Mansfield Residents Mourn Owner of City Business 'Staple'
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CovNews.com See SPORTS, B1 Part IV of a Covington News series DA calls for P-Card investigation Newton County residents demand change in policy, seek justice in cases of alleged misuse By TAYLOR BECK agency “The records I have go Rule 3.8, McGinley said he [email protected] about certain into some of 2021, but I am could not make any public CATCH UP: COVINGTON, Ga. — records and not sure if they go all the comment that would “have This article District Attorney Randy requested an way through June of this a substantial likelihood of is the con- McGinley has requested investigation year,” McGinley said. “But, heightening public condem- clusion of state authorities investigate into certain if I need to get more recent nation” of anyone accused of a four-part Covington “certain” Newton County transactions.” records, I can easily do so. a crime. News series on P-cards, purchasing card (P-card) He said Randy “If this necessitates further “There are times when records. explaining their purpose the records McGinley action, then my office will do I will tell everyone that it and analyzing past spend- After he received copies would in- so,” he added. “It is not ap- would not be appropriate for of “certain” P-card records, ing records. Parts I, II and clude “cer- propriate for me to comment me to comment on whether III are available to read at McGinley told The Cov- tain P-card holder’s records beyond that at this point.” there is even an ongoing ington News he met with CovNews.com and on the covering 2020 and further Bound by Georgia Rules See P-CARD, A9 new Covington News app. “a state law enforcement back.” of Professional Conduct, Berry Tree Porterdale council taps Minnoia to among fill vacant seat By TOM SPIGOLON nation’s best [email protected] PORTERDALE, Ga. — Porter- Covington-grown tree earns dale City Council voted Thurs- day to fill its vacant Post 4 seat spot in Vice President’s home through the end of this year with a Christmas decorations former city plan- By TOM SPIGOLON ning committee [email protected] member. COVINGTON, Ga. — A Newton The council vot- County-grown Christmas tree will ed unanimously to adorn the Vice President’s official appoint Jill Min- residence in Washington, D.C., this noia to complete holiday season. the unexpired term of former longtime Jill A tree from Berry’s Tree Farm in Minnoia Covington was one of two Reserve councilman Mike Grand Champion award winners Harper, who re- in the 2021 National Christmas signed recently because of health Tree Contest in North Carolina on issues. Friday, Aug. 6. Council members agreed that National Christmas Tree Asso- only Minnoia expressed interest ciation (NCTA) members chose a in being appointed to serve the Leyland cypress tree from Berry’s remain four months in the term. for the award, owner Chuck Berry Minnoia has lived in Porter- said. dale since 2016 and served as a It was his first attempt at entering Porterdale Planning and Zoning a national Christmas tree competi- Committee member from 2017 to tion, Berry said. 2019. “It was truly an honor and some- She has worked more than 20 what of a surprise,” Berry said. Special to The Covington News years as an event manager and Chuck Berry of Berry’s Tree Farm in Covington stands with the Leyland cypress tree that See TREE, A8 was honored as a Reserve Grand Champion by the National Christmas Tree Association. See COUNCIL, A8 Mansfield residents mourn owner of city business ‘staple’ By TOM SPIGOLON for Sunday, Aug. 15, at 4 a regular customer, said Kenny Anderson [email protected] operated Roost- p.m. at J.C. Harwell and Son Anderson “was a fun-loving ers Drive Inn on MANSFIELD, Ga. — Funeral Home at 2157 East guy that enjoyed his patrons Main Street in Mansfield is mourning a St. in Covington. immensely.” businessman who turned a Mansfield. He His restaurant was known “He really enjoyed pro- one-room gas station into for a Southern-based menu viding dishes people found died Tuesday at a business anchor for this the age of 64. and entertainment schedule authentic and that tasted small town. that included singer-song- good,” he said. Special to Edward “Kenny” Ander- The Covington News writers and karaoke. Edwards said Roosters had son, owner and operator of Former Mansfield mayor become a Mansfield business Roosters Drive Inn restaurant Jefferson Riley said Ander- staple. in Mansfield, passed away son was “the epitome of an “Kenny will be missed,” early Tuesday. entrepreneur.” Edwards said. “Our thoughts Anderson, 64, had oper- “A true success story and a and prayers go out to Mi- ated the restaurant on the huge blessing to Mansfield,” chelle, his wife.” town’s main street, Georgia he said. Another area resident, Hwy. 11, since 2016. County Commissioner Memorial services are set Stan Edwards, who was See MOURN, A8 Volume 156, No. 65 Inside Weekend Weather Forecast Index Obituaries, A2 Sports, B1 Parents can track Saturday, Aug. 14 Sunday, Aug. 15 Opinions, A4 Classifieds, B2 High: 93° Low: 71° High: 86° Low: 70° students’ school bus Education, A10 Legals, B2 See EDUCATION, A10 • 40% chance of rain • 80% chance of rain SINCE 1865 Get breaking news updates, manage your subscription, place an advertisement and read the e-edition at CovNews.com A2 | Saturday-Sunday, August 14-15, 2021 News Newton murderer denied chance to appeal 2018 guilty plea By TOM SPIGOLON was denied an appeal Ken attorney that he wanted The Covington Police Malice Murder and [email protected] Wednesday in a New- Wynne to appeal before he no- Department reportedly Concealing the Death COVINGTON, Ga. ton County court nearly denied tified court officials he then did an intensive in- of Another and received — A Covington man three years after he was Ben- wanted a new attorney. vestigation and search. a life sentence. sentenced to life in pris- convicted of the crime. jamin Johnson was con- Johnson was identified He was incarcerated on for murder in 2018 Superior Court Judge Marcus victed of bludgeoning as a suspect and ar- Oct. 16, 2018, and now John- 62-year-old Michael rested later that day on resides in Johnson State son’s Benjamin Williams to death on charges of Felony Mur- Prison in Wrightsville, Social Circle request Johnson May 6, 2017, and set- der, Malice Murder, according to Georgia to ap- ting the homeless man’s Aggravated Assault, Department of Correc- peal his body on fire in some and Concealing the tions records. October 2018 convic- woods near Washington Death of Another. Johnson’s attorney, tion after hearing a Street and Old Brown Johnson ultimately Barbara Mattes, said Home Center prosecutor say he had Bridge Road to conceal pleaded guilty Oct. 5, not indicated to his trial the crime. 2018, to charges of See DENIED, A7 Serving Newton, Walton and the Surrounding 181 S. Cherokee St. Covington native serves as member of Navy’s ‘Silent Service’ counties Social Circle, GA 30025 SPECIAL TO THE NEWS are world. tic-missile submarines, since 1956 (770) 464-3354 [email protected] similar There are three basic often referred to as NORFOLK, Va. — to those types of submarines: “boomers,” serve as A Covington native found in fast attack submarines a strategic deterrent is serving in the U.S. Coving- (SSN), ballistic missile by providing an unde- Navy aboard USS New ton. submarines (SSBN) tectable platform for 2155 Pace Street #7 Hampshire, one of the “My and guided-missile sub- submarine-launched Covington, GA world’s most advanced family Lars marines (SSGN). ballistic missiles. nuclear-powered sub- taught Evans Fast attack subma- SSBNs are designed 678-314-6469 marines. me rines are designed to specifically for stealth, Petty Officer 2nd respect hunt down and destroy extended patrols and Class Lars Evans, a and understanding, enemy submarines and the precise delivery of EMAIL: [email protected] 2013 Eastside High good morals and surface ships; strike tar- missiles. Their design FB/INSTA: @covingtonnutrition • SNAPCHAT: @covnutrition School graduate, joined values, and these traits gets ashore with cruise allows the submarines the Navy over five helped me become a missiles; carry and to operate for 15 or years ago. better man and person deliver Navy SEALs; more years between “I wanted a change overall in and out of the carry out intelligence, major overhauls. of pace and a change of military,” said Evans. surveillance, and recon- Guided-missile lifestyle,” said Evans. Fast, maneuverable naissance missions; and submarines provide “I was in college but and technically ad- engage in mine warfare. the Navy with unprec- decided to pursue other vanced, submarines Their primary tactical edented strike and career opportunities are some of the most advantage is stealth, special operation mis- with the military.” versatile ships in the operating undetected sion capabilities from @Local. Coeehouse & Lounge According to Evans, Navy, capable of silent- under the sea for long a stealthy, clandestine @localonchurchst CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL the values required to ly conducting a variety periods of time.