Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Wednesday's updates

 
What's ahead in Bartow County plus:

One dead, one shot, one in custody following Tuesday evening shootings:

-A broken relationship is the suspected breaking point in a Tuesday evening shooting that left a father dead and his daughter's ex-boyfriend jailed as a suspect in his murder.

-The victim is identified as John Gregory Davis, a maintenance employee of the Floyd County School System.  The suspect is identified as Tim Spriggs, who remains in custody. Spriggs attended Armuchee High and later played football for the Shorter Hawks for the program's first two seasons, friends and colleagues say.  Spriggs was due in class Tuesday night.

-Friends say Spriggs had dated Davis' daughter, also believed to be a Shorter cheerleader, but that the relationship soured.

-School Superintendent Lynn Plunkett says Davis, who did dry wall and related work for the school system, was a "great guy. Greg is absolutely among the best people I've ever known." At a staff meeting on Monday, Plunkett saluted those with November birthdays, including Davis and kidded him about his age. Believed to be in his early 40s, he claimed to be in his early 20s. Plunkett says she'll meet with his coworkers at 7 a.m. Wednesday as they report to work, adding that all have been called with news of his death.

. For WSB TV's report, click Channel 2.

-For WXIA's report, Channel 11.

Impact of Tuesday shootings reflected in emotional Facebook updates:

-As reports of the shootings played out on news Web sites Tuesday evening, another online source began to tell a collective of different stories about the murder of John Gregory Davis, the wounding of a second man and the capture of suspect Tim Spriggs.

-Throughout the evening and overnight, relatives, friends and coworkers of those involved posted updates and requests on Facebook.

-The first we was a warning about a shooting and police cars in the area.

-Then came sporadic posts about someone dead, another hospitalized and an arrest.

-The names of those involved slowly leaked out between posts, with more and more background added each time. The victim: beloved and a hero trying to protect his daughter. The suspect: an athlete who also served his country.

-They asked for prayers for a first cousin -- the murder victim -- and another relative also injured in the shootings.

-They wrote of a coworker loved by colleagues and supervisors.

-There were mug shots of those involved in the case harvested from Facebook accounts and put on Web sites.

-And overnight, more prayer requests, this time for the family of the suspect as well.

-Some would offer solemn comments to the posts or simple "like" signs to show support.

-Even Twitter was used, mostly for news updates including an early post from WXIA about shots fired in or near Rome and a crew on the way--and later the arrest update.

Wilson apparently lands at Macon bank: Eddie Wilson's departure as chief executive officer at River City Bank continues to be the lead topic among the financial community two weeks after we broke the story. Wilson is now listed as an employee with State Bank & Trust in Macon, a community he knows well from his SunTrust days.  State B&T

Up to 40 jobs cut at Perot Systems in Rome: Perot Systems' local office is laying off 29 full-time employees and up to 10 temporary workers, Hometown has learned. Corporate spokesman Joe McNamara says the reduction will occur by late January and will involve severance packages. The moves involve the linking of employee skill sets, he says, with some responsibilities being moves to other Perot locations. Also, the moves are expected to create "future growth for higher job skill levels" in Rome in coming months, McNamara said. The layoff comes just weeks after Perot Systems' Lincoln office idled 54 of 900 workers there (AP).

Remembering Jo Heyman: Jo Heyman, a devoted community activist and volunteer, died Tuesday morning following a short illness. She had celebrated her 80th birthday on Oct. 30. A wonderful salute to Jo's service to Chieftains appears in the museum's current newsletter (click Ridge Notes). A public memorial is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Darlington Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Rodeph Shalom Congregation, PO Box 425, Rome, GA 30162-0425, or to Heyman Hospice Care at Floyd, P.O. Box 163, Rome, 30162. Daniels Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (Click)

Latest forecast updates:

-Wednesday: High of 60, 20% rain chance. Low of 38.

-Thursday: Sunny, high of 64, Low of 36.

-Extended forecast> Click    Local radar  / regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable>Arey

- Wait just a minute before you anoint Kentucky as this year's top college basketball team.

John McClellan's picks for Friday's playoffs> Football Report

-Calhoun should continue to round three; Darlington could come up 7 points short.

Georgia High School Football Daily: Coaching change at Model> Click

Upcoming events at Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-First annual Wing Ding due Nov. 21.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

NAIA playoffs set with final two winners due in Rome for national football championship game on Dec. 19> NAIA

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