Thousands of high school seniors in Rockdale and Newton counties took the symbolic step toward adulthood last week during commencement ceremonies.

The following charges and arrests were reported by the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, Conyers Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, and Georgia Pardon and Parole for the period of May 21 to May 27:

When I was a senior in college, my very final semester, I took an English class named “Shakespeare’s Comedies.” I loved the class, and I made a B in it. Maybe a B+. If I had known then what I know now about Shakespeare and botany, I’m sure I could have blown that class away with some plant-related essays. Maybe they’ll let me sign up again as an old retired professor.

One man is dead and another in jail after they apparently shot at each other during a domestic incident on Memorial Day.

On Saturday, May 20, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Sheriff’s Activity League (SAL) held its inaugural GEES and GEMS Youth Academy graduation ceremony.

Three suspects are in custody and a fourth is being sought in connection with an April 3 incident that left one man dead and two others wounded, one of whom is wanted on a murder charge.

It was either the best deal that could have been reached given the political makeup of the House, Senate and White House, or it was a bad deal that might have been much better had Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Republicans held out for more.

The Conyers City Council has approved several ordinance amendments designed to better define areas within the city where alcohol may be served.

If you and your loved ones yearn for new, stimulating experiences to feel connected to the outdoors, look no further than enjoying mealtime al fresco.

Twenty historic homes and sites in Milledgeville will be open for tours during the Georgia Trust Expedition, Saturday, June 10. The event will offer visitors and residents alike a rare opportunity to explore historic private homes and significant historic sites during a day-long, self-guided tour.

The other day I was walking in Heritage Park in McDonough where I observed many flying insects swarming out of a wooded area. I followed them to the source, a dead tree. The insects were termites.

It was a sad week for the leader of the Free World, as Biden allowed the Chinese to take a victory-lap over his sovereign nation.

Government leaders of the influential Group of Seven (G7) met in Japan during May 19-21. Last June, they gathered at the elegant Schloss Elmau, in picturesque Bavaria Germany. Two major nations known in the past for aggressive militarism are now influential leaders in international cooperation.

On Aug. 21, 1943, right waist gunner S/Sgt. Julius F. Greer Jr. of Jasper County, Georgia, climbed aboard the B-17 “Polly Ann” with the rest of its crew for the flight across The Pond to Ridgewell in the Braintree District of Essex, England. Assigned to the 381st Bomb Group, 535th Bomb Squad…

"Where there's a will, there's a way" is an old and familiar quotation, often attributed to Albert Einstein, who was on to something almost as significant as E=MC2.

SOCIAL CIRCLE — Twelve schoolchildren have been announced as statewide winners in the Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest.

Years ago, Covington Police Chief Stacey Cotton thought that his twin sons, Kole and Kyle, might follow him into law enforcement, but the exact opposite happened.

This Sunday we as the church will celebrate Pentecost. According to Acts 2, on Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples like tongues of fire and inspired them to speak in different languages, so that the crowds that had gathered in Jerusalem each heard the good news of Jesus in their own language.

Guilty Plea in October 2020 murder of Quin Russell:

It's been a while since we've heard the kind of optimism contained in Sen. Tim Scott's (R-SC) announcement of a presidential run.

The Covington Police Department officer who was shot and wounded Tuesday night after responding to a domestic dispute is “awake, alert and in good spirits,” according to a release from the CPD.

COVINGTON — Seventh generation Covington resident Travis Moore has announced plans to run for the East Ward, Post 2 seat on the Covington City Council. Incumbent Fleeta Baggett has said that she will not seek re-election to the post.

The following charges and arrests were reported by the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, Conyers Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, and Georgia Pardon and Parole for the period of May 14 — May 20.

A Covington Police officer was shot and a suspect killed in an exchange of gunfire at a Covington Hotel Tuesday night.

A man shot in the head in a residence in the Fountain Crest subdivision has died, and the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office has released the names of two men suspected in the shooting.

The other day I was busying around in the herbarium when a gentleman from the little town of Wagener, S.C., dropped by, carrying a bucket. Inside the bucket was a good bit of water, from his pond, and in the water was this very curious plant. The nice man was looking for someone to tell him …

Memorial Day weekend and the official start of summer are here. Pools open, park use explodes, festivals and outdoor concerts and events fill your summer calendars in communities across Georgia. And on tiny Tybee Island — an idyllic coastal community, past the marshlands and Intracoastal wat…

The expected announcement this week from Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis that he is running for president will come as no surprise.

Shoppers browsed in a relaxed atmosphere under the oaks at the Covington Welcome Center Saturday morning during the Covington Farmers Market. The event offers a wide array of homemade and homegrown goods from vendors near and far. The market will be closed Saturday, May 27 due to the Memoria…

Eastside High School and NCCA Stem Institute junior Bobby Stephens will head to Georgia Southern University in Statesboro in June to participate in the prestigious 2023 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program.

The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office has identified two men wanted in connection with a shooting in the Fountain Crest subdivision, and one of the two has been arrested.

Nothing makes family time special quite like a homemade meal, especially one made with locally sourced ingredients that are as fresh and flavorful as they are thoughtfully prepared.

Thousands of high school seniors in Rockdale and Newton counties are preparing for commencement exercises this week as they mark the conclusion of one phase of life and the beginning of another.

The spring landscape has many flowering shrubs that color the landscape, such as azaleas, forsythias, and spiraeas. Now that we enter the summer months, many shrubs produce colorful blooms. Many plants tolerate Georgia’s heat and humidity while providing beauty in the home landscape. Among t…

Among the 625 students who have qualified for graduation at Georgia Piedmont Technical College are two who have a special connection.

“The Liberal Democrats won a huge haul of more than 200 net seat gains.”

When the weather starts to warm up and gardens are planted, it is very tempting to go out every day and give your garden a small little drink of water, especially if it did not rain that day, but is that what is best for your garden? If not, what should you be doing instead? Let’s talk about it.

Cleveland, Ohio, is by all estimations on the rebound; however, like many of America's great industrial cities of the Midwest and Northeast, it was crippled by the industrial and jobs migration into the Southeast from the 1970s to the present day.

Perhaps no other words are so misused by churches than when Jesus says in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Too many preachers use this as an exclusive claim for Christianity: Accept Jesus, or go to hell!

Newton County is suspending sales of its Convenience Center Hang Tags temporarily in preparation for the new tags, which will be available beginning June 1.

A Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office deputy who had been indicted in connection with the heat-related deaths of his three dogs has been acquitted on all charges.

Six teenagers from Newton, Rockdale and Walton counties are the recipients of the Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. Beyond the Bar Scholarship.

COVINGTON — Local organizations are teaming up to offer the third annual Bike Rodeo at Legion Field in Covington on June 3, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. This free, family-friendly event is sponsored by Michelin Covington Plant, MG Law, and Golden State Foods.

Barksdale Elementary School pre-K teacher Kimberly Tomlinson has been named one of six finalists for Pre-K Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.