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General Mills awards $200,000
arts-association
Arts Association of Newton County

A celebratory crowd shared laughs, heart-felt stories and good will at the General Mills Covington plant Thursday.

General Mills held its annual Community Partnership Council Grant Reception, awarding $200,000 in grants to 19 organizations in Newton, Walton and Rockdale counties.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” Covington Plant Manager Mark Bible said, before presenting the checks.

Organizations which received awards form General Mills supported a wide range of causes from helping the underprivileged, children, the arts and the hungry.

“It’s so humbling for all of is this room who wouldn’t have this opportunity without General Mills,” Covington Y Executive Director Louly Hay-Capp said. “Thank you.”

Each organization met Bible with a hug, and told the crowd what the award meant to them and explained what their organization did. All the recipients also shared smiles, with laughter and applause greeting everyone.

“We get a profound sense and feeling that this is our village,” Executive Director Bea Jackson said.

This is the 20th year General Mills has given back to its community, upping the award total from $150,000 to $200,000 two years ago.

“My mom would tuck me in at night and tell me that there were angels watching over me, and I always told her I wanted to see them,” Bible said. “I see them here today.”

Covington Police Deparment Awards Officer, Rookie, Employee of the Year Awards
Phillip Matthews acceptance
Sgt. Phillip Matthews accepting the 2024 Officer of the Year Award. Photo courtesy of Molly Rice Photography, CPD Facebook.

On Thursday, Feb. 2025, the Covington Police Department (CPD) honored the men and women who make up the CPD team at their annual awards ceremony. 

Awards included the 2024 Officer of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Top Gun. 

  • Officer Phillip Matthews received the 2024 Officer of the Year award.
  • Officer Jonathan Bruce received the 2024 Rookie of the Year award.
  • Officer Michael Ward received the 2024 Top Gun award.

The CPD also awarded the 2024 Departmental Employee of the Year recognitions to officers in their respective departments. To qualify, an employee must have been recognized as an Employee of the Quarter during 2024.

  • Sgt. Brandon Wilkerson received the Patrol Employee of the Year award.
  • Lt. Brian Shockley received the Support Services Employee of the Year.
  • Detective Christopher Bowles received the C.I.D. Employee of the Year award.

The CPD issued thanks to the award recipients, thanking them for their service.

“We are proud these gentlemen are members of the Covington Police Department and our CPD family. Congratulations officers and thank you for serving our community,” the CPD stated in a Facebook post.

The CPD also awarded Departmental Commendations, Meritorious Service Awards and 100 Club. As of press time, these award recipients have not been released, but they will be included in future editions of The Covington News.