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Mayors discuss SPLOST, railroad
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Covington News
The county is having a SPLOST work session at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Historic Courthouse, and Newton County’s mayors are preparing to make a united stand to make sure they receive their fair share of SPLOST dollars.
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Parking ordinance would prevent some commercial vehicles from res. areas
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Covington News
The Covington city council reached a consensus Wednesday about what kind of larger commercial vehicles will be allowed to park in residential areas.
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Council, mayor and city manager look to specify duties
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Covington News
Although Covington’s City Charter contains several pages about the structure of its government, very little information about the actual roles and duties of the city manager, council and mayor are contained in the 48-year-old document.
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Fixed-base fuel shortage causes council concern
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Rockdale Citizen
A month after the Covington City Council urged the fixed base operator at Covington Municipal Airport to meet the requirements of its contract with the city, there is concern by officials that isn’t happening.
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Airport has another fuel shortage; council could consider contract termination
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Covington News
The Covington Municipal Airport once again ran short on some of its fuel, and it appears airport operator Dixie Jet Services may have run out of second chances.
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Council completes planning retreat
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Newton Citizen
The City Council completed its three-day Strategic Planning Retreat on Tuesday, ready to turn over the process to a planning and implementation team that will formulate the document by year’s end.
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Covington council has honest discussion about diversity
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Covington News
The City of Covington is taking steps to increase diversity in both its work force and list of contractors, following a candid discussion at the city council's strategic planning retreat, spurred by Councilwoman Hawnethia Williams' concerns.
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City plans to change pension plan
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Covington News
The City of Covington has several important issues on its plate, including switching away from its defined-benefit retirement plan, possibly grooming a future replacement for City Manager Steve Horton and its future participation in the Leadership Collaborative.
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Diversity a hot topic at city retreat
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Newton Citizen
Diversity in the city’s work force became the topic of a tense but restrained discussion among City Council members at their Strategic Planning Retreat at The Oaks on Monday.
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City receives tree planting grant
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Covington News
City of Covington officials thankfully received a $6,000 tree planting grant from the Upper Ocmulgee River and Chestatee Chattahoochee Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) councils.
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Covington council continues strategic planning process
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Covington News
The City of Covington’s staff has completed many of the goals previously set by the city council, but council members said they still had trouble communicating with each other, particularly during controversial issues
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City hires new airport engineer
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Newton Citizen
It seems Vincent Passariello is perfectly suited to be the city of Covington’s new airport engineer.
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Council hires new airport employee, consulting firm
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Covington News
The Covington City Council approved a couple of changes to the Covington Municipal Airport
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Council: Main Street Covington may go fully under city control
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Covington News
The Covington City Council gave its consensus Monday to explore the possibility of bringing the Main Street Covington program entirely under city control.
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City mulls taking over Main Street
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Newton Citizen
The City Council informally agreed Monday night to approach Newton County about bringing the Main Street Covington program totally under the city’s control.
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City considers strict building regulations in Walker’s Bend
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Covington News
The Covington Redevelopment Authority and residents in Walker’s Bend want to see only high-quality structures built in the subdivision to aid in its revitalization and protect the city’s significant investment in the area.
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City approves charter change
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Newton Citizen
The City Council amended the city’s charter Monday night to allow city employees and officials to do business with the city.
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Vote delayed on Walker’s Bend overlay
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Newton Citizen
The Covington City Council delayed voting on a proposed overlay zoning district for Walker’s Bend subdivision Monday night, opting instead to send it back to the Planning Commission after a resident raised concerns that future development will not have a minimum square footage standard.
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Covington to abolish credit fees
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Newton Citizen
Utility customers of the city of Covington will soon no longer pay a convenience fee when they pay their bills with debit or credit cards.
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City approves purchasing policy change; county resident opposes
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Covington News
The Covington City Council approved the final reading of a change to the city’s charter that now allows city employees and elected officials to sell goods or provide services to the city, under limited circumstances.
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City may change card payment fee
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Covington News
The City of Covington is considering paying the 2.95 percent credit card convenience fee that it normally passes on to customers who use credit or debit cards to pay their bills.
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Council reaffirms support for trail
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Covington News
The Covington City Council reaffirmed its support Monday night for the "Library to Eastside Trail," a project that’s been budgeted for at least the past five years, City Manager Steve Horton said.
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Pier over wetlands valuable for students, eyesore to others
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Covington News
Many Covington residents who pass by City Hall are left confused by what they see.
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Covington PD accredited for 25th year in a row
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Newton Citizen
It’s one thing to attain excellence, but quite another to maintain that exceptional level for a quarter century. But the Covington Police Department has bragging rights for having accomplished just that. For 25 years, that agency has consistently maintained international accreditation.
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City Council gives 2 bills first reads
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Newton Citizen
Two ordinance changes are under way for Covington. The first ordinance change to receive a first reading Monday by the Covington City Council was one that would allow the use of bows and arrows in certain parts of the city.
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City approves first reading of bow hunting ordinance
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Covington News
Bow hunting is one step closer to being allowed in unoccupied areas within the Covington city limits after the Covington City Council approved the first reading Monday night.
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Argentinean Mayor visits Covington
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Covington News
The Mayor of Cordoba, Argentina visited Covington City Hall Wednesday morning to discuss the solid waste issues in Cordoba and how they compared to American cities and how a process called gasification could hold the key to reducing waste while simultaneously producing energy.
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City wants notice of park gatherings
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Newton Citizen
Officials have agreed to require anyone wishing to host large gatherings at Spillers Park off Jefferson Avenue in the Nelson Heights Community to first notify the city.
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Covington ups offer for industry
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Covington News
Covington officials have agreed to up the ante on tax incentives being offered to an industry considering locating in the city.
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Argentinian mayor to visit Covington
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Covington News
The mayor of Cordoba, Argentina is coming to city hall to visit with Covington Mayor Kim Carter and former Mayor Sam Ramsey to learn more about the community and the county at large
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City keeps contract with airport operator
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Covington News
Once again, the Covington City Council decided it would continue to contract with current operator Dixie Jet Services to run Covington Municipal Airport — for now.
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Sight for sore eyes
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Covington News
The stone columns recently erected near the intersection of Atlanta Street and South Marietta Parkway are part of a larger plan to visually enhance part of the city, from Frasier Circle to Meeting Park, city officials say.
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Airport operation work session to take place Tuesday
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Covington News
Dixie Jet Owner Bob Riddell, who operates the Covington Municipal Airport, asked the city council to consider a new operating agreement, because he said the broad early termination clause makes him wary of investing in the airport’s future.
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Council calls special session on airport fixed-base operator
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Newton Citizen
The Covington City Council will meet next week to discuss any future arrangement with Dixie Jet Services Inc., the fixed base operator at Covington Municipal Airport.
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Troy Univ. to move downtown
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Newton Citizen
Troy University will soon make a move to downtown Covington.
The Covington City Council gave unanimous approval Monday to the college’s request for a special-use permit so that it can move from its current location on Geiger Street to 1160 Monticello St., at its intersection of Reynolds Street. The building which is one block off the Square, is the former site of the Delaney Hotel and, more recently, Home Health Care.
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Mayor Carter receives certificate of recognition
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Covington News
Covington Mayor Kimberly Carter received the prestigious Certificate of Recognition from the Georgia Municipal Training Institute at the Georgia Municipal Association’s 77th Annual Convention in Savannah on June 28.
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Party draws tenants’ gripes
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Newton Citizen
A block party at Spillers Park in the Nelson Heights community on Saturday had residents complaining and was a topic of concern at Monday’s City Council meeting.
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Covington to consider bow hunting in city limits
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Covington News
Local residents are asking the Covington City Council to allow them to use hunting bows within the city limits in order to control a deer population that is damaging vegetation and causing car accidents.
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Farewell to the faces of Covington
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Covington News
For more than 20 years, Doug Banks, Debbie Dial and Mary Vosyka have been the face of Covington to many residents and business owners. The three long-time city employees were the go-to people for anyone starting a new business or building a new home.
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20 from city choose early retirement
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Newton Citizen
The city of Covington will eliminate up to 14 positions through a voluntary early retirement incentive package.
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Covington recertified as City of Ethics by association
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Rockdale Citizen
Covington has been recertified as a City of Ethics by the Georgia Municipal Association. The city was first recognized with the designation in 2006. To qualify, officials passed an ethics ordinance to guide the conduct of employees, elected officials, board members and authority members of the city.
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Some Covington businesses eligible for state tax credit
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Newton Citizen
Portions of Covington have been designated as opportunity zones by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, meaning business owners can take advantage of tax credits if they meet certain stipulations.
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Part of Covington named Opportunity Zone
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Covington News
Business owners in Covington's downtown business district and Washington Street commercial corridor will be able to save on their income taxes if they hire two or more workers, and follow a few other steps.
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Council OKs measures for rental homes
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Newton Citizen
The revitalization of Walker’s Bend subdivision off Ga. Highway 81 is continuing as the Covington City Council approved two measures Monday that will result in assistance for low-income residents to obtain housing there.
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City OKs $119M budget
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Newton Citizen
The Covington City Council approved the 2010-11 budget Monday night without fanfare.
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Affordable homes could be built in Walker’s Bend
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Covington News
The Covington Redevelopment Authority continues its efforts to remake Walker’s Bend and has reached an agreement to sell 28 lots to private developer Affordable Equity Partners to build 32 single-family homes
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Covington audit reveals no flaws
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Covington News
As the city council prepares to approve its FY 2011 budget on Monday, city officials can have extra confidence in the finance department after the FY2009 financial audit came back with no findings.
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City budget will leave a $1M surplus
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Newton Citizen
Like other local governments across the country, the city of Covington has experienced a decline in property tax revenues and a shrinking budget; but unlike some of its counterparts, Covington is weathering the economic storm.
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CRA nabs more lots for housing
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Newton Citizen
The Covington Redevelopment Authority is purchasing an additional nine lots in Walker’s Bend subdivision off Ga. Highway 81 as part of the city’s housing initiative.
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City to address commercial vehicle parking
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Newton Citizen
Covington officials are drafting an ordinance to address parking of commercial vehicles in residential areas.
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Water authority, Covington to increase water rates
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Covington News
As the county increases its wholesale water rates, its customers, the city of Covington and the Newton County Water and Sewerage Authority, are raising their rates too.
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City Council OKs hike to water fees
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Newton Citizen
The Covington City Council approved an increase in water and sewer rates Monday night. Officials said the increase is in response to a hike in the wholesale cost of water by Newton County.
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Redevelopment Authority to buy additional lots
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Covington News
The Covington Redevelopment Authority is planning to purchase nine more lots in the Walker's Bend subdivision as it continues efforts to revitalize that area.
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Turner Lake Road roundabout gets under way
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Newton Citizen
Work has begun on the roundabout at Turner Lake Road and Clark Street.
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Main Street will not get more money
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Covington News
After nearly a month of back and forth, the city council formally voted, unanimously, Thursday night to not raise Main Street Director Josephine Kelly’s salary nor add part-time help.
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FUMC pays shelter’s $5,000 utility deposit
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Covington News
In March, the Covington First United Methodist Church paid the $5,000 utility deposit owed to the City of Covington by the Garden of Gethsemane Homeless Shelter, said Rev. Clara Lett.
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Main Street budget hike off the table
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Newton Citizen
The Covington City Council agreed to remove a salary increase for the Main Street Covington director and funding for part-time help from the city’s fiscal year 2011 budget at a called meeting Thursday evening.
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City nixes free pickup of furniture
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Newton Citizen
The Covington City Council agreed to abolish free curbside pickup of furniture and appliances at its Monday night meeting by a vote of 3-2.
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Water and sewer rate increase
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Covington News
The Covington City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to increase water and sewer rates for city residents, passing on an expected 10 percent increase that the county is planning to charge the city.
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JDA supports Covington airport expansion
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Morgan County Citizen
The Joint Development Authority (JDA) of Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton counties is supporting a planned expansion of Covington’s airport.
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Covington Fire Department to host ‘Fire House 5’ race
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Covington News
The Main Street Covington program is going to be expanding, and the consensus of the Covington City Council is that Director Josephine Kelly deserves a 5 percent raise.
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Chamber dedicates art wall in honor of Irene Smith
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Covington News
Wednesday afternoon young artists, Covington-Newton Chamber of Commerce members and friends and family of Irene Smith gathered at the chamber visitor center to honor her service to the organization's tourism division as well as the Main Street Covington program.
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Council consensus to up Main Street funding
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Covington News
The Main Street Covington program is going to be expanding, and the consensus of the Covington City Council is that Director Josephine Kelly deserves a 5 percent raise.
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Newborn sends letter of interest to railroad co.
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Covington News
Newborn officials are determined to get all the facts about the Norfolk Southern rail line, no matter what Covington or Newton County officials do.
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Fireman’s trust hosts first 5K
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Newton Citizen
The Covington Fireman’s Memorial Trust is offering an opportunity to get a good workout and help a good cause at the same time.
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Main Street expansion proposed
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Newton Citizen
A proposal to expand Main Street Covington’s scope of work, increase the director’s salary and add a part-time position is under discussion by the City Council.
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City offers retirement incentives
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Newton Citizen
The city of Covington is offering an early retirement incentive to eligible employees.
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City no longer to pick up furniture for free
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Covington News
The City of Covington is planning no longer to pick up furniture and other items that are left out on the side of the road, in an effort to save money.
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Meeting held on rail line
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Newton Citizen
An informational meeting held Thursday about the potential acquisition of 15 miles of rail line left many in attendance wanting more information. Mayor Kim Carter opened the meeting in the council chambers by reminding the public this was an informational meeting and no official action would be taken.
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CPD donates to Washington Street Community Center kid’s programs
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Covington News
With the D.A.R.E. program no longer operating, the Covington Police Department wanted to find an alternate way to help children in the community.
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City to Build Sidwalks
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Covington News
The Covington city council approved using an old $265,648 federal sidewalk grant and $175,412 in local match funds to build sidewalks along Clark Street from Carroll Street to the planned roundabout.
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Council: $30,000 too much for strategic planning
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Covington News
After everything was said and done, the city of Covington only spent $2,325 on the three-day elected officials’ strategic planning retreat that took place in March.
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City votes against railroad purchase
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Newton Citizen
The city of Covington will not be involved in the purchase of the Norfolk Southern rail line, the council voted Monday night in a surprise 5-1 outcome.
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City to look at its alcohol ordinance
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Newton Citizen
The City Council will take another look at its alcohol ordinance following an application for a liquor license by someone who had a DUI conviction 18 years ago.
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Covington to not pursue railroad purchase
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Covington News
The City of Covington will not purchase the Norfolk Southern railroad. The council voted 5-1 to end any city involvement in the purchase of the railroad. Councilwoman Janet Goodman was the only member opposed.
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Police get new digital video system
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Newton Citizen
The Covington Police Department is giving residents a reason to smile while they’re getting a ticket — they’ll be on crisp, clear digitally enhanced video thanks to a federal grant and forfeited funds from drug arrests.
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City sets comment time limit
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Newton Citizen
The Covington City Council has set a time limit on public comments at its meetings, following what Mayor Kim Carter said had been abuse of the privilege to speak before the council in recent weeks.
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City annexes and rezones industrial property
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Covington News
A controversial piece of vacant property, 167 acres located northeast of SKC off Hazelbrand Road, was annexed by the City of Covington Monday night and rezoned from county agricultural residential to city heavy industrial.
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City approves Hazelbrand annexation
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Newton Citizen
The Covington City Council approved a controversial annexation and rezoning request Monday night for an industrial development on Hazelbrand Road.
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Covington city council to put time limit on public comments
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Covington News
The Covington City Council has taken the position that its two monthly meetings are first and foremost business meetings, therefore, public comments will be limited to five minutes per individual or 10 minutes per group of individuals speaking on the same side of the same topic.
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City delays decision to take over airport
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Covington News
Once again, Mayor Kim Carter called for the city to manage the airport and terminate its contract with the current airport manager, Dixie Jet Service.
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CPD to purchase 10 video systems for patrol cars
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Covington News
The Covington Police Department will have 10 new digital video systems installed in patrol cars thanks to a grant and seized funds.
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Public safety staffs shed pounds in contest
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Newton Citizen
In jobs where physical fitness could mean the difference between life and death, members of the Covington Police Department, the Covington Fire Department and the Covington/Newton County 911 Communications Center opted to get competitive about getting in shape.
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City gets grant for energy efficiency
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Newton Citizen
The city of Covington has been awarded a $300,000 grant for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.
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City gets $300K energy efficiency grant
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Covington News
The City of Covington received $300,000 in stimulus money to help residents make their homes more energy efficient.
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City retreat focuses new 3-year plan
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Covington News
For two and a half days the Covington City Council discussed how to direct the city government over the next three years, as part of their strategic planning retreat held at the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Camp. The council didn’t create a strategic plan, but it learned the proper process for how to create one.
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Covington to hold meeting on rails to trails
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Newton Citizen
City officials will get more information and discuss their options regarding the purchase of a railroad and its potential conversion to a trail system at an upcoming work session, after lengthy discussion of the issue at their retreat last week.
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City moves forward with plan
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Newton Citizen
The city of Covington is set to move forward with creating a strategic plan that will guide employees, managers and officials toward a common vision for the next three years.
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Covington airport subject of aviators’ complaints
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Newton Citizen
Aviators have complained that the fixed base operator at Covington Municipal Airport is not providing adequate fuel for their planes and has not been maintaining required hours of operation.
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City focuses housing in Harristown, Walker’s Bend
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Covington News
While blight is a problem in neighborhoods across Covington, city officials have chosen two neighborhoods to be the focus of their rehabilitation efforts: Harristown and Walker’s Bend.
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BOE, BOC refuse to pay stormwater
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Covington News
The City of Covington may have to sue Newton County and the Newton County School System if it wants to receive the more than $120,000 in stormwater fees it says it’s owed.
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Walker’s Bend to be revitalized
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Newton Citizen
The city of Covington recently became the first in the state to complete its Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and now, more plans are in the works to rehabilitate the targeted neighborhood. The city recently closed on eight town homes that are now owner-occupied in Walker’s Bend subdivision off Ga. Highway 81 with federal stimulus money through the NSP.
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Council moves to address high utility concerns
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Covington News
The Covington City Council will consider the formation of utility committee that will be composed of residents, city officials and utility experts, in an effort to connect better to a community suffering from high utility prices.
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Eight families get a second chance because of the efforts of Covington, Habitat
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Covington News
Lakisha Johnson was moving backwards and grasping for something, anything to hold onto. Several years ago life had seemed so bright — she’d been in a relationship and had just bought her own house.
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Airport has problem with fuel supplies
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Covington News
Construction delays and service issues continue to cause problems at the Covington Municipal Airport, including the inability for some planes to take off because of a lack of fuel.
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Newton recognized for its abundant resources
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Covington News
Newton County’s residents have long felt their home was full of gems, and it appears the entire region agrees.
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Social Circle land could be de-annexed
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Covington News
Rep. Doug Holt (R-Social Circle) has stated that he is planning on introducing legislation to the state house that would de-annex one or several pieces of property from the city of Social Circle.
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Planning commission approves Gainer property rezoning again
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Covington News
The desire of city officials to bring in more jobs and tax revenue through new industry clashed head on against the traffic, noise and pollution concerns of local residents at Tuesday night’s Covington Planning Commission meeting. The additional jobs and tax revenue appear to have won.
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County’s mayors discuss railroad at bi-monthly meeting
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Covington News
Though Newton County residents are split on their opinions toward purchasing the Norfolk Southern railroad, the mayors of Newborn and Mansfield appear to be in support of the idea and said Friday they’d like to see the rails converted to trails in their small cities.
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