Brian Knapp
An award-winning writer and editor based in Social Circle, Brian Knapp has spent the last 25 years as a journalist. He grew up in Covington and graduated from Newton High School in 1996. Brian went on to serve as sports editor and managing editor of The Covington News before accepting a position as features editor for Sherdog.com, the largest mixed martial arts website in the world. His work has appeared on ESPN.com and FoxSports.com and in Real Fighter, ChopTalk, Ultimate MMA and Sports Spectrum magazines. Brian was named editor of The Newton Community Magazine in 2018. He married his wife, Holly, in 2001. They have two sons, Gehrig and Gibson.
Thoughts on an Empty Nest
God made me a father 18 years and almost eight months ago with the arrival of my firstborn son. Gehrig was six weeks early and spent six days in the
Artistic Travels
Art fascinates me. More specifically, the God-given talents of other people fascinate me. In his daily travels, Publisher Scott Tredeau stumbled upon the lion painting that serves as our cover
Where Eagles Soar
Newton High School alum Matt Easterday was inducted into the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame in October, forever immortalizing him as one of the most accomplished players in the
Ticket to Ride
A quarter of a century has passed since the 1999 Newton High School baseball team set out on a remarkable journey to the state semifinals, galvanized a community and made
When the Fates Align
Ben Reaves Jr. once starred on the gridiron at Newton High School but always believed he was meant to coach. Now at the controls of the powerhouse Milton program, the
In Memoriam: Nat Harwell
(April 18, 1951-Nov. 11, 2023) by Brian Knapp Men much wiser than me told us long ago that time was a thief. I’m not sure I agree. Seated at my
Brotherly Love
by Brian Knapp Luke Smith strikes an imposing figure from 60 feet, six inches away. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior spent his breakout 2023 campaign with the Social Circle High School
Picking Up the Pieces
John Bryant was bitten by the collector’s bug as a child, when his mother’s post-World War II-era figurines and the glimmer of precious metal caught his wandering eye. Decades later,
Guest Relations
Ron Carter shares a passion for his hometown with many of the 700,000-plus visitors who make Newton County a chosen destination on an annual basis. The Covington Welcome Center coordinator