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It's Good Friday!

City of Cartersville offices closed for Good Friday.

-Holy Week Services> Click

-Weekend forecast looks pretty good

*Red Flag Warning today from 2-8 p.m.> Details

-Friday: Sunny with high of 84.

-Friday night: Low of 54.

-Saturday: 30% rain chance, high of 76.

-Saturday night: 30% rain chance; 50 degrees.

-Sunday: Mostly sunny, high of 82.

-Extended forecast> Click  / Regional radar

United Community Banks, Inc. announced it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with Fletcher International, Ltd. United Community Bank, which has several local branches in North Georgia including Rome and Cartersville, has agreed to sell to the Purchasers $100 million of certain non-performing commercial and residential mortgage loans and other real estate owned properties with an aggregate sales price equal to the Bank's carrying value. The sale is scheduled to close on or before April 30, 2010> Release

The Georgia Senate passed the proposed Hospital Tax by a 31-15 vote. Gov. Sonny Perdue is counting on the tax to help balance Georgia's recession-ravaged fiscal 2011 budget. The 1.45 percent tax on net patient revenues would raise $163 million to help support a state Medicaid program hit with significant enrollment increases due to the recession. It now goes back to the House to vote> More

Berry College Alum Carlos Whitaker and his family have become latest YouTube sensation with more than 400,000 hits on their video. The Atlanta natives have received national attention including a feature on the CBS Early Show. Whitaker says he is using this opportunity to share the importance of adoption> Video

Dr. Benjamin Carson, world-renowned neurosurgeon, to speak at Berry College's next Gloria Shatto Lecture Series on April 22> Berry

Friday's Buzz: (get free e-mail updates by clicking here)

-The 2010 Rome Leadership Prayer Breakfast will be held on May 6 at 7am at The Forum. This year's speaker will be Dave Roever, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart Recipient. Complimentary tickets are available at Chick-Fil-A Dwarf House, Heaven's Attic and Kroger.> Details

-The Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) tp begin a summer-long paddle trip program this Saturday, April 3 on the Etowah River, providing canoe and kayak rentals and shuttle service for trips in Bartow and Floyd counties> CRBI

-Now online:  Georgia Trend's economic yearbook. Northwest Georgia's economic outlook is examined on pages 27-30, including a recap of current projects, the tennis center wish list, etc. Click Trend

-The Shorter College Chamber and Wind Ensemble will perform for the very first time on Friday, April 9, inside the college's Brookes Chapel> Shorter.

-Track today's Dow, other markets> Google Finance

Unity/Bank of the Ozarks, one week in:

As the first week of new ownership comes to an end, we take a closer look at the Bank of the Ozarks' immediate plans for the former Unity National Bank: -Troubled loans are being reviewed to determine 'best, ultimate resolution.'

-The bank is eager to loan money, to serve as an 'economic engine.'

-Unity's president and CEO has not been retained.

-Growth--locally and in the state--is a key goal.

-Ozarks' performance: 9 straight years of record profits; 28% 'Texas ratio.'

-For more, click Business.

-Georgia's success in regulating the operation of red light cameras in the state has gained international attention. Earlier this week, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville) traveled to Winnipeg, Manitoba where he was asked to speak to members of the Manitoba legislature on the success of House Bill 77, which was passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2008> Details

Politics/May 11 special elections

Three candidates qualify for House District 12 seat:  As of Wednesday's noon deadline, Rick Jasperse of Jasper and Truett Moss II of Calhoun, both Republicans, and Jerry Nally, a Rydal Democrat, had qualified with the secretary of state's office to seek the post vacated by Tom Graves>Updates (corrected)

-Eight qualify to seek U.S. House District 9 seat in May 11 election> Gordon Headlines

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-April 3: Car show set: Advance Auto Parts presents the Tom Clayton Memorial Car Cruise in downtown Cartersville from 5-8 p.m., featuring hourly giveaways, People's Choice Award and a DJ on site. $2 admission per classic car. Contact: Cartersville DDA, 770-607-3480. 2010 car cruise schedule includes these dates: May 1, June 5, July 3 and Aug. 7

-April 14: 'Local Goverment Expo' highlights 'energy to transform: A free lunch and giveaways are part of the program set for 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. by the fountain and in Friendship Plaza. Participating are: the City of Cartersville; Advocates for Children; Georgia Museums Inc.; Keep Bartow Beautiful; and the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce.

-April 15: Cartersville City Council, 7 p.m. Hear it live on WBHF 1450 AM or Web cast here on Bartow Headlines.

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey
- No reason to hate this Duke team. You might even find evidence to pull for the Blue Devils.