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West Newton church to host two election-related events this week
Community forum, interviews with candidates planned for Tuesday and Thursday
St. Paul AME Church
St. Paul AME Church is at 13108 Brown Bridge Road in Covington. (Special | St. Paul AME Church)

COVINGTON, Ga. -- St. Paul AME Church and the Newton County NAACP are hosting public events on two different nights this week to learn about voters' top issues and to hear from candidates for Newton County offices.

The two organizations are planning a community forum Tuesday, April 19, at 7 p.m. to learn about public concerns that will be included in some questions for the candidates.

Then, on Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m., the church is planning a community forum and interviews with candidates for elected offices on the Newton County ballot. All local candidates have been invited, an organizer said.

Masks are required in the church building, a notice stated. 

To attend by Zoom, visit https://zoom.us with meeting ID 880 5546 5449 and passcode 346710, or phone 1-929-205-6099.

St. Paul AME Church is at 13108 Brown Bridge Road in Covington. For more information, call 770-786-7785.

City of Covington sued by ex-battalion chief months after termination
Covington Mayor Fleeta Baggett; City Manager Tres Thomas also named as defendants
covington lawsuit
(L-R) Kevin Whitley, Fleeta Baggett, Tres Thomas - photo by File Photos | The Covington News
COVINGTON, Ga. – The city of Covington, along with Mayor Fleeta Baggett and City Manager Tres Thomas have been sued by former Covington Fire Department (CFD) Battalion Chief Kevin Whitley. According to a 23-page civil complaint filed on Feb. 10 with the U.S. Northern District of Georgia Court, Whitley is seeking numerous reparations following his termination from the CFD on Sept. 16, 2024. Whitley was reportedly fired for violating fire department policy 1010.9 which references “sexual activity” and city policy 502.03#27 which prohibits “lewd, lascivious or indecent conduct that embarrassed or reflects poorly on the reputation of the city.” Whitley allegedly sent an explicit image of himself to an unnamed woman via a private communication channel. The image was later shown to outside parties, including Baggett and Thomas.
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