. But this trip is different is simple. I was told to by God. James 1:27 says, “Religion from my home. from the rest. Brighton Their World opened that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: It all started on a Sunday afternoon at Cova school! It is called the Brighton Academy of to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep ington coffee shop Square Perk in 2012. A Excellence. It has 300 students. Half of the stu- oneself unstained from the world.” Psalms 68:5 tells us that Andy butts friend of mine invited me to bring my youth dents are sponsored and the other half are self- God is “a father for the fatherless and a judge for the widColumnist group to hear a couple talk about orphans and paying. The school opened in the Shiro Meda ows”. If orphans and widows are important to Him than what we are supposed to do as Christians. Bearea of Addis Ababa. This is the poorest area they are important to me. Plus, I have new family members ing the good youth pastor that I am, I agreed. This is where in Addis. because of Ethiopia!

I first meet Tymm and Laura Hoffman and heard their If you ever see me around Covington and you are in a When you sponsor a student at Brighton Academy the story. They started an organization called Brighton Their cost is $28 a month. That includes the student’s school, hurry, don’t ask me about Ethiopia. I will take up as much World to care for orphans in Ethiopia. The reason behind meals at school, and clean water for their family. Or you time as I can. But, if you ever want to sit down, grab a cup this is that they were adopting a boy from Ethiopia. They could be what they call a Nutritional Sponsor for $12 a of coffee, and talk about Ethiopia let me know. named him Brighton and waited to get the call to bring him month, that includes meals and clean water for their famhome. On Jan. 9, 2008, around 1:15 p.m., the phone rang. ily. That is mind blowing!

Andy Butts was born and raised in Newton County. He is Tymm received news that Brighton passed away. Brighton Brighton Their World has 14 children for Kebebe Tshey the youth pastor at Journey Church in Oxford, GA. He loves was only 76 days old. The Hoffman’s were heartbroken. I going to Brighton Academy. I love how God works and I God, his wife, his children, food, Ethiopia, and Star Wars. cannot imagine the pain they felt.

Instead of walking away from adoption they ran toward it. They have adopted three more children from EthioFuneral Packages Starting at pia and started Brighton Their World. The main focus of * Brighton Their World is nutrition. Brighton passed away due to malnutrition. So, Brighton Their World provides Excluding Cemetery Cost formula, diapers, and other assorted things for Kebebe Tshey orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

After hearing their story I was heartbroken. What could www.younglevettfuneralhome.com Celebrating Life, One Fa mily at a Time I do to help? So that Sunday afternoon, I introduced myself to Tymm and Laura. The Hoffman’s decided to start sending small teams to Ethiopia so that Brighton Their World was more hands on. I volunteered for the very first trip. I argued with God for a while about it but we all know how arguing with God ends. Just look at Jonah.

I went on that first trip in 2013 and God opened my eyes. I actually refer to it as “A Sucker-Punch from the Holy Spirit”. My life was changed. My walk with God was changed. My role as a father changed. My role as a husband T. Lanier Levett & 129 W. Washington Street - Monroe, Ga. 3106 West Street - Covington, Ga. changed. To put it plainly, every aspect of my life had been Dana Sullivan Levett 770.267.2642 770.786.2944 turned upside down. There is not enough space to tell you *

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8B

The Covington News

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Covington resident celebrates 100th birthday Friends and family gathered at Salem United Methodist Church to celebrate Martha Wellburn Malcom’s 100th birthday Saturday, Sept. 24. She was joined by her daughters, Margaret Dimsdale of Covington and Gail Mobley of Conyers.

Malcolm was born on a farm in Bostwick on Sept.

29, 1916, the daughter Jesse and Onie Wellburn. The wife of Marion “J.M.” Malcolm, Wellburn moved to Covington in 1937, had two daughters, and worked at the Covington Manufacturing Shirt Factory, retiring in 1973.

Malcolm has five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Sandra Brands

Martha Wellburn Malcolm, far right, celebrated her 100th birthday at Salem United Methodist Church.

Her daughters, Margaret Dimsdale, far left, and Gail Mobley helped throw the party honoring their mother.

Sandra Brands The Covington News

KCNB holds river clean up Sandra Brands sbrands@covnews.com

Join other volunteers to help clean up rivers and streams in Newton County as part of Rivers Alive on Saturday, Oct. 8, beginning at 9 a.m. at Longhorn Steakhouse, 6112 Pavilion Way, Covington.

The event is held by Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful (KCNB). Created by the Department of Natural Resource’s Environmental Protection Division and Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, Rivers Alive targets waterways as part of an ongoing statewide campaign to clean and preserve more than 70,000 miles of Georgia’s rivers and streams.

Volunteers in Covington/Newton will support the statewide campaign by helping to prevent the pollution of the County’s waterways, including Turner Lake, the Alcovy River, South River, Yellow River and their tributaries. KCNB encourages civic and neighborhood groups, businesses, schools, Boy and Girl Scout troops, churches, youth groups, individuals, businesses, and families to participate in the countywide cleanup.

“We appreciate all of the volunteers who participate every year, and we welcome those new to the event. Our goal is to continue to grow the Rivers Alive event each year and bring greater awareness to the necessity of litter and pollution prevention”,

file photo | The Covington News

Volunteers will gather for the annual Rivers Alive cleanup Saturday, Oct. 8.

If you go What: Rivers Alive cleanup When: Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9 a.m.

Where: Volunteers meet at Longhorn Steakhouse, 6112 Pavilion Way, Covington

KCNB Director Laurie Riley said. “We also want to thank all of our local sponsors who gave generous donations to support our event.”

Cleanup supplies includ-

ing gloves and garbage bags will be provided and volunteers will receive free breakfast and a T-shirt for participation while supplies last.

Volunteers can bring report forms and clean up supplies to the KCNB booth at Covington First United Methodist Church’s Change the World event, held the same day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 1113 Conyers St. in Covington.

Those unable to participate Saturday, Oct. 2, but want to volunteer to help clean up Newton County

Pumpkin patch open throughout October Staff reports news@covnews.com

Among the decorations that can be seen throughout Newton County during the cool weather of fall are plenty of pumpkins.

There are many ways to display these bright orange, or even white, gourds, including as is, carved, or with plants placed on top of them.

With all those options, several pumpkins may be needed for the desired display.

The Great Pumpkin Patch is one place pumpkins can be purchased. Located on the front lawn of Covington First United Methodist Church, 1113 Conyers Street, the patch will have around 2,000 pumpkins available for purchase, Oct. 4 through 31. The patch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12:30 to 7 p.m. White, green and warty novelty pumpkins as well as gourds, corn and more will be available for purchase as well.

Parents can also bring cameras and take pictures with their children among the pumpkins. Members of the Covington FUMC church family will be on hand to help select pumpkins.

“The Great Pumpkin

Patch” is also open to school groups for field trips. Groups will be greeted and rotated through different areas, which includes storytelling, games, educational experiences and watching a video about the growth process of a pumpkin. The visit ends with the selection of a small

pumpkin.

All of the proceeds from the pumpkin patch go back into ministry and missions for our community.

For questions about the Pumpkin Patch, please call the church office at 770-7867305 or email communications@covingtonfirst.org.

rivers can use the Rivers Alive sign up forms to reserve t-shirts and supplies. Send a volunteer to pick them up on Oct. 8 and schedule a cleanup at the cleanup site on a later date.

Registration forms are available online at kcnb. biz and will be accepted via email to lriley@co.newton. ga.us, or fax to 770-7842082. The deadline to sign up and reserve cleanup sup-

plies is Sept. 30.

Local event sponsors include the City of Covington, Newton County Board of Commissioners, Newton County Water and Sewerage Authority, Mamie’s Kitchen Biscuit on Brown Bridge Road and Longhorn Steakhouse of Covington.

For questions about Rivers Alive, email lriley@ co.newton.ga.us or call 770784-2015.

2104 Newton Drive NE • Covington, GA 30014 • 770-787-2828 www.covingtonfamilydentist.com

Staff reports news@covnews.com

On Sept. 24, the Newton County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held its Annual Freedom Fund and Scholarship Gala at the Turner Lake Recreation Complex.

The theme was “Our Lives Matter, Our Vote Counts,” and the guest speaker was Georgia Representative Rev. Dee Dawkins-Haigler (DLithonia).

Pastor Clara Lett and the Garden of Gethsemane Homeless Shelter in Covington were the honorees at this year’s event.

Lett was licensed to preach and teach the Gospel 27 years ago.

She was ordained as a minister and, by 1993, had founded Rainbow Covenant Ministries in Porterdale. During her 23 years as a pastor, she received many awards and accolades from organizations such as the Newton County Ministers’ Union and was inducted into the “Hall of Faith” as one of the Top 20 leading women pastors of Metro Atlanta.

Lett opened the Garden of Gethsemane Homeless Shelter in Porterdale, which later moved to 7154 Turner Lake Circle S.W. in Covington. The Garden of Gethsemane not only helps those with housing needs, but also offers transitional resources which have helped thousands of people mentally and physically. The only homeless shelter in Newton County, it also serves surrounding counties.

The Newton County NAACP meets every fourth Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. at St. Paul AME Church, 13018 Brown Bridge Road, Covington. For more information, contact newtoncountynaacp@gmail. com or (770) 882-8588.

You told us what you thought!

Winner of a $ 500 Publix Gift Card!

Extra! Extra! Read all about September’s Cavity-Free Kids!

Charlie Briggs Margot Eastburn Tinsley Ewing Payton Hanson August Hays Jack Hays Sophie James Hannah Jones Nathan Mantle Emilia Sayago Manuel Sayago

NAACP honors Clara Lett at gala

Patsy Mitchell (at right)

B living Sunday, October 2, 2016

Page 9B

www.covnews.com

Wedding announcement

have you ever thought...

Brandee Booth, of Covington married Dan Tillett, of Conyers at the McDaniel-Tichenor House in Monroe on Saturday, June 18, 2016.

Rev. Douglas Gilreath was the officiant of the marriage between the daughter of Beverly Booth, of Covington and son of Sharon Porter, of Conyers.

The bride is a 2003 graduate of Eastside High School and 2010 graduate of the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University. She is currently an ER RN at Gwinnett Medical center.

The groom graduated Berkmar High School in 1989 and Western Carolina University in 2013. He is currently an RN with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Brooke Wynn was the Matron of honor, and bridesmaids were: Keegan Tatman, Michelle Floyd and Ashley Owens. Tina Johnson was the Groomswoman, and groomsmen were: Stephen Hood, Alex Tillett and Zach Tillett.

Community comes together to change the world Staff Reports news@covnews.com

A community of faith will come together for Change the World (CTW) Day on Oct. 8.

The event, is the concept of Rev. Mike Slaughter, a UMC pastor that was launched throughout the country about 10 years ago basing it on the works done in his own church and community in Ohio.

Slaughter was and still is dedicated to going outside the walls of the church to serving all God’s people especially the poor and lost. The idea is simple, if every community in the country, the world served its people, we would change the world.

Throughout the past seven years CTW Day in Newton County has grown, educating hundreds of people on a single day.

There are many facets to this event. There is a Community Service Fair that provides 100-plus booths educating those in the community of the services that are available in this area for health, education, opportunity, recreation and welfare. Flu shots and health screenings are available in the Community Service Fair area.

The Gifts of Grace is an area where those in

Submitted Photo | The Covington News

Covington First United Methodist Church hosts Change the World Day, Oct. 8, 2016.

our community in need can come and “shop” (all for free) for food, health items, clothes, have haircuts, showers, receive health services and information of assistance.

Throughout the event there is music, free food and a fall festival for a day a fun and fellowship. Prayer tents will also be set up around the property, offering prayer, Bibles and devotional books.

Members of the community are invited to set up a free booth to share the ministry

and missions of their churches, the services and opportunities of their businesses and organization.

For information please contact Claudia Minge, Coordinator @ claudiaminge22@ gmail.com or 770.786.7305.

The community is invited to attend, be a part and experience the presence of God on this day, serving those in need, educating a community and sharing in Christian fellowship.

marshall’s music minute

Flamenco, Merengue, Jazz and everything in between as well. And per usual, there It’s another week and another will be an impressive collecround of great music here in tion of art on display and for Newton County. But this week sale. You won’t want to miss there’s a little something extra. this one.

First Fridays at Southern Heartland Gallery kicks off with “Jazz and Martinis” at Spanish Flamenco music Friday, The Listening Room at Irish Oct. 7 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. marshall Bred Pub, 1115 Church at 1132 Monticello Street, SW, mccart Street, Covington, featuring Covington.

Columnist the Anthony Mancini Band For those who like art, light on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from hors d’oeuvres, wine and Flamenco guitar music, this event on the southwest 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Mancini and company have been percorner of the Covington Square, occurring forming this weekly residence at The Lisevery first Friday in the fall, is just the spot.

This amazing guild and gallery, featuring tening Room for a few weeks and have, by some of the greatest artists in the area, is so all accounts, been wowing crowds of jazz cool and special just by itself. But any time aficionados and enthusiasts during that you add music, food and beverages to the time. Mancini holds a degree in Jazz Guiwork of skillful and creative artisans that’s tar from Kennesaw State and has the licks and songbook to be described as “Real Deal something special.

Kicking off the inaugural First Friday Jazz.” His bandmates are all legit, and they will be Doble T, well-known and renowned kick out righteous jazz numbers in an inFlamenco guitarist extraordinaire who has timate and lounge style that will make you made quite the name for himself in and nod your head to those sweet jazz sounds around the Metro Atlanta area. He also while holding your martini glass. specializes in Flamenco dancing. In addition to the music and refreshments, there Another strong 1,2,3 punch will be art demonstrations and several of at Mystic Grill On Thursday, Oct. 6, Matt Moncrief the Guild Artisans will be in attendance

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brings his killer guitar chops, smooth vocals and eclectic songbook back to the rooftop at Mystic Grill, 1116 Clark Street, SW, Covington.

The next evening, Friday, Oct. 7, The Professor, David Leinweber, and Dave Benson, bring their superb harmonies and impressive guitar playing to the rooftop.

Then to top it off, JJ and Micha return to the Grill on Saturday, Oct. 8. Live music all three nights starts at 7 p.m.

Odds & Ends • Bluz N Grayz performs at Porterdale Bar and Grill, 52 South Broad Street, Porterdale on Friday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m.

• Live music every Friday night at Amici Covington, 1116 College Avenue SE, Covington.

• Live music every Saturday night at The Social House, 2101 Main Street, Porterdale.

• “Merengue and Mojitos” at The Listening Room on Saturday, Oct. 8 featuring Chris, Jon and Scott return for a free show on Friday, Oct. 7.

Marshall McCart wears many hats, but being a musician & musical enthusiast are chief among them.

Where you find variety when you dine out?

The task of finding something to eat is just that — a task. But add in a delightful evening outdoors, visiting with friends and neighbors and it’s no longer a task but an event.

Just such an evening is coming up.

The Sixth Annual Taste of Newton is Thursday, Oct. 13, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Porter Memorial Gymnasium in Porterdale. Since the gym is al fresco, if it b. wiley stephens Columnist rains that night, the organizers will try again on Friday, Oct. 14.

There is no admission for the Taste of Newton, and no reservations are necessary for the dining experience. Tickets, costing $1 each, will be available to use at the various booths featuring local restaurants and eateries.

The price for what you want may require several tickets. Each booth sets its own prices.

Adding to the festivities is live music and a cash bar. You will need cash at the bar.

Lisa Baker, program director of the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce says that expectations are for about 500 people to attend this year. Seeing many of your friends and neighbors adds greatly to the festivities.

The setting for the Taste of Newton is the Porter Memorial Gymnasium, in the heart of Porterdale at 2201 Main Street. If you have not been to an activity at the rebuilt facility it is well worth the trip. The gymnasium was a gift to the people of Porterdale from Oliver and Julia Porter. At one point, 5,000 people could watch a basketball game in the gym. Even Georgia Tech and Oglethorpe University would play scrimmage games there.

Many community activities occurred there over the years. However, with limited budgets and lack of maintenance the gym fell on hard times, and it was struck by a devastating fire in 2005. But the dream did not die in the hearts of the people of Porterdale. It has been rebuilt in an open air venue for community events.

One-hundred-thirty truckloads of fill dirt were brought in to give a one level floor of event, walls had to be strengthened and drainage provided for. The gym has since been transformed into a great place for a wedding, family reunion or a community event like the Taste of Newton.

As you attend Taste of Newton you will sense the history of the location but also appreciate the creativity of those who saw beyond the ruins.

The booths offer a great variety t for those attending the 2016 Taste of Newton. Participating are Amici’s, Bradley’s Bar-B-Que, the Bread and Butter Bakery, Bullritos, Newton College and Career Academy, Common Ground Coffee House, Harrison’s Family Farm, Jessicakes, Jimmy John’s, Johnny’s Pizza, Millazzo’s Ristorante, Mystic Grill, Oxford College of Emory University, Shane’s Rib Shack, The Oaks Course, Town Square Olive Oi, and Your Pie. You will find you can move from one delight to another without having to fmove your car.

There will be at least two challenges as you taste the delights that our community has to offer. You will have to decide which you want to take a second taste of and you may have to stop before you can finish because there is so much to enjoy, But just relax you have a wonderful fun filled evening with friends to enjoy the great variety of food that our area has to offer. Come as soon as you can, time to get it all in may be your greatest challenge.

Sponsors for the evening are Ginn Motors, Newton Federal Bank, and Piedmont Newton Hospital. The host is Newton County of Chamber Commerce.

B. Wiley Stephens is a retired United Methodist Minister and author who now resides in Covington.

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10B

The Covington News

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Turning back the Pages is a biweekly series by The Covington News, presented by Mayfield Ace Hardware. The Covington News has been telling the story of your life since 1865 and we are highlighting some of the stories from our archives in both our print and online editions.

In this week’s edition of Turning Back the Pages, we turn them back 25 years to 1991 when we celebrated the grand opening of a national chain and highlighted a resident’s artistic ability.

Working Women: Aug. 1, 1981 A fitness consultant, Sharon Barbano, gave businesswomen health and fitness advice for maintaining stress and their health. She talks about how hard it is to be motivated, sometimes because the workday can be extremely taxing. Her best advice is aerobic activity. This includes walking, running, swimming and biking. Barbano says that it is the most affective way to strengthen the heart and lungs, as well as burn calories. She suggests starting slow and working your way up to more strenuous activity.

No matter how busy our daily lives are, it is extremely important to stay healthy and active.

Local Teacher of the Year Selected: Aug. 8, 1981 It is an amazing blessing to have wonderful teachers in our school system that go above and beyond to make sure their students receive the outstanding education they deserve. The Newton County School System awards one teacher who has proven worthy to receive the teacher of

the year. In 1981, the Teacher of the Year Award was given to Mrs. June Dyson Brown who taught at Livingston Elementary School.

Four Men are arrested in Gun Pointing Incident: Aug. 1, 1981 A local police officer, at the time, was making a routine traffic stop, and then found him self

surrounded by three men and a juvenile with rifles. They emerged from one of the residences around the street, attempting to keep the officer from making a traffic arrest. They went back inside their home and promptly returned with rifle in hand to escalate the situation. They were all put under arrest for obstructing an officer and pointing a gun at another. This teaches us a lesson about showing respect to law enforcement, for most of the time they are only trying to do their job just like you and I.

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The Covington News

Sunday, October 2, 2016

11B

Tellin’ it like it is

Now that fall says a lot about is officially here, your attitude it’s time to talk and how you about sports. handle things.

Whoever says Georgia’s new sports aren’t head football fun to watch, coach Kirby doesn’t know Smart was beth rowe what they’re spotted several Columnist talking about. times in news Even my 4-yearconferences old granddaughter loves and on TV not even weargoing to high school games ing his team colors. I guess on Friday night high school his coaching ability is more football games. Now, foot- important than what he’s ball can be a confusing sport. wearing. But Georgia did get I’ve seen men, coaches and off to a poor start both on offans — both under the influ- fense and on defense. ence and not — scratch their After the first few games heads in disbelief and confu- of the season, I didn’t think sion over what play is called this college football season and what penalty is charged was going to be exciting. to their favorite team. You Even UGA didn’t seem exdon’t have to understand the cited in the least bit judging sport but just remember to from his behavior at the last observe and ask questions few games and that’s pretty later. bad when you can’t even get The game itself isn’t hard your team mascot fired up. to understand and if a But on the field, football 4-year-old can make sense is just starting to get real inof it anybody can. teresting and last weekend However, it’s football eti- certainly proved it. Social quette that has me scratch- Circle won its game but both ing my head. For instance, Georgia and Georgia Tech with all that long hair some flat out got clobbered. I got players wear you can’t tell if so depressed over the Georsome of the players are girls gia game that I gave up beor boys. Their hair, though, fore half time and fell asleep. looks better than a lot of la- The real nail-biters were LSU dies. vs Auburn and Tennessee vs The way some of college Florida. And if you missed and professional teams have either, you missed a good been playing this season, one. makes you wonder if they’re The one thing I’ve learned spending more time on their about football is to expect hair than on practice. I can the unexpected. Throughout only imagine talk among the years, I have seen the unthe team — “Son you’re late derdog come from behind for practice again!” “Yes sir, to win the game countless coach. My appointment at times right up until the last the beauty shop took longer second ticks off the clock. than I expected” or “I had to But the LSU game went befix my hair before I came.” yond. LSU was celebrating I don’t know what the their last-minute victory but Tennessee Volunteers were it was short lived after an thinking when they changed officials’ review, and it was their uniforms to gray and determined the winning orange but I liked the bright touchdown was invalid and orange and white much bet- Auburn won. ter. That may not seem like Still, I was both shocked a big deal but how you look and thrilled when Tennes-

Metro Creative Connection

Taking a moment to have a Dawg talk

see defeated Florida for the first time in 15 years. When Tennessee came back for the third quarter after trailing by 21 points and started playing real football, I said to myself, “who is that playing?”

Somebody definitely lit a fire under their fannies just in the nick of time and it obviously worked. I just hope it sticks because if you thought things have been interesting, you haven’t seen anything yet.

This weekend is going to be quite interesting so no matter what else is going on, be sure you don’t miss the excitement!

City of Covington NOTICE TO PUBLIC:

Notice is hereby given that the City of Covington Planning Commission will convene on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Planning and Zoning Department conference room, 2116 Stallings Street, Covington, GA 30014 to consider the merits of the following: A request by Clark Street North, LLC for a preliminary plat approval for phase two of the Clark’s Grove subdivision located off Clark Street and more specifically being tax parcel C037-0007-008 which consist of 22.73 acres and zoned Neighborhood Residential 3. This phase of development proposes to construct 88 new lots consisting of single-family residential and mixed use development within the Traditional Neighborhood Planned Unit Development.

All interested parties should attend. To obtain copies of the proposed amendments or questions should be directed to the Department of Planning and Zoning by calling 770-385-2178 __________________________________ CITY PLANNER, SCOTT GAITHER CITY OF COVINGTON, GEORGIA

Beth Rowe is a columnist who sees the world around her and tells it like it is. She may be reached at lakecountrymeme@gmail.com.

National Midwifery Week Spotlight on Breastfeeding Awareness

By Denise Cochran, CNM, MSN

J

oin us in celebrating National Midwifery Week, October 2-8, 2016. During National Midwifery Week we are putting special emphasis on breastfeeding awareness and education.

One of the first important decisions a new mom makes is how to feed her child. Although Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are most associated with pregnancy and childbirth, they have advanced education and the experience to provide medical care and guidance to women through their adolescent to menopausal years. Providing education and support to women after their babies are born is both satisfying and exciting for midwives.

Women who breastfeed are making an investment our future. Wouldn’t you want to do something that saved you money, kept you and your baby healthy, protected your baby from pollution and generated less waste for our landfills? Breastfeeding does all that and more!

A woman’s body makes food that is perfect for her baby because it provides the most complete nutrition possible. Breastfed children have fewer and less serious illnesses than those that have never received breast milk. And breastfed children have higher IQ scores, as well as better brain and nervous system development.

Mothers who breastfeed their babies are themselves healthier. Breastfeeding while women are young protects them from breast and ovarian cancers and keeps their bones stronger when they are older.

Breastfeeding also makes life easier for young families! Breast milk is free; it saves families money! And because breastfed babies are healthier, their parents miss work less than parents who feed their babies formula. Exclusive breastfeeding helps naturally space pregnancies so mom and dad can spend precious time raising each child.

Covington Women’s Health Specialists is celebrating National Midwifery Week by recognizing the Certified Nurse Midwives in our practice who are each expert

Covington

in supporting women with breastfeeding.

Brenda Barlowe, CNM, MSN, Denise Cochran, CNM, MSN and Barbara Susin CNM, MPH, MSN have over 50 combined years of experience providing healthcare to women and their families in a wide variety of settings. Each is dedicated to providing compassionate care to women.

While we recognize that every woman’s journey to motherhood is her own, the midwives and providers of Covington Women’s Health Specialists encourage families to consider breastfeeding as their first choice for feeding their babies.

Piedmont Newton Hospital participates in the Georgia 5-STAR Hospital Initiative.

This program, developed by the Georgia Department of Public Health, recognizes hospitals that have taken steps to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding in their hospital. To reach 5-STAR status, a hospital will implement the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as defined by the World Health Organization and BabyFriendly R USA. Our providers work alongside staff at Piedmont Newton Hospital to support mothers who desire to breastfeed their babies.

For more information about midwives or breastfeeding, contact Covington Women’s Health Specialists, with offices located in the Physician’s Pavilion at Piedmont Newton Hospital, 4181 Hospital Drive, Suites 100 & 104, Covington, GA 30014, 770-385-8954. We provide complete maternity and gynecological care to women of all ages. The office is comprised of four OB/GYN Physicians, three Certified Nurse Midwives, and one Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. Maternity care and deliveries are attended exclusively at Piedmont Newton Hospital. Minimally invasive and major Gynecological surgery is performed at Piedmont Newton Hospital, and Robotic Gynecological surgery is offered at Rockdale Medical Center. Visit our website at www.cwhs-larrimore.com and like us on Facebook: Covington Women’s Health Specialists.

OB/GYN

Women’s Health H lth hS Specialists Drive NE, Ste. 100 & 104 Covington, GA 30014 770-385-8954 4181 Hospital www.cwhs-larrimore.com

Brenda Barlowe, CNM

Denise Cochran, CNM

Barb Susin, CNM

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