Thursday updates

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Bartow County Schools closing early because of weather threat

(MR) Because of probable inclement weather conditions, the Bartow County School System will run an early release schedule on Thursday, Jan. 7.  Schools will be dismissed two hours early on Thursday.  The early release schedule will run as follows: 

-Pre-K at 11:35 a.m.

-Elementary at 12:20 p.m.

-Middle and High at 1:35 p.m.

-There will be no after school program on Thursday and a decision about athletic events on Thursday will be made after noon Thursday. A decision about Friday will be made as soon as possible on Thursday.  

>Please send us closing details here: E-mail

Cartersville schools plan to go full day on Thursday> Details

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY: NOON-MIDNIGHT TODAY

-Summary: A mixture of rain, sleet and snow is expected today beginning midafternoon with accumulations of a half To two inches possible. Also in the mix: Rain, sleet and perhaps freezing rain. An updated winter weather advisory for has been issued by the National Weather Service for Northwest Georgia. Details

FORECAST

-70% chance of rain, snow Thursday afternoon; 40% Thursday night.

-Today: A slight chance of snow between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime accumulation: less than a half inch.

- Tonight: A chance of snow, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 31. North wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Friday night: A slight chance of flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A slight chance of flurries. Partly cloudy, with a high near 34. North wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

-Extended forecast> Click  / Regional radar

-GEMA: 1/2 to 2 inches in our area;Chattooga could see more: The map below shows the Georgia Emergency Management snow prediction for Thursday afternoon and evening. Much of our market is in the half- to 2-inch zone.

ON THE ROAD

-From DOT/Roads could be an issue through weekend: A winter storm and below-freezing temperatures are likely to result in extremely hazardous driving conditions on Georgia roadways, perhaps well into the weekend in some areas. Snow accumulations are possible Thursday and Thursday night roughly north of a line from Columbus to Wilkes County. Anticipated below-freezing temperatures overnight may result in icing conditions that could be repeated Friday overnight.

-Tips: As the weather system enters their area, the public is strongly encouraged to refrain from all but necessary driving.  If driving is required, motorists should call 511 or visit   www.511ga.org for current information on road conditions. 

-If you must drive: Reduced speed, patience and extreme caution are urged at all times.  Drivers are advised to at least 100 feet behind and to not pass Georgia DOT equipment treating roadways.

-Check the DOT map as well (right)> Click

-AAA offers tips on storm travel conditions> Click

Health department to host express, senior flu shot clinics> Click

First incisionless surgery to treat heartburn performed at Cartersville Medical> Click

Health & Wellness Showcase vendor registration begins Friday at 8 a.m.: Vendor registration for the annual Health & Wellness Showcase 2010 begins at 8 a.m. Friday at the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce, 122 W. Main St., Cartersville. Vendors may select their booths on Friday but must bring a check or credit card to pay at that time. Regular booth prices are $275 for chamber members and $325 for prospective chamber members. A $50 discount is given to anyone purchasing booth space through Jan. 22 or if they offer attendees a screening. The theme is "2010 – Time to Begin: Take Charge of Your Body." The Health & Wellness showcase is set for 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at the Church at Liberty Square in Cartersville, where the expo has been held for several years. Business-to-business networking is set for 3 to 4 p.m. with the public welcome from 4 to 7 p.m. Sponsorships are available by e-mailing reception@cartersvillechamber.com or calling 770-382-1466 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more, including registration forms, please click Health & Wellness Showcase.

DOT schedules work on U.S. 41 at 293, railroad bridges: (Media release) The Georgia Department of Transportation is advising motorists in Bartow County of night lane closures on U.S. 41 at the bridges over Ga. 293 and the CSX Railroad tracks, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 11.   The right lane of U.S. 41 north and southbound at these locations will be closed every night from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m., to allow for work on repairing the bridge beams. The bridge beam repair is expected to take 6-8 days to complete. This bridge work and the lane closures it necessitates are weather permitting and subject to change.  For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our Web site (www.dot.ga.gov).

Woman's Expo set for March 27; proceeds assist Red Cross: The 2010 Women's Expo is March 27 at Cartersville Civic Center. Sponsorships are $250 to $2,000); partnerships are $25; and Exhibitor Booths are $175 to $200. For more information, e-mail Karon Mauney at karonmauney@comcast.net. Proceeds to benefit the local Red Cross chapter.

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-Upcoming American Red Cross blood drives in our area> Click

-Jan. 7: Cartersville City Council, 7 p.m. Hear it live on WBHF 1450 AM or Web cast here on Bartow Headlines (click)

-Jan. 9:  Frostbike 5K Benefits Chattahoochee Tech: This Annual 5K benefits Chattahoochee Technical College Athletics and takes place at the North Metro Campus on Saturday, January 9.  Pre-registration is open online through January 6 for $20.  Race-day registration is $25 cash or check only.  Participants receive a T-shirt and awards will be presented in various categories by age group. Visit www.frostbike5k.com for complete details.

-Jan. 25: Blood Assurance to open office in Cartersville: Look for the new Blood Assurance office in Cartersville at Collins Pointe shopping center (behind the new CVS) beginning Jan. 25. Doors open at10 a.m. A ribbon cutting ceremony is set for 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3. Blood Assurance also has an office in Rome at Midtown Crossing shopping center.

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Jan. 5, 2010, will go down in Georgia Tech athletic history as 'Black Tuesday'