Thursday, September 30, 2010

New Adairsville manufacturer offers 50 jobs at Bartow career fair. What's ahead in Bartow County. 40% rain chance today.

 

Help wanted: Vista Metals Georgia job fair seeks 50 workers.

-At least 50 new jobs are tied to the $25 million investment Vista Metals Georgia is making in Adairsville. The Fontana, Calif.-based company purchased the former Foley Products Concrete plant at 800 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and has big plans for the region, according to Bartow economic development experts. On Oct. 9, the company will be working with the Georgia Department of Labor to recruit skilled workers. The job fair is set for 9 a.m. until noon at DOL's Cartersville Career Center, 19 Felton Place. Says the labor department: "A new company ... will be recruiting general helpers and supervisory candidates for their smelting operation. Job is very physical and requires working in extreme heat/cold." More on Vista: Details

-Veterans Career Expo next up, open to all: The Cartersville Career Center also will host a career expo from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Oct 14 at American Legion Post No. 42 at 1 Roosevelt St. Veterans and others are welcome. "Please come prepared for potential on-the-spot interviews," says the Department of Labor.

Dining & Drink

-How to start your own wine club: The wine lover who helped launch Cork Screw, Cork Dorks and Uncorked, Rome businessman Ed Hunt, has tips on how to start your own wine club. He recommends two options: A serious research-based club where members host parties examining specifics about certain wines and regions, or a social group that taps into wine tastings around the community. Michelle Picon reports. Please see Wine News Vine.

-Meet Ed Hunt: He owns a busy Rome-based computer company; helps coach volleyball at Darlington; performs in the band 'Broad & Third,' and shares his enthusiasm for fine wine with special wine classes in the community. Click

-Later today: Latest public health restaurant inspection scores.

Enrollment boom creates parking problems at CTC's North Metro Campus:

The surge in students in the Chattahoochee Technical College system is on record. At North Metro Campus alone, 3,856 students are enrolled this fall. That means some creative parking solutions for staff and students at the Acworth center. The Marietta campus, with 5,533 students, also is having some full parking lots and crowded classrooms. Previous update.

Flu shots available today: Bartow County Health Department is offering flu shots to everyone six months and older at the new Clarence Brown Conference Center from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. in Etowah Rooms I and II.  Free pneumonia shots for qualifying persons will also be available. Details

American Red Cross sets regional blood drive schedule. Click

Wednesday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Your latest forecast:

-Thursday: 40% chance of rain. High of 79, low of 53.

-Friday: A little cooler, high of 78, low of 47.

-Weekend snapshot: Middle 70s, upper 40s, some clouds.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

- Is the Big 10 serious? Who's worse, the ACC or the Big East? College sports in trouble.

John McClellan's high school picks for week 6. Click

-Coosa at Adairsville:  Adairsville wins by 8.

-Allatoona at Class AAA No. 10 Cartersville: Cartersville wins by 4.

-Northwest Whitfield at Cass:  Cass wins by 1.

-Woodland is off this week.

-Starting Friday: By popular demand, expanded high school scores.

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks  

-Hawks at home vs. Faulkner on Saturday.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click

-Oct. 16-17: Second Annual Softball Slam. Details

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert. Details

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Bartow flu shots today, Thursday. Northwest Georgia's buzz. Weather in a word: Beautacious.

Regional Buzz. Click Hometown

-Moonlight on the rise: The Moonlight Restaurant is open in West Rome at 1818 Redmond Circle, the former spot of Down South Country Cooking in Rome...Put on hold by a fire several months ago, the Wendy's at 711 Martha Berry Blvd. is close to reopening... Which brings us to Waffle House at 601 Turner McCall: We got several answers on the fate of the store near Floyd Medical Center from "they haven't decided yet" to "that's a good question." It also had fire damage. Calls are in, too.

-Opi's Roadhouse is getting close at Ga. 53 & 140:  This is an excellent example on Facebook on how to keep fans interested as the opening of Opi's Roadhouse draws closer. A late September opening was planned. The original also was damaged by fire. (Latest photo, right)

-This Bud's for you... and you ... and: Rome is among the communities taking part in Anheuser-Busch's "Grab Some Buds" campaign, seeking to put a head on the stale sales of the flagship brew, Budweiser. Details. Included is the company's first National Happy Hour set for 5 tonight across the nation. Look for the Rome party to start at 333 on Broad and then move to other spots throughout downtown. Restaurants also are serving Bud specials this week, including two-for-one Buds or discounted draughts (Johnny's).

Flu shots available for seniors today, for all on Thursday: Bartow County Health Department is offering flu shots at a special drive-through clinic at the Senior Citizens Center on Zena Drive Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. for people 65 and over and for those who have difficulty walking.  People over 65 who have not yet received a pneumonia shot can get a free pneumonia shot at the same time.  On Thursday, Sept. 30, the health department will be offering flu shots to everyone six months and older at the new Clarence Brown Conference Center from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. in Etowah Rooms I and II.  Free pneumonia shots for qualifying persons will also be available. Details

Tuesday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 79, low of 54.

-Thursday: Clear and sunny. High of 80, low of 53.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Just a friendly suggestion but Bulldog fans should back off Mark Richt.  

John McClellan's high school picks for week 6. Click

-Coosa at Adairsville:  Adairsville wins by 8.

-Allatoona at Class AAA No. 10 Cartersville: Cartersville wins by 4.

-Northwest Whitfield at Cass:  Cass wins by 1.

-Woodland is off this week.

-Starting Friday: By popular demand, expanded high school scores.

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks  

-Hawks at home vs. Faulkner on Saturday.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click

-Oct. 16-17: Second Annual Softball Slam. Details

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert. Details

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Storms, rain end Bartow's string of 90s. Profile: Ed Hunt, Rome's busiest man. John McClellan's football picks.

 

Weather/Severe end to 48 hours of storms, rain:

-The storms that that swept through Northwest Georgia Monday evening brought an end to what seemed like days of rain -- and a bit of hail. While up to three inches was predicted, Cartersville finished with 1.19 inches on the ground. The good news: The cold front brought more seasson temperatures to the area, ending a sizzling string of 90s. More weather below.

John McClellan's high school picks for week 6. Click

-Coosa at Adairsville:  Adairsville wins by 8.

-Allatoona at Class AAA No. 10 Cartersville: Cartersville wins by 4.

-Northwest Whitfield at Cass:  Cass wins by 1.

-Woodland is off this week.

-Starting Friday: By popular demand, expanded high school scores.

Flu shots available for seniors Wednesday, for all on Thursday: Bartow County Health Department is offering flu shots at a special drive-through clinic at the Senior Citizens Center on Zena Drive Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. for people 65 and over and for those who have difficulty walking.  People over 65 who have not yet received a pneumonia shot can get a free pneumonia shot at the same time.  On Thursday, Sept. 30, the health department will be offering flu shots to everyone six months and older at the new Clarence Brown Conference Center from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. in Etowah Rooms I and II.  Free pneumonia shots for qualifying persons will also be available. Details

Ed Hunt, Rome's busiest man?

His passions: Family, business, volleyball, piano, fine wine

edhunt

-Ed Hunt (right) owns a busy Rome-based computer company; helps coach volleyball at Darlington; performs in the band 'Broad & Third,' and shares his enthusiasm for fine wine with special wine classes in the community. How does he do it all? By following a simple code: 'Whatever it takes.' Read Michelle Picon's latest Hometown Profile. Clicking here.   

Business Buzz

-Ansel Adams exhibit, Smithsonian Ansel AdamsMuseum Day mean big weekend for Booth:The Booth Western Art Museum pulled off a huge double-header Saturday, with the opening of the expansive Ansel Adams' exhibit (here through Feb. 20) and the annual Smithsonian Museum Day (print a free ticket to participating museums). By the numbers: 604 'Museum Day' guests and an overall attendance Saturday of 1,245. Sunday was one of the best "non-event" days: 191 guests.

-Braid Divas opens at Mount Berry Square: 'Corn rows, extensions, dreads, weaves' among shop specialties; also wigs and weaves for cancer patients. Doors open at 10 a.m. Friday across from Victoria's Secret. Mount Berry

-Dolan named general manager of Mount Berry Square. Business

Another record enrollment for Chattahoochee Tech; North Metro at 3,871 students. Click

Monday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Your latest forecast:

-Tuesday: High of 77, low of 49.

-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 81, low of 54.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-What the hell is going on and other assorted thoughts in college football? 

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks  

-Hawks at home vs. Faulkner on Saturday.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click

-Oct. 16-17: Second Annual Softball Slam. Details

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert. Details

Monday, September 27, 2010

Another record enrollment for Chattahoochee Tech; North Metro at 3,871 students alone

(Media release) Fall Quarter at Chattahoochee Technical College doesn't begin until later this week, but the state's largest technical college is on the verge of yet another quarter of record enrollment. As of Sept. 27, approximately 13,470 students were set to begin their first day of classes this Wednesday. That is well above last fall's enrollment number of around 11,515 students at a growth rate of almost 17 percent.

With seven campuses currently, the college's most popular locations are its Marietta campus with 5,581 enrolled students and its North Metro campus at 3,854 students. However, online classes seem to be a preferred option with 4,237 students enrolled in at least one online class. That marks a 43 percent increase over last year's 2,955 online students. Other campuses experiencing a large growth trend are Paulding and Woodstock's campuses, which each almost doubled in size.

Appalachian Campus 947

Austell Campus 367

Marietta Campus 5,604

Mountain View Campus 1,107

North Metro Campus 3,871

Online Course 4,250

Paulding Campus 1,531

Woodstock Campus 657

Appalachian Technical College, North Metro Technical College and Chattahoochee Technical College merged on July 1, 2009 making the college the largest technical college in the state of Georgia and the ninth largest postsecondary school in the state. The college has experienced double digit increases in enrollment every quarter since the merger.

Flu shots available this week fro bartow County Health Department

Media release: We're trying to make it easier and more convenient than ever to get your flu shot this year, said Bartow County Health Department Nurse Manager Cathy Green.  According to Green, the health department will be offering flu shots at a special drive-through clinic at the Senior Citizens Center on Zena Drive Wednesday, September 29, from 8:30 AM to 1 PM, for people 65 and over and for those who have difficulty walking.  People over 65 who have not yet received a pneumonia shot can get a free pneumonia shot at the same time. 

 

On Thursday, September 30, the health department will be offering flu shots to everyone six months and older at the new Clarence Brown Conference Center from 8:30AM to 6:00PM in Etowah Rooms I and II.  Free pneumonia shots for qualifying persons will also be available.

  

The flu shot will cost $20; Medicare, Medicaid, cash, check and credit card will be accepted as well as Wellcare, Amerigroup, PeachState and State Employee Insurance (UHC and CIGNA).  

 

"In October and November, the health department will offer free flu shots to students at each school in the Cartersville City School System, the Bartow County School System and Excel Christian Academy.  A schedule is being developed, and parents will be notified of this opportunity," Green said.

 

"We're encouraging everyone over six months of age to get a flu shot as soon as possible this year," Green emphasized.  "Getting a flu shot is the single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting the flu."  Green noted the flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be the most common this season, including H1N1, the so-called "swine flu" that was prevalent last year. Green also stressed that people who get a flu shot now will still have protection against influenza well into next spring. 

 

According to Green, people at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 and older.  People who live with or care for someone who is high risk or people who care for children younger than 6 months of age should be vaccinated to help protect the high risk and very young as well.

 

For more information about flu shots, contact the Bartow County Health Department at 77o-382-1920.  For more information about flu, go to www.cdc.gov/flu

Cartersville High in latest high school rankings. Bartow gets 1.13 inches of rain since Saturday; more due. Rome's Multimillion-dollar Mile

 
The Buzz of Northwest Georgia. Click

-Greater Rome's 'Multimillion-dollar Mile.' The additions and upgrades along Turner McCall from Broad Street to Martha Berry have been nothing short of huge with even more on the way. Hometown Headlines' Natalie Simms takes a closer look at what's in the ground and what's on the drawing board.

-Also on this week's Buzz: Sipping for a cause at Rome Symphony's Fine Wine Festival Nov. 14. Plus: Peaks & Valleys: Shorter career fair; Redmond's old drugs roundup.

The updated forecast: More rain; cooler days.

-Since midnight Saturday: 1.13 inches of rain.

-Monday: 90% rain chance. High of 72, low 51.

-Tuesday: Sunny, high of 76, low of 51.

-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 80, low of 53.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Cartersville, Calhoun, Darlington in latest high school rankings. Football

-Rome loss among website's 'most surprising.'

Sunday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Geralyn Rapp of Emerson is Georgia Work Ready's latest Job Seeker of the Month through an initiative that recognizes the hard work and determination of Georgia Work Ready job seekers to validate their core job skills and improve their job prospects. Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey
-I hate to tell you this but after four weeks, things are about where they should be.

John McClellan's high school picks. McClellan  

-Week six picks due Tuesday morning.

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks  

-Hawks at home vs. Faulkner on Saturday.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click

-Oct. 16-17: Second Annual Softball Slam. Details

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert. Details

Multimillion-dollar Mile: Key stretch of Turner McCall Boulevard booms in past five years with much more on the drawing board

This rendering from Ledbetter Properties shows what could be on the way for the

'duck pond' at the intersection of Turner McCall and Riverside Parkway if environmental concerns can be hurdled. The company's deadline with the city: Dec. 31, 2011.


By Natalie Simms
nsimmshh@att.net


In the past five years, one mile along Turner McCall Boulevard, between Broad Street and Martha Berry, has seen more changes and new construction than any other in Northwest Georgia. And as the strip continues to boom with the opening of Steak N Shake, it's seems there's more to come as new developments continue to pick up steam.


It seems it all started with the widening of Riverside Parkway over to the Bypass, which opened up more areas for development. RiverWalk rose from what was an old car dealership. It has been pretty popular with Olive Garden, Starbucks and Shane's Rib Shack. The strip has all but two spots filled -- a 1,200-square-foot space at the end of the row of shops and the empty pad out front that was the original spot for Rome's Steak N Shake. (Photo below)


Just across the Oostanaula is River Center, which saw a huge chunk of the old Ramada Inn (now Country Hearth) removed to allow for Santa Fe Cattle Co. and a strip center that is now home to Firehouse Subs and Blue Fin restaurant as well as a few other clients.


Click on image to view larger image. And then, construction started down on the corner of Broad and Turner McCall with the Verizon Wireless building rising in the spot that was Massey's Jewelry. This was followed by construction of the Dempsey Lord Smith (DLS) Financial Center across the street at 901 Broad St.


"That building has an absolutely gorgeous view, something like you would find in Atlanta," says Jimmy Kelley, leasing agent with Hardy Realty for DLS Financial. "We've put some fine tenants in that building but there is still plenty of space available."

On Friday, a construction crew was putting the final touches on prime office space for architect Mark Cochran.


The building, constructed in 2007, has 38,000 square feet with approximately 25,000 square-feet currently available, according to LoopNet. Kelley feels things are only going to bloom with the new construction of Steak N' Shake and soon-to-be open Star Cleaners No. 2 at 1000 Turner McCall Blvd.

"Everything's picking up," he says. "It's been slower in the past couple years, but the Village Plaza is a great example of what can happen. Now that Steak N Shake is open, others like Applebee's can only benefit. Their (Applebee's) manager told me they can actually feel it getting better."


Even a rainy Sunday didn't dampen the demand for Steak N Shake just after noon.

Hardy Realty is the leasing agency for the Village Plaza and Kelley says he would like to see the re-opening of the Village Theatres. "I have talked to theater management in hopes of getting them to re-open and work with the restaurants … if they all cooperated and offered coupons for each other's services, it would be great all around."


But as of right now, the theaters are taking a "wait and see" approach. Robin Miller, the Rome-based theater group's general manager, recently told Hometown Headlines that "we have no real plans right now" for the dark screens. That includes MB's, which had been doing comedy on the first Saturday each month. "We want to see what happens," she says. The theater fills about half of the strip center, which also includes Ward's Pharmacy, Initially Twisted and Subway.


Closer to Martha Berry, construction is progressing on The Specialty Hospital, the new $22 million facility in front of Floyd Medical Center. It is being built on the site of the former physician parking lot on Floyd's campus.


"We are looking at a completion date around the first of the year, and opening for patients the first of February," says Susan Stovall, CEO of The Specialty Hospital. "It is a brand new 45-bed long-term, acute care facility for those patients who need an acute care facility averaging a 25-day hospital stay."

This photograph from the fourth floor of the physicians building at Floyd Medical Center on Thursday, looking toward Turner McCall Boulevard, shows how some cleanup is continuing at the former Hight Homes site.

And who can ignore what has become a major eye-sore in town, the demolition of the former Hight Homes at the corner of TMB and North Fifth Avenue. While the demolition continues to extend past its deadline, Madison Retail, LLC, continues to move forward with their development plans of Charles Hight Square. (Click)


The development also would be anchored by a proposed Publix, Madison officials tell city leaders. But as late as Friday afternoon, Brenda Reid, the grocer's regional spokeswoman, said there was no contract on a Rome location.

In addition, the project calls for five other buildings on the property totalling 63,310 square-feet including a medical office, bank and retail shops. For now, people just want the mess cleaned up.


One other property with huge potential is the duck

pond at the corner of Turner McCall and Riverside Parkway across from RiverWalk. The 60-acre site has been dubbed Rome's Central Park by those seeking to prevent development and preserve the wetlands and floodplain area. But Ledbetter Properties continues to move forward with their plans for the property.


According to Sammy Rich, assistant city manager, the Ledbetters have a memorandum of understanding with the city for the property through Dec. 31, 2011. Reports state more than $1 million has been invested by the Ledbetters as they continue to conduct extensive testing on the site, which includes an abandoned city landfill, about four acres of wetlands and Burwell Creek.


"They have received a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to relocate Burwell Creek," says Rich, right. "From the city's perspective, we'd love to see the property cleaned up and the old landfill closed. But the Ledbetters are doing their due diligence, so we'll just wait and see."


The development plans call for filling nearly 50 acres of a 100-year floodplain and remediating the landfill on the site by capping the area and relocating nearly a half mile of Burwell Creek. The Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) has details of the environmental impact of the project on its website. (click)


City Commissioner Buzz Wachsteter believes the property can only improve the city's economy. "When this is built, it will be a real economic shot in the arm for Rome.  Not only will it put that property back on the tax rolls, it will bring in new businesses, which means jobs."


But for now, the Ledbetters have more than a year to decide to do with the site.


And one final property still on the market is 844 Turner McCall Blvd., home of the old Hyundai car dealership. Owned by John Welborn, the property has been a source of zoning disagreements for the past several years.


Sue Hiller, planning director, says the property is zoned Commercial Community which would allow restaurants, gas stations, retail, etc. However, two years ago, Welborn did seek to rezone the property to heavy commercial for an auto paint and body shop. This rezoning eventually was denied and the proposed body shop found another home.


With Star Cleaners No. 2 opening next door in the former Midas Shop on Oct. 9, the real estate is a prime spot among lots of redevelopment. Look for a tenant to soon join that site as well.

Even with millions of dollars of upgrades and updates already completed, the focus now turns to what's next for Turner McCall's Million(s) Dollar Mile.

Three-Dot Buzz . . . :  

Nov. 14/Sipping for a cause: The Rome Fine Wine Festival is from 3 until 6 p.m. at The Forrest Building Ballrooms at 436 Broad St. This event will feature wines from around the world as well as from local restaurants and caterers. Tickets are $50 in advance or $60 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at Kroger, Provino's, Riverside Gourmet, World Hi Fi and the Visitors Center. Each guest receives a complimentary Riedel glass. A patrons' party will be held from 1 until 3 p.m. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Greg Fricks. Private sommeliers with high-end wines will serve guests at this private tasting. Individual tickets are $85 per person. All proceeds benefit the Rome Symphony Orchestra. Restaurants and caterers include Coosa Country Club, Harvest Moon Cafe, Meals on Heels, Panera Bread, Provino's Italian Restaurant, The Greener Burger, The Olive Garden, Two Can Do and WOW Cafe & Wingery. Details: 706-291-7967 or www.romesymphony.org.

 

PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs, lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to Shorter University and the career fair partners:

-The Northwest Georgia/Shorter University Job and Career Fair at The Forum last Thursday was a hit. More than 1,500 job-seekers were there and perhaps several hundred of them left with excellent employment prospects, thanks to the 70-plus vendors on site. This is exactly what the community needs: A proactive event designed to help fill existing vacancies with an ample labor pool--plus perhaps some breaks on future openings.

Peak to Redmond Regional, Clean Rivers for Rome Medication Drop:

-More took 300 pounds of medications, sharps and needles were collected in the second round-up of old medications. Saturday's event was part of Operation Pill Drop, a national push by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Safe Kids of Georgia to keep homes safe and medications out of the wrong hands.  The medications will be destroyed by the DEA. Here's hoping it continues to be a semi-annual event in Northw

Friday, September 24, 2010

Emerson's Geralyn Rapp Named Work Ready's Job Seeker of the Month

 

 

Media release – Geralyn Rapp of Emerson is Georgia Work Ready's latest Job Seeker of the Month through an initiative that recognizes the hard work and determination of Georgia Work Ready job seekers to validate their core job skills and improve their job prospects.

"Searching for employment can be a daunting process so we developed Job Seeker of the Month to highlight Georgians who have had success," said Governor Perdue. "Work Ready provides job seekers with an additional tool to help them stand out among other applicants. It also builds confidence by alerting job seekers to their strengths and giving them the opportunity to work on areas that need improvement through skills gap training." 

Rapp was laid off in May 2009 from the engineering company where she had worked for 12 years. After completing more than 90 job applications with little results, Rapp found out about Georgia Work Ready through a local Department of Labor career center and signed up for the assessment.

"As I completed the assessment, I remember feeling so happy that my brain was still functional," said Rapp. "But when the proctor told me I earned a gold certificate, I was elated. It was the push I needed to rebuild my self-confidence."

Rapp's confidence was boosted by her high Work Ready score and the new outfit she purchased with the $100 incentive she received for earning her certificate. Two months after becoming Work Ready certified, Rapp was offered a position as a career advisor at the Cartersville Department of Labor.

Each month, www.gaworkready.org features a success story of how earning a Work Ready Certificate has improved a job seeker's confidence and availed him or her with new employment opportunities. Certificate holders are encouraged to visit the website to share stories about their success with Work Ready certification and skills gap training in their search for better job opportunities. Featured Work Ready individuals will receive a $100 pre-paid incentive card in recognition of their hard work.

Since January, 18,419 unemployed Georgians have become Work Ready Certified and at least 3,782 have found jobs.

Georgia's Work Ready initiative is based on a skills assessment, certification and skills gap training for job seekers and a job profiling system for businesses. By identifying both the needs of business and the available skills of Georgia's workforce, the state can more effectively generate the right talent for the right jobs.

For more information on the Work Ready initiative, please visit www.gaworkready.org 

 



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Bartow deputies make arrest made in Adairsville bank robbery. Friday night football previews. What's ahead in Bartow County

 

Bartow County Sheriff's deputies arrested a suspect in the robbery of the Renasant Bank branch in Adairsville Thursday afternoon. According to Sheriff Clark Millsap, patrol deputies spotted Darrieus Turner, 28, of Decatur, driving a gold Mercedes on I-75 southbound at about 4:20 p.m. As deputies pursued Turner, he exited the interstate at Ga. 20, turned onto a service road next to the Cracker Barrel, and then drove until the road ended. Turner fled on foot but was captured at about 5:40 p.m. near Tellus Science Museum on U.S. 411.

-Thursday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

The nonprofit National Fire Protection Association is promoting "Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!" as the theme for this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign, Oct. 3-9.  NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for 88 years, and the City of Cartersville Fire Department supports the campaign. Details 

We've got us a convoy... of VW Jettas?

Motorists on I-75 in Bartow County on Thursday did a double-take after spotting a fleet of VW Jettas cruising north toward Chattanooga. What's up: Volkswagen is holding a VW Dealers Conference at the Georgia International Conference Center, near Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. On Thursday, the conference went mobile: 800-plus newly designed VW Jettas made the trip from Atlanta to the automaker's new Chattanooga plant to take a tour. 

The Cass High School Class of 1980 is having its 30th Class Reunion on Saturday Nov. 6, at Hilton Garden Inn in Cartersville.  The event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person.  For more information, check the class Facebook page or e-mail us at chs1980reunion@hotmail.com.

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-Sept. 24: Bartow Business Connection will meet at Hilton Garden Inn from 4 p.m. until Midnight. This is a "drop in" event, so you can stay five minutes, an hour, or the entire evening.

-Sept. 25: Booth's Ansel Adams exhibit opens: The Booth Western Art Museum in downtown Cartersville welcomes its largest temporary exhibition yet with Ansel Adams: A Legacy Details

-Sept. 25/The Cartersville Police Department is sponsoring 'Operation Pill Drop' from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the police department. This event gives the public the opportunity to safely dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription and OTC medications. Details

Latest public health restaurant inspection scores: The peaks and valleys of restaurant health scores from Northwest Georgia. Scores range from a 45 in Calhoun and 58 in Rome to 100s in Bartow and Chattooga counties. Dining

-On Hometown Headlines: New Mexican restaurant coming to Central Plaza. Click

-Plus: New Mellow Mushroom applies for alcohol-pouring license.

John McClellan's High School picks. McClellan  

-HSD Panthers v. Unity Christian School at Cartersville. UCS gets first win.

-Woodland at Forsyth Central. Narrow win for Colonels. (Hear it live on WBHF 1450 AM Friday night and webcast on Bartow Headlines. Includes pregame, scoreboard shows)

-Who's off this week: Calhoun, Cartersville, Armuchee, Pepperell, Adairsville, Cedartown and Rockmart.

Your latest forecast:

-Friday: More sun, high of 92, low of 64; 20% rain chance.

-Saturday: High of 89, low of 66. 30% chance of rain.

-Sunday: Finally, fall! High of 79, low of 64. 70% rain chance.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey  

-Norman's No-Nos: Does Alabama see its hopes shattered? Might be a tough weekend for Notre Dame

AP Top 25 College Football. Click

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks  

-Home opener 1:30 p.m. Saturday vs. Georgetown, Ky., Barron Stadium.

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-Oct. 16-17/Rome Braves to host Second Annual Softball Slam. Braves

-Next: April 7 vs. Hagerstown. Check for events at State Mutual Stadium.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Nearly 17,000 Northwest Georgians jobless last month. Bartow unemployment rate at 11.1%. Career fair today at The Forum in Rome.

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

Nearly 17,000 Northwest Georgians without jobs last month

-Shorter career fair today offers some jobs; could draw 2,500-plus

August employed

August

unemployed

August

% jobless

July percent

unemployed

Aug. 2009 % jobless
Bartow
39,929
5,005
11.1%
11.0%
12.5%
Chattooga
9,019
1,390
13.4%
11.7%
12.0%
Floyd
43,869
5,322
10.8%
10.5%
10.9%
Gordon
21,524
3,079
12.5%
12.4%
13.1%
Polk
18,280
2,149
10.5%
10.3%
10.8%
State
4,201,647
484,776
10.3%
10.2%
10.0%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

Another 340 Northwest Georgians were without jobs in August, an increase that many predicted as the effects of two plant closures--Pierre Foods in Rome and Mohawk's spun yard plant in Cartersville--began to hit. Those shutdowns idled nearly 600.

-Some 16,945 people were jobless last month compared to 16,605 in July, according to Georgia Department of Labor reports. The jobless rate climbed from July to August in all five counties. Decreases were reported in Bartow and Gordon counties compared to August 2009 while only slight drops in Floyd and Polk counties. Chattooga's jobless rate climbed to 13.4 percent vs. 12 percent a year earlier.

-Statewide, 70,264 laid-off workers filed initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits in August, an increase of 2,175, or 3.2 percent, from 68,089 in July. Most of the first-time claims were filed in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, administrative and support services, and construction. Expanded statewide look. Click

-Today/The Northwest Georgia/Shorter University Job and Career Fair is at The Forum from 1 until 5 p.m. The career fair has 75 vendors signed up; at least 2,500 job-seekers are expected. Free parking available.Details

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-Sept. 23: Chamber's Business After Hours, Thursday, 5 until 7 p.m., sponsored by Reinhardt University at The Resource Center, 1 N. Gilmer St., Cartersville. RSVP: Martha Macon, 770-382-1466

-Sept. 24: Bartow Business Connection will meet at Hilton Garden Inn from 4 p.m. until Midnight. This is a "drop in" event, so you can stay five minutes, an hour, or the entire evening.

-Sept. 25: Booth's Ansel Adams exhibit opens: The Booth Western Art Museum in downtown Cartersville welcomes its largest temporary exhibition yet with Ansel Adams: A Legacy. Details

-Sept. 25/The Cartersville Police Department is sponsoring 'Operation Pill Drop' from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the police department. This event gives the public the opportunity to safely dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription and OTC medications. Details

The Grand Theatre to host a Youth Musical Theatre Workshop on Stage Presence from Oct. 4-Nov. 8 for ages 7-16. Cost is $75. Details

Wednesday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Dining

-Steak N Shake gets great opening-day crowd in Rome, national attention, too: Big crowds, long lines and, for the most part, a lot of satisfied people following Steak N Shake's first full day in Rome. Click Facebook

-Rome opening draws attention from several restaurant websites. Click

-Opening ceremonies, great deals and what's next. Dining

-So about that original Steak N Shake location at RiverWalk. . . : Perhaps forgotten in all of Wednesday's grand-opening celebration was the original site of Steak N Shake, the pad at RiverWalk, home of Shane's, Las Palmas, Olive Garden, Starbucks and some shops. Local retail developers say $6,000 a month in "rent" is coming in from the original S-N-S deal that went bust. The curbing is cut but only weeds are on the site. What should go on that pad? Just about every popular genre of food already is within a two-block radius: Italian, barbecue, Mexican, burgers, chicken, steak, sushi, even subs--times two. Perhaps a bank branch? An outdoors shop that ties in with Ridge Ferry's activities? A new cell phone spot, even though one already has closed at RiverWalk? Keep watching.

-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores: The peaks and valleys of restaurant health scores from Northwest Georgia. Scores range from a 45 in Calhoun and 58 in Rome to 100s in Bartow and Chattooga counties. Dining

Thursday's Buzz

-Keep on truckin': To help celebrate Truck Driver Appreciation Week, the Roadside Medical Clinic+Lab at the Pilot Travel Center in Cartersville is offering free health screenings for the 18-wheeler set. It includes blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass and other checks. Details

-Tonight/Floyd County Republican Women set first debate for general election: It is set for 7 to 9 p.m. at the Etowah Senior Citizens Center on Kingston Highway. Democratic and GOP candidates for four local races are invited: County Commission Post 4; House districts 13 and 14; and Senate District 52.

Tonight's harvest moon a rarity:

-One of the biggest, brightest full moons of the year is due tonight. A check of the science sites shows it is rare to have a full moon fall so close to the start of autumn (11:09 p.m. Wednesday). Tonight's moon rise is at 7:29 p.m. How the big night is being honored:

- Pine Mountain Moonlight Hike tonight. Details

-The Coosa River Basin Initiative offers a Harvest Moon paddle on the Coosa River from downtown Rome to Lock and Dam Park. CRBI

-And, naturally, at Harvest Moon on Broad Street, Scott Thompson will play ... at The Moon Roof Bar beginning at 9 p.m.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Cartersville Medical Center Named to Highest Quality Category on GHA Honor Roll

(Media release)  Cartersville Medical Center in Cartersville, GA has been named to the Georgia Hospital Association's (GHA) Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) Quality Honor Roll. Cartersville Medical Center is one of 20 hospitals in Georgia to be placed in the Chairman's category, the highest on the list. The honor roll is based on clinical data provided by the federal Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), which administers the nation's Medicare and Medicaid programs. The data was collected from April 2009 to March 2010.

 

"This is a great accomplishment for Cartersville Medical Center," said Joseph Parker, president of GHA. "This recognition further underscores the commitment of the Cartersville Medical Center staff to ensuring that every patient receives the best, most effective health care possible."

 

All acute care hospitals are required to submit care data to CMS. This data details how well a hospital's caregivers adhere to a list of eight Appropriate Care Measures (ACM), which are the clinical processes of care that are known to be the most effective methods of treatment for patients who have suffered heart attacks, heart failure or pneumonia. The ACM is a composite measure that determines whether or not a patient received the right care at the right time.

 

For instance, a recommended treatment to help prevent a heart attack is to take aspirin either before or upon arrival at the hospital, as well as at discharge. A suggested treatment for pneumonia is to administer an antibiotic within four hours of a patient's arrival. A hospital's adherence to these recommended clinical practices usually leads to better outcomes.

 

"It is our mission to ensure that each of our patients receives the right care at the right time and this recognition validates this," said Keith Sandlin, chief executive officer of Cartersville Medical Center. "This honor is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our staff who are constantly working to make excellent care even better."

 www.cartersvillemedical.com.

Cartersville ties high temperature record, 97, on Tuesday. Popcorn Haven due 'second week of October.' Rome's Steak N Shake opens today.

 

We missed the record high by one degree:

-Cartersville's high on Tuesday, 97, tied the record set on Sept. 21, 2006. Rome's official high was 98 degrees, one shy of the 99 set on Sept. 21, 1955. Fall begins tonight but expect low 90s through Saturday. Weather below

Popcorn Haven's Cartersville location should be poppin' mid-October: That's the latest estimate as of Tuesday--"second week of October." The shop is in the strip center off Main Street next to Kohls. Click

Keep an eye on Turner McCall traffic as Steak N Shake opens today:

-Get ready for an extra dose of the "Turner McCall Crawl" today as Steak N Shake opens following the 10 a.m. ribbon cutting. Riverside Parkway into downtown Rome might be an option, with a hard left at Broad Street; or else a shot through downtown to Second Avenue.

-Also track updates via Steak N Shake's Facebook page or Twitter account.

Latest notes on Shorter's career fair Thursday at The Forum (1-5 p.m.)

-From the state Department of Labor: "The career fair will feature about 75 employers, educational institutions, and resource agencies that provide assistance to job seekers. Labor department staff members will be on hand to provide assistance with resume writing... Computers will be provided... for job search and application completion. Some employers will be hiring. Applicants should bring multiple copies of resumes and be prepared to fill out company applications and interview for available jobs." Click / Career fair highlights

-Thursday's downtown parking for career fair: Free parking will be available inside the Third Avenue parking deck in non-reserved spaces; at Heritage Park; and at the Barron Stadium and Trailhead parking lots (From Shorter).

Cartersville man charged with parts theft:

-Bartow County Sheriffs' Investigators have arrested a Cartersville man in connection with numerous thefts which occurred in September. According to Sheriff Clark Millsap:

-Deputies were contacted by Matthews Garage and Towing of Cartersville on Sept. 17. Matthews Garage reported that unknown person(s) had been taking large amounts of miscellaneous semitruck parts and scrap metal from several shops which they operate.

-Investigators arrested Douglas Junior Stiles, 19, and charged him with Theft by Taking (felony). It was discovered that Stiles had sold more than 6,500 pounds of steel during the past several weeks at local salvage yards, most of which is believed to be from Matthews Garage.

-Matthews Garage values the property stolen at more than $50,000.00.

-Stiles currently is booked into the Bartow County Jail with a probation hold and a bond set for these theft charges. This case is still under investigation and more charges could be taken on Stiles or other person(s).

-Tuesday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-Early voting continues for Nov. 2 elections. Click

-Sept. 22: Floyd Primary Care and Center for Diabetes in Taylorsville will host a ground-breaking ceremony Sept. 22 at 12:30 p.m. Hills Creek Road and Ga. 113. Update

-Sept. 23: Chamber's Business After Hours, Thursday, 5 until 7 p.m., sponsored by Reinhardt University at The Resource Center,1 N. Gilmer St., Cartersville. RSVP: Martha Macon, 770-382-1466

-Sept. 24: Bartow Business Connection will meet at Hilton Garden Inn from 4 p.m. until Midnight. This is a "drop in" event, so you can stay five minutes, an hour, or the entire evening.

-Sept. 25: Booth's Ansel Adams exhibit opens: The Booth Western Art Museum in downtown Cartersville welcomes its largest temporary exhibition yet with Ansel Adams: A Legacy Details

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: 20% rain chance. High 94, low 61. First day of fall (11:09 p.m.)

-Thursday: High of 93, low of 63.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey  

-Dan Houston is subbing for Norman today through Thursday.

-Today's column: Might this be the Year of the Ol' Ball Coach at South Carolina, in SEC East? Maybe.

John McClellan's High School picks. McClellan  

-HSD Panthers v. Unity Christian School at Cartersville. UCS gets first win.

-Woodland at Forsyth Central. Narrow win for Colonels. (Hear it live on WBHF 1450 AM Friday night and webcast on Bartow Headlines)

-Who's off this week: Calhoun, Cartersville, Armuchee, Pepperell, Adairsville, Cedartown and Rockmart.

AP Top 25 College Football. Click

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks  

-Home opener 1:30 p.m. Saturday vs. Georgetown, Ky., Barron Stadium.

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-Oct. 16-17/Rome Braves to host Second Annual Softball Slam. Braves

-Next: April 7 vs. Hagerstown. Check for events at State Mutual Stadium.