Friday, October 29, 2010

Sheriff's office: Arrested suspect has ties to other cases

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com

(Media release) Bartow County Sheriff's investigators say they've connected
Joseph Adam Bowlen to
numerous thefts and burglaries.

According to Sheriff Clark Millsap, last Tuesday, October 19, 2010,
investigators responded to 4831 Ryan Road to assist Georgia State Probation
Officers in the arrest of Bowlen at that location. While on the scene,
Bowlen escaped from custody, handcuffed, after he had been arrested by
probation officers from the Cartersville Probation Office for Violation of
Probation. Investigators discovered a large quantity of property inside the
residence that was believed to have been stolen from area convenience
stores. Investigators also recovered three stolen firearms, one of which
had
been stolen from a Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement vehicle
on October 3, 2010. Warrants were taken and lookouts were posted for
Bowlen.

Evidence recovered on October 19, 2010 at the Ryan Road address has linked
Bowlen to commercial burglaries including Cass White Grocery, Red Barn
Grocery, Austin's Feed and Seed, the Visitors Center and Offices at Red Top
Mountain State Park, and Martins Auto Parts on Highway 411. Warrants had
also been issued for Bowlen charging him with Theft by Taking (motor
vehicle) from Martin's Auto Parts, which was later involved in a chase on
Cass Pine Log Road on October 13, 2010. Bowlen had escaped that night on
foot and the truck was recovered.

A 1988 Chevy Astro Van, which had been stolen during the October 5, 2010
burglary at C and N Tire Shop on Cass White Road, was recovered on October
20, 2010 and had been stripped. The van was found at the Ryan Road address.

The other person arrested during the Bowlen incident at Schnitzer Southeast
was Stephen Haynes Clark, and Clark has been charged in the Red Barn
Grocery
burglary at this time. Other cases are being reviewed to see if they can be
linked to Bowlen or Clark.

Bartow could see patchy frost overnight. Final day for advance voting. Halloween Headlines. High school scores by 10:30. Norman's no-nos: college football losers--including UGA to Florida

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Today is final day of advance voting at Bartow County Annex Building, 105 N. Bartow St. and at Cartersville Civic Center, 435 W. Main St. Hours: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

-Your link to the sample ballots: Click Bartow.

-Election day voting: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 2 at your precinct.

-Hear final debate with House 14 hopefuls Christian Coomer, Dan Ledford: WBHF 1450 AM conducted the debate Wednesday. The final broadcast is 10 this morning. The district includes parts of Floyd, Bartow. Webcast: Bartow Headlines.

-Candidate profiles: House 14; Senate 52. Click

Today: Downtown Cartersville hosts Trick or Treat Friday, 3 until 5 p.m. Facebook

First freeze tonight? Low of 36 forecast; patchy frost possible.

-Dress warm for those high school games tonight as our first round of freezing temperatures are due overnight. Forecast: 56 degrees at kickoff; clear skies.

-Below: John McClellan's picks. Norman's No-Nos. Weekend forecast.

Business

-United Community posts $25.8 million quarterly loss from continuing operations but with inclusion of "goodwill impairment of $210.6 million," the net loss for the third quarter was $236.4 million. Details

'The Grand Theatre: 100 Years of Memories' has been postponed because of the sudden death of Don Kordecki: Visitation will be at Owen Funeral Home this evening from 6 until 9 p.m. A memorial service will be held in his honor on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Clarence Brown Conference Center. The Grand

Weekend Buzz

-Tonight's MegaMillions jackpot is $140 million. Lotto

Dining & Drink:

-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores. Dining

-Johnny Mitchell's website gets a new look: The Euharlee restaurant's updated site also includes details about a one-day barbecue class to get you and your team ready for the next big cookout. Cost: $99 with a class forming in November. Click.

-Wine dinner tonight at Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse: We're curious to see what's paired with Hominy and Hog Jowl Soup, Shrimp and Grits, Braised Rabbit on Wilted Greens, Venison Medalions with Turnips and Red Eye Gravy, Fall Pie Two Ways and a cheese course. Includes three offerings of wine. $45 person.

-Wine News Vine: Several wineries planning Halloween events this weekend in North Georgia. News Vine

Thursday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click and Click

Your latest forecast:

-Friday: Sunny but only 66 with a low of 36.
-Saturday: Sunny with a high of 71, low of 39.
-Sunday: Sunny but only 73 with a low of 46.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Norman's No-Nos: Florida is bad but Georgia still loses; Auburn survives being ranked No. 1.

John McClellan's Week 10 high school picks. Click McClellan

-A key look at the post-season. Plus:

-Cartersville up 30 more than Pickens.

-Adairsville falls to Rockmart.

-Woodland falls to Creekview.

-Plus: regional predictions. Click McClellan

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Hawks (4-4) host Webber Int. at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Barron Stadium.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Jobless rate down in Cartersville/Bartow vs. Sept. 2009 but climbs compared to August 2010. Chamber Expo is today at Brown Center. Chilly weekend nights ahead.

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

Jobless trends: Most see improvement from August, year-ago stats

September

report

September

Employed

September

Unemployed

September

% jobless

August

% jobless

Sept. 2009 % jobless
Bartow
39,954
5,239
11.6%
11.1%
12.8%
Chattooga
9,013
1,236
12.1%
13.3%
11.7%
Floyd
43,658
5,015
10.3%
10.8%
10.9%
Gordon
21,561
2,926
11.9%
12.5%
13.0%
Polk
18,423
2,081
10.1%
10.5%
10.7%
State
4,201,901
464,785
10.0%
10.3%
10.1%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

-The final batch of unemployment stats before Tuesday's general election showed more positives than negatives for Northwest Georgia. In most cases, the September jobless rate was down in Floyd, Bartow, Gordon and Polk counties compared to the same month last year. Chattooga posted the only increase, from 11.7 to 12.1 percent.

-Compared to August reports, Bartow showed the only increase, from 11.1 percent to 11.5 percent. One factor could have been Mohawk's closing of a spun yarn plant in August, wiping out 229 jobs. Bartow also was the only county in the market reporting an increase in the number of people unemployed, up 234 from the previous month.

-Rome/Floyd County saw a drop in people unemployment, from 5,299 to 5,015--equal to a sold out crowd at State Mutual Stadium when the Braves play at home.

-The Rome/Floyd numbers were something of a surprise with the loss of Pierre Foods in August, including 350 jobs. Rome did see a 300-plus drop in the local labor force, in part attributable to the CCH Small Firm Services exodus from West Rome to Kennesaw.

-What's next: Look for retailers to continue some hiring for the Christmas shopping season now under way (Santa arrives in just over two weeks at Mount Berry Square).

-As of today: No significant job/career fairs are posted for our area. The next big hire: full-time and part-time jobs with Mellow Mushroom in Rome in December.

-Closer look at the statewide report: Business

Oct. 28: Bartow chamber's 2010 Business Showcase ready. With the theme "Roll Out the Red Carpet for Business in Bartow," the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce's annual business showcase is set for 3-7 p.m. This year, it moves to the Brown Center across from the Georgia Highlands' Bartow campus. On tap: More than 70 booths and exhibitors; additional updates. Details: Chamber

Oct. 28: Flu shots available at Bartow Public Health: The Bartow County Health Department will be offering flu shots to everyone over six months of age from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.at the Civic Center (next to the Bartow County Public Library), 435 W. Main St. 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). Pneumonia shots will be available for those persons meeting the high-risk criteria and will be provided at no charge through a state grant. 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

Key dates for Nov. 2 general election voting:

-Advance voting continues through Friday, Oct. 29 at Bartow County Annex Building, 105 N. Bartow St. and at Cartersville Civic Center, 435 W. Main St. Hours: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

-Your link to the sample ballots: Click Bartow.

-Election day voting: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 2 at your precinct.

Latest updates from the chamber of commerce. Click

Wednesday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click and Click

Your latest forecast:
-Thursday: Sunny with a high of 74, low of 39.
-Friday: Sunny but only 66 with a low of 34.
-Weekend: Clear skies, highs in the low 70s, lows in the upper 30s.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Be true to your school even if it kills you, no matter if it means staying away from fried okra.

John McClellan's Week 10 high school picks. Click McClellan

-A key look at the post-season. Plus:

-Cartersville up 30 more than Pickens.

-Adairsville falls to Rockmart.

-Woodland falls to Creekview.

-Plus: regional predictions. Click McClellan

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Hawks (4-4) host Webber Int. at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Barron Stadium.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

More storms possible today as Northwest Georgia cleans up from violent Tuesday. Record heat to be followed by lows near freezing. Plus: what's ahead in Bartow County

 
Wednesday: We're not quite done with storms just yet

-The radar image from 6:25 this morning shows current conditions, including another tornado warning near Birmingham as the stubborn storm system continues to threaten the region. Our rain chance today: 80 percent followed by 30 percent tonight.

-For a comprehensive look at Tuesday's weather across the country, attributed to the storm system, check The Weather Channel. The cable network is calling it "Fall Fury" and coverge takes you to some of the storm-damaged areas across the USA.

-The AJC reports that two small tornadoes were confirmed, both in our region: One in Catoosa County and one in Dade County. Hundreds of trees are down.. Click

By the numbers:

-Rain: The storms swamped some parts of the region but the official rain count was 1.11 inches in Rome and .10 of an inch in Cartersville.

-Wind: Gusts to 29 mph were clocked in Cartersville; 30 mph in Rome..

 

A rainbow bridges the campus of Shorter University Tuesday evening between a series of storms moving through the region. Photo by Aimee H. Madden.

What's next:

-Near-freezing nights after record heat: The official cause of Tuesday's storms was a cold front moving throughout the southeast. Now comes the cold part: temperatures will drop to 37 degrees Thursday night and to 34 degrees Friday night.

-What's bizarre: Tuesday's high was 85 degrees in Cartersville, breaking the record of 84 set on Oct. 26, 1984. Tuesday's high in Rome was 86 degrees, one tick shy of the record. Normal for this time of year: A high of 68 and a low of 43.

-Today: 80% chance of main storms, rain. High near 82. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph.

-Tonight: 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

-Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Gusts to 20 mph.

-Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

-Photo, right: A rainbow sets down across the Bypass from Heritage Nissan

Tuesday evening. Photo by Ernie "The K-Man" Studard.

Business Buzz:

-The Crate leaves its home county, Chattooga: A solemn picture from our colleagues at The Summerville News (snap) tells the story that The Crate has left Summerville. The store at 10535 Commerce St. is vacant. What we didn't know: The Crate's first store was in nearby Trion, founded in 1979 as The Orange Crate. The chain grew to 10 locations, including the Rome location at 2535 Redmond Circle. It remains open. Click Crate

-Another new seasonal star opens: Christmas Treasurers by Gigi, a seasonal spinoff of GiGi's Hidden Teasures on Wall Street, is open in downtown Cartersville next to the original. The shop is filled with holiday items and will remain open through the end of the year. GiGi's/Faceook

-Jobs fair today: The new Opi's Roadhouse at Ga. 140 and 53 near Shannon conducts another round of interviews today from 2 to 7 p.m. at the newly rebuilt restaurant. Facebook

-Regions Bank reports $209 million third-quarter loss vs. $437 million in the same period a year earlier. Locally, Regions trimmed offices in Armuchee and Calhoun earlier this year as part of a systemwide contraction. Results

-Oct. 28: United Community Banks Inc. is scheduled to announce third quarter 2010 financial results before 9 a.m. Click

-Nov. 4: Calhoun-based Mohawk Industries to release third-quarter results Nov. 4. Click

-Oct. 28: Bartow chamber's 2010 Business Showcase moves to new Brown Center: With the theme  "Roll Out the Red Carpet for Business in Bartow," the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce's annual business showcase is set for 3-7 p.m. Oct. 28. This year, it moves to the Brown Center across from the Georgia Highlands' Bartow campus. On tap: More than 70 booths and exhibitors; additional updates. Details: Chamber

Today's Buzz:

-Floyd County limits volunteer duties at animal control. Buzz

-Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority seeks applications for Youth Basketball Referees, Scorekeepers, and Clock Operators. Click

-Georgia Highlands' Honor Society inducts 55. Click

-County offer free mulch; larger amounts for sale. Details

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Big East football is a joke this season. And yes, Georgia can still win the SEC East.

John McClellan's Week 10 high school picks. Click McClellan

-A key look at the post-season. Plus:

-Close win over Lambert by Rome

-Armuchee by 10 over Coosa.

-Pepperell cruises by Model by 30.

-Darlington gets 30-point win over Walker

-Adairsville falls to Rockmart.

-Dade County beats Chattooga

-Trion coasts by Gordon Lee.

-Plus: regional predictions. Click McClellan

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Oct. 30 vs. Webber Int., 1:30 p.m., Barron Stadium.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Four die in Ga. 140 collision near Adairsville. Bartow updates. John McClellan's high school picks. 60% rain chance.

WSB  TV's coverage of Ga. 140 crash near Adairsville that killed four people including three Chattooga County residents. WSB

Business Buzz:

-Synovus Financial Corp., parent of GB & T in Calhoun/Cartersville, reports net loss of $195.8 million.Details

-Sam Huenergardt, chief operating officer at Gordon Hospital, named chief executive officer at Central Texas Medical Center. Click

-Popcorn Haven's second shop now open in Cartersville: The shop is in Main Street Commons at 608 E. Main St. near Kohl's. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The original location is at 171 W. Belmont Drive in Calhoun. Click

John McClellan's Week 10 high school picks. Click McClellan

-A key look at the post-season. Plus:

-Cartersville up 30 more than Pickens.

-Adairsville falls to Rockmart.

-Woodland falls to Creekview.

-Plus: regional predictions. Click McClellan

The forecast:

-Tuesday: High of 80, low of 64. Rain chance: 50-60%

-Wednesday: High of 80, low of 51. Rain chance: 20-30%

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Key dates for Nov. 2 general election voting:

-Advance voting continues through Friday, Oct. 29 at Bartow County Annex Building, 105 N. Bartow St. and at Cartersville Civic Center, 435 W. Main St. Hours: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

-Your link to the sample ballots: Click Bartow.

-No voting on Monday, Nov. 1.

-Election day voting: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 2 at your precinct.

Latest updates from the chamber of commerce. Click

Monday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click and Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-This is the year that stars fell on Alabama as Auburn assumes the No. 1 mantel.

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Hawks (4-4) host Webber Int. at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Barron Stadium.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Thunderstorm warning until 6:30 a.m., tornado watch until 10 a.m. Plus: regional updates

Severe thunderstorm warning until 6:30 a.m. Click

Tornado watch until 10 a.m. Click

-Monday: High of 77, 80% chance of storms; low of 64.

-Tuesday: High of 81, low of 66. Rain chance: 30-50%

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia: Click

-Final days: Campaign 2010 enters the final full week (we think). Updates on:
-Advance voting under way at two sites.
-RINOs backing Loudermilk opponent in Senate 52 race?
-Piggy back politics (signs at least) and national attention for local forum.
-Kudzu Vine online radio show growing like.. well, you know...

Today's Focus:
Click
-Cell phone wars heat up in Northwest Georgia. Metro PCS made a cannonball when jumping into the waters of local cell phone competition. But now comes some new plays (iPad, anyone?) from the established players here.

 

As we enter the final (we think) full week of Campaign 2010 . . .

A Sunday drive along Turner McCall Boulevard in Rome shows a spread of candidates' signs but not as many as in recent years. Turner McCall and First Street also is not as packed.

With advance voting starting today and the general election eight days out, we're seeing some final moves in a mostly sleepy local campaign. Statewide, there's a real buzz about a runoff in the governor's race as polls tighten up  and the rhetoric cranks up. Some notes to share in this otherwise final stretch:

-Advance voting begins at civic center: You can vote today through Friday at Rome Civic Center (photo, right) from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Early voting also continues at the election office at 12 E. Fourth Ave. in downtown Rome in the ground floor office off First Street.

-Here's a link to Floyd County's sample ballots. Click

-RINOs for Sweet Reason? Perhaps they are a local breed of Republicans in Name Only" but whatever the reason, several people claiming Republican ties have stepped before the video camera to pitch Democrat Mike Burton (right) and his "sweet reason" upset bid over Republican Senate District 52 hopeful Barry Loudermilk. (lower right) The lineup includes a twice-failed state House candidate and another with ties to local "media" as well as a Polk County commissioner (Polk is outside the Senate district). As colorful as

Burton is, the YouTube video won't change the fact that Loudermilk will make sweet relish out of the Democrat -- and commercial. YouTube

-A challenge for KFC's new double-down sandwich:

You've probably seen the new piggy back yard signs stating "Isakson Deal" on them. The top goes to Johnny Isakson, the veteran Georgia Republican Senator who's seeking a new term. The bottom is Nathan Deal, the GOP candidate for governor. Odd to see a federal candidate and state candidate paired like that. But then who thought a high-calorie chicken sandwich--minus the bread--would be a hit?

-NAACP-Tea Party forum gets national attention: News organizations as far away as San Francisco picked up the prelude to last Thursday's candidates forum shared by the local NAACP chapter and the local Tea Party (click). Georgia Public Broadcasting also spun its own short story on the union. It defies national stories about NAACP and Tea Party groups at raging odds.

-Going for the gray vote: At least two senior living residences in Greater Rome have campaign material from local and one statewide candidate on some of the front tables as you enter and on what we'll classify as a community table. Smart move? You bet. We don't have the specifics but we'll assume older voters are more active than time-stretched younger counterparts.

-They've got a ticket to ride ... but will we care? A flock of statewide Republican candidates, including Rome school superintendent hopeful John Barge, are touring parts of the state on a bus campaign. Stops Sunday and Monday included Rome, Cartersville and Cedartown. The tour is called the "Real Jobs for Georgia" tour and therein lies the problem. With many of these guys being incumbents or having held other offices recently, why is the job push something on a potential future agenda vs. reality right now? Our jobless rate has been in the double digits for more than a year.

-Quiet night at election headquarters? All of two races will be decided solely by Rome/Floyd County voters on Nov. 2: A county commission seat and state House District 13. Will we still see the normal parade of politicos and wannabes at the administration building the night of Nov. 2? The only suspense of the night is the governor's race.

-Rome-grown Internet radio show Kudzu Vine growing like.. kudzu: Founded in 2007, David McLaughlin's Democrat-leading Kudzu Vine Internet radio show continues to grow. In recent weeks, it hit no. 2 on the BlogTalkRadio's politics category. You can hear Sunday's 7 p.m. show on demand or tune in Oct. 31 for the next live edition. Click Kudzu.

Local cell phone wars escalate as new gear arrives for holidays

New iPad sales, 'game-changer' smartphones have customers ... talking

By Natalie Simms
nsimmshh@att.net


Local cell phone wars will heat up this week as new products begin to roll out, signaling the start of the Christmas sales push. And with a new player in the market this year, competition will be at an all time high for your business.


Just over four months ago, Metro PCS made its debut in Rome, opening with four locations: Two owned by JM Communications of Georgia at 1929 Shorter Ave. and 1016 N. Broad St.; and two others are owned by Worldwide Communications, Inc. at 130 Shorter Ave. and 503 E. Second Ave.


"Business has been pretty good. We've been busy getting word out to the community about our services…sponsoring a number of community events," says Robin Dedios, assistant manager at the 1929 Shorter Ave. location. "We now have about 1,000 new customers in the area and November, December and January are coming up… typically the best months of the year."


Metro PCS touts a $40 per month price for unlimited talk, text and long-distance, which brings a relatively-lower priced option to the two biggest players in our market: AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless.


"We have a low flat-rate, no taxes, no contract, no credit checks…all pre-paid at the store," she says. "We are also getting ready to roll out 12 new phones before Christmas. All will be offered with instantly-off savings, no mail in rebates."


Rome's Verizon Wireless store manager Justin Harris welcomes the additional competition to the local cell phone market.


"They (Metro PCS) are a company that offers a low cost solution that is needed for some folks. But there are still a huge number of people looking for something more that we can offer," says Harris.


And the offers begin this week as both local Verizon and AT &T stores launch the Apple iPad on Oct. 28. Prices will start at $629.


"We are really excited to see Apple and Verizon come together to offer the iPad. This is a great way to kick off the holiday season," Harris says. "We have some customers already on a contact list for when they come in. I'm sure we'll have some waiting in line."


Along with the iPad, Verizon also will be introducing several new Droid devices before the holidays. Harris believes all the new products will only add to business.


"Our parking lot stays slapped full," he says. "The good news is we've rented a lot up the street for our employees to park and walk down. Plus we're re-doing our parking lot to give us additional spaces. We definitely stay busy and expect to continue to do so."


Along with the iPad, the local AT&T Wireless store at 617 Martha Berry Blvd. is gearing up for the launch of the new Windows Phone 7 with Microsoft's new operating system.


"Microsoft's new mobile operating system has been the focus of worldwide buzz and bandwidth for months," says Stacey Harth, AT&T Corporate Communications. "The new smartphones from HTC, LG and Samsung will be available exclusively for AT&T customers ahead of the holiday shopping season."


Each of the three smartphones sports a capacitive (sensors) glass touch screen, 5-megapixel camera and a 1GHz Snapdragon processor. The first to debut will be the Samsung Focus on Nov. 8. The others premiere just before Christmas.


"These devices – quite literally – are game changers, and we are delighted to bring them to our customers," said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "It's a perfect match – phones that redefine gaming and entertainment, riding a network that assures customers a high-speed experience."

AT&T also will launch three Android smartphones this holiday season, bringing its line-up to a total of eight Android devices available to customers.


"We want nothing less than the best smartphone line-up on the nation's fastest mobile broadband network," says Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "These diverse new Android devices from Motorola add diversity to our Android platform and provide more options for our customers."

All the changes in the mobile phone wars have not come without casualties. Earlier this month, the Corr Wireless shop on Turner McCall (right) closed its doors after an initial, successful run in Greater Rome. The shop took over Verizon's former location as Verizon moved to new quarters at the intersection of Turner McCall and Broad Street. The location is up for lease.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Weekend football: previews now, scores tonight. Cartersville site of cowboy festival. Forecast: Beautacious.

Financial institutions

-Coosa Valley Credit Union opens Armuchee branch

Coosa Valley Credit Union newest branch at 3040 Martha Berry Highway in Armuchee is now open.

-SunTrust Banks report third quarter income of $84 million vs. a loss of $377 million in the same period in 2009. SunTrust's Floyd County deposits as of June 30:  $170.6 million. More on the quarterly report. Click

-Oct. 25: Synovus, parent company of Citizens First Bank in Rome and GB & T in Calhoun and Cartersville, to announce third quarter results. Click

Dining

-Reunion for longtime coffee club at Arby's reopens in Rome: After a surprise two-week hiatus, the "Rome Breakfast Crew" will be back at Arby's at 805 Martha Berry Highway this morning as the restaurant and two sister shops reopen.The group has been meeting at Arby's for more than 20 years. "We knew the original owners, Don Evans and Charles Ables, so that is why we started going. We got a long way back with them and it made it personal to eat there," says Cal Owens, a seven-year member. Natalie Simms reports. Click Dining

-Public health restaurant inspection scores for NW Georgia. Click

-Wine News Vine: Upcoming tasting; updates from wineries. WNV

5,000-plus due at four-day Southeastern Cowboy Festival and Symposium: Concerts, lectures, exhibits, vendors and a Sunday morning "Cowboy Church" are part of the eighth annual celebration at the Booth Western Art Museum today through Sunday. A closer look: Click

Latest updates from the chamber of commerce. Click

Thursday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click and Click

Football updates

-Tonight by 10:30 p.m. Our easy-to-find high school football scores.

-Below: John McClellan's high school picks for tonight.

-Below: Norman's No-Nos: 15 bona fide losers this weekend.

-Below: Shorter vs. Cumberland, Ky.--in Cobb County.

Your latest forecast:

-Friday: High of 77, low of 42.

-Saturday:  High of 78, low of 49.
-Sunday: High of 77, low of 56. 30% chance of rain.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's sports commentary. Click 

-LSU-Auburn will be a slobber-knocker; Oklahoma's reign is short-lived. 

John McClellan's week nine high school football picks. Click

-This week's winners include:

-Adairsville beats Model / Cartersville over Cedartown

-Chattahoochee thumps Cass / N. Whitfield over Woodland.

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Next up: Oct. 23, at Harrison High, vs. Cumberland, Ky. 1:30 p.m.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert.  

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Oct. 26: Chattahoochee Technical College career fair set

(Media release) Chattahoochee Technical College students, graduates, friends and family will have the opportunity to speak with more than 30 companies about fulltime, part-time, and seasonal opportunities. One of the largest such events in the area, the annual college career fair is scheduled to take place Tuesday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in building D of the North Metro campus in Acworth. Also on hand will be representatives from 11 colleges and universities for students and participants wanting to discuss educational opportunities.

"While many students and graduates experience frustration in their job search, we are offering an opportunity to bring together job seekers and employers under one roof," said CTC Career Services Coordinator Lucylle Shelton. "The area's top employers are coming together to recruit and hire qualified candidates from right here at Chattahoochee Technical College."

Ranging from well-known national corporations to leading local businesses, some of the hiring companies that have already registered to participate in the Fall 2010 Career Fair include: Berry Plastics, City of Marietta – Board of Lights and Water, CNN/Turner Broadcasting, BrightStar Healthcare, Edward Jones, Fastenal, First Data, Northwest Exterminating, Teachers R Us Staffing, Wachovia and many others.

Pre-registration by job seekers is not necessary for event, but Shelton says they should be prepare for career fair as they do any job interview. Business dress, resumes and professional demeanor are required of anyone wanting to interview and network for a job.

"Job seekers should bring plenty of copies of their resume and dress for success," said Shelton, who has been teaching job search skills through workshops at many of the college's seven campuses. "They should have a focused message about what they have to offer and what they are looking for in terms of a job."

For more information on Chattahoochee Technical College, call 770-528-4545 or visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu.

Double dose of good news on local jobs. Bartow: First-time jobless claims drop

Surprising double dose of good news on local labor trends

-Rome/Floyd picks up 800 jobs in September vs. same month last year

-Bartow's first-time unemployment insurance claims drop sharply.

-But state's jobless rate in September, 10%, unchanged from August. Click

With the Pierre Foods plant closing in Rome in August and Mohawk's idling the spun yarn plant in Cartersville, local employment trends were expected to sink yet again. The closings took nearly 600 jobs out of the market, and that didn't count for the CCH Small Firm Services relocation to Kennesaw (nearly 350 more jobs lost).

Instead, Rome/Floyd saw an 800-job gain in September vs. the same month last year, boosting the local labor force estimate from 38,600 to 39,400.

Just as surprising: The number of people filing for first-time unemployment insurance benefits dropped both month-over-month and year-over-year in all five local counties and statewide.

 
September
August
Sept. 2009
12-month %
Bartow
668
930
882
Down 24.3%
Chattooga
73
111
86
Down 15.1%
Floyd
713
1,283
1,017
Down 29.9%
Gordon
564
841
875
Down 35.5%
Polk
333
411
444
Down 25.0%
Georgia
57,146
70,264
66,614
Down 14.6%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

Oct. 28: Flu shots available at Bartow Public Health: The Bartow County Health Department will be offering flu shots to everyone over six months of age from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.at the Civic Center (next to the Bartow County Public Library), 435 W. Main St. Nurse Manager Cathy Green says the agency is trying to make it an easier, more convenient stop this year. "Vaccination is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting the flu," said Green.  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). Pneumonia shots will be available for those persons meeting the high-risk criteria and will be provided at no charge through a state grant.  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

Statewide GOP candidates bring bus tour to Cartersville Sunday: The rally is set for 2:30 p.m. at the Train Depot on Public Square.

5,000-plus due at four-day Southeastern Cowboy Festival and Symposium: Concerts, lectures, exhibits, vendors and a Sunday morning "Cowboy Church" are part of the eighth annual celebration at the Booth Western Art Museum today through Sunday. A closer look: Click

Wednesday's Buzz:

-Oct. 21: Chamber's Business After Hours, hosted by Cartersville Medical Center. Go to the north tower, classrooms one and two, 5-7 p.m. Chamber

Thursday's Buzz:

-Oct. 30: The Coosa River Basin Initiative will host a 12-mile paddle on the Etowah and Coosa rivers from Grizzard Park on the Etowah to Lock and Dam Park on the Coosa River. The "Fall Foliage Paddle" takes adventurers through the heart of downtown Rome and on to the historic lock and dam. Click

-Nov. 13: The Ninth Annual CRBI-Northwest Georgia Credit Union Fish Fry & Green Expo is at Rome First United Methodist Church in Downtown Rome. The meal will feature fried catfish filets, hushpuppies, cole slaw, cheese grits, tea and homemade desserts. Advance tickets are $8 for regular plates and $5 for small fries in advance and can be purchased online or at the following locations: CRBI in Downtown Rome, Kroger in East Rome, Lavender Mountain Hardware in Armuchee or Cedar Creek Park in Cave Spring. The Green Expo will feature exhibits about environmentally friendly consumer products and games.  Details

-Oct. 23: 37th Annual Peach State Marching Festival ready for Barron

The 37th annual Peach State Marching Festival will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at the historic Barron Stadium in Rome. Peach State is the longest continuously running marching band festival in Georgia. Details

-Oct. 25: Synovus, parent company of Citizens First Bank in Rome and GB & T in Calhoun and Cartersville, to announce third quarter results. Click

Wednesday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click and Click

Your latest forecast:

-Thursday: Sunny, high of 78, low of 39.

-Friday: High of 77, low of 43.

-Weekend: Upper 70s, lows near 50. Some rain.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's sports commentary. Click 

-Olympic hopefuls, beware of mail enhancement products; Tiger gives up only $110 million

John McClellan's week nine high school football picks. Click

-This week's winners include:

-Adairsville beats Model / Cartersville over Cedartown

-Chattahoochee thumps Cass / N. Whitfield over Woodland.

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Next up: Oct. 23, at Harrison High, vs. Cumberland, Ky. 1:30 p.m.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert.  

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

700 new jobs possible with latest Bartow/Toyo pact. More restaurants closing--and arriving. Cowboy Festival expects 5,000-plus starting Thursday

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com

700 new jobs possible in Bartow County over the next decade thanks to an agreement signed Tuesday by the Bartow-Cartersville Joint Development Authority which now goes before Toyo Tire's board. According to the story first reported by WBHF AM 1450:

-It's part of twin inducement resolutions, together valued at $910 million, offered by the deveopment authority as something of an incubator for development bonds for Toyo's growth in White in northeast Bartow County.

-The $880 million portion of the package would help with equipment purchases and growth on the Toyo campus. "The company could grow at a pace it's comfortable with," says Melinda Lemmon, Bartow's economic development director. The $30 million portion, for the warehouse operation, would provide for almost immediate equipment purchases to allow Toyo to keep up with customer demand.

-In all, the pact would extend beyond 2020 and could grow Toyo's local employment totals from 650 to 1,350 in 10 years.

-The goal is to close the development deal by year's end, Lemmon adds.

- Last month, Toyo announced it was hiring an additional 200 people. The company was named the Georgia Manufacturer of the Year in 2009.

Restaurant roller coaster continues: First we saw three local Arby's close suddenly in Rome and Rockmart. Last week, it was the longtime home of Mrs. Winners in Cartersville. This week, it is the Martha Berry site of Mrs. Winners as well as the original home of Bella Roma as the owners focus on the 11-month-old Bella Roma Grill at State Mutual Stadium. Even The Three Rivers Club at the ballpark is closed for renovations. On the way: A new Opi's Roadhouse in Shannon and Mellow Mushroom in downtown Rome. Click Dining.

5,000-plus due at four-day Southeastern Cowboy Festival and Symposium: Concerts, lectures, exhibits, vendors and a Sunday morning "Cowboy Church" are part of the eighth annual celebration at the Booth Western Art Museum in downtown Cartersville Thursday through Sunday. A closer look: Click

Wednesday's Buzz:

-Oct. 21: Chamber's Business After Hours, hosted by Cartersville Medical Center. Go to the north tower, classrooms one and two, 5-7 p.m. Chamber

-Now on Facebook: Georgia's Department of Transportation. Click

Tuesday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click and Click

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: High of 74, 50% rain chance. Low of 40

-Thursday: Sunny, high of 78, low of 41.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Friday night predictions from Georgia High School Football Daily

John McClellan's week nine high school football picks. Click

-This week's winners include:

-Adairsville beats Model / Cartersville over Cedartown

-Chattahoochee thumps Cass / N. Whitfield over Woodland.

Norman Arey's sports commentary. Click 

-Basketball season may be a welcome relief at the University of Georgia.

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Next up: Oct. 23, at Harrison High, vs. Cumberland, Ky. 1:30 p.m.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert.  

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Bartow GOP meeting part of final two-week blitz of Campaign 2010. Cartersville player saluted. Rome restaurant closes; Opi's is returning.

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com

T-minus two weeks: Busy wrap-up to too-quiet campaign season

-Two weeks from tonight and it's all over for Campaign 2010--pending a possible runoff, that is. These final days will be busy ones in Northwest Georgia:

-Thursday: Rome NAACP and Rome Tea Party are teaming up for a political forum at 6 p.m. at the Rome Civic Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the public to meet local candidates.

 -Saturday: Floyd County Republicans will meet at 8:30 a.m. at party headquarters next to Kroger. The speakers: state Rep. Katie Dempsey, R-Rome, and John Barge, the Republican candidate for school superintendent. Click

-Saturday: Bartow County Republicans meet at party headquarters, 162 W.  Main St., Suite 106, Cartersville, 9 a.m. Speaker: Tim Echols, PSC candidate.Click

-Monday: Several Republican candidates for statewide office will be in Cedartown at 8 a.m. The specific location will be announced soon. 

-Oct. 28/Rome Young Republicans and Berry College Republicans will have joint meeting at 6:30, Krannert Center at Berry.

John McClellan's week nine high school football picks. Click

-This week's winners include:

-Adairsville beats Model / Cartersville over Cedartown

-Chattahoochee thumps Cass / N. Whitfield over Woodland.

Cartersville, Calhoun, Pepperell standouts praised. Football Daily

Bella Roma closes; staff, Thrive menu move to Bella Roma Grill

-Eddie Hasko's first Bella Roma at Martha Berry Highway in Armuchee has closed about two months earlier than planned. Hasko says his employees have moved to the 11-month-old Bella Rome Grill in front of State Mutual Stadium.

-The lease on the original location expires in December and Hasko originally planned to keep both open while trying to sell the Martha Berry location. He'll now move some equipment to the newer restaurant as well as staff and the Thrive menu items the Armuchee site had featured. Delivery service continues for orders of $30 or more within a five-mile radius of the stadium location.

- Hasko continues to expand events thereas well, including a live band on Wednesday (Back in the Day), college football specials and a second wine tasting event following the success of the first one in August.

-Opi's Roadhouse interviewing for expected November return: With a new building and new owners, Opi's Roadhouse returns soon to the Shannon area at Ga. 53 and 140 across from Church Chair. Interviews are set for the restaurant from 2 until 7 p.m. on Thursday and Oct. 27. Also, you can apply at the Rome Career Center on Oct. 25. Details: 706-204-8601.

Monday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click and Click

Your latest forecast:

-Tuesday: high of 81, low of 52, 30% rain chance overnight.  

-Wednesday: High of 75, 30% rain chance. Low of 41.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's sports commentary. Click 

-Florida Coach Urban Meyer has got to find it before he can overhaul it.

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Next up: Oct. 23, at Harrison High, vs. Cumberland, Ky. 1:30 p.m.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert.  

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Monday, October 18, 2010

What's ahead in Bartow County. Buzz of Northwest Georgia. Near 80 today; rain possible Tuesday night

 

What's ahead this week:

-Oct. 18: Meeting called to cancel meeting: A Cartersville City Council meeting has been called for Monday, Oct. 18 at 9 a.m. to vote on the resolution that would cancel the regularly scheduled council meeting that would normally take place on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. Reason: lack of quorum. 

-Oct. 18: Bartow County Democratic Party will meet at 7 p.m. at IHOP Restaurant, 640 East Main St.

-Oct. 20: Motivational speaker Marcus Engel will be presenting his story to students at the North Metro campus of Chattahoochee Technical College on Wednesday. Engel, who will share his extraordinary story of recovery after being blinded and catastrophically injured by a drunk driver, was invited by CTC's Disability Services in recognition of Disability Awareness Month.  Click.

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia.  Click
-Business Buzz: Mi Alazan applies for beer-wine-liquor license as restaurant prepares to open at Central Plaza. New look for mall website. Want to be foursquare friends?
-Downtown survey: Giving Rome, other cities tools to ensure success.
-Surprising early voter turnout for low-key local elections.

-Chiaha welcomes 120 artists; reaches out on Facebook, too.

-Peaks & Valleys: Top teachers, senior meal deals? 

Sunday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click and Click

Your latest forecast:

-Monday: high of 79, low of 42. (Normal high, 71; record, 87 in '38)

-Tuesday: high of 81, low of 49, 30% rain chance overnight.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's sports commentary. Click 

-Did the usually unflappable Spurrier get flapped? The ACC is coming on strong.

John McClellan's high school football picksClick

-Week nine posts Tuesday.

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Next up: Oct. 23, at Harrison High, vs. Cumberland, Ky. 1:30 p.m.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert.  

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Early turnout strong despite quiet local election scene:

-Just over two weeks remain in one of the most low-key local elections in recent memory. Few candidates face opposition Nov. 2 as most races were decided in the Republican primary in July. (Candidate Q & As)

-Exactly two races will be decided by Floyd-only votes: A county commission race (Eddie Lumsden vs. Rick Garrett) and House District 13 (Katie Dempsey vs. Bonny Askew).

-Still, you'll see a 10-screen ballot when you vote this year, mostly because of statewide races and the amendments/referendums.

-More than 100 people voted "early" at the county elections office on Thursday, something of a surprising number given how slow the 2010 local campaign season has been. Early voting continues there this week, with the second polling station, at the Rome Civic Center, open from Oct. 25-29. No early voting Nov. 1.

-Local debates and forums have been low key so far, with another event--a combined Rome NAACP/Rome Tea Party political forum at 6 p.m. Thursday at the civic center--yet to go.

-The major draw of the general election is the governor's race, a massive mudslinger of a race highlighted by Democrat Roy Barnes and Republican Nathan Deal. Also on the ballot Libertarian John Monds and write-ins David Byrne and Neal Horsley. Our guess: Watch for a runoff in the governor's race.

-Sample ballots/information: Floyd / Bartow / Gordon / Polk / State

Business Buzz

-Mi Alazan applies for liquor pouring license: The new Mexican restaurant coming to Central Plaza seeks a beer, wine and liquor pouring permit before Rome's Alcohol Control Commission later this month. Mi Alazan is a sister location to the usually buzzing El Alazan on Wax Road off Ga. 101 in Silver Creek. The new windows facing Second Avenue are in and renovations continue on the exterior.

-New look, focus for mall website: Urban Retail Properties has put a new look and touches on the Mount Berry Square website. Smartest move: Top rightside position of the mall's social media efforts, Facebook and Twitter. Mount Berry continues to be a local leader in getting the word out about sales and promotions via social media.

-Speaking of social media: Hometown Headlines continues to expand, this time on foursquare. Become "friends" at http://foursquare.com

The above image is the cover for the questionnaires and surveys going on in 13 Georgia communities, including downtown Rome. The goal: Recommendations to keep cities and downtowns successful.

Survey's goal: Give Rome, other cities 'tools necessary to support vibrant downtowns well into the future.'

By Natalie Simms
nsimmshh@att.net

Rome is one of 13 cities across the state chosen to participate in a comprehensive study of downtowns in Georgia. The joint project by the Georgia Cities Foundation, the Georgia Municipal Association and the University of Georgia's Fanning Institute ultimately will result in policy recommendations to help keep cities and downtowns successful into the future.


"They are taking a look at what factors come into play to create a successful downtown," says Ann Arnold, Director of Rome's Downtown Development Authority. "They will then take all of these recommendations and develop policies for various government agencies."

Arnold says the project started with surveying more than 1,000 folks statewide and then 13 communities were selected for more in-depth participation. Rome is now in the process of conducting the targeted community surveys with an intern from UGA's Fanning Institute.

The DDA's board along with various community leaders including the city manager, city commissioners, visitors' bureau staff, etc., are participating in the downtown survey.

"The study will include an assessment of concerns about downtowns across the state, as well as the identification of what can be done to support downtowns and to ensure that they are healthy and vibrant for future generations," says Perry Hiott, managing director of the Georgia Cities Foundation. "This initiative will attempt to take the pulse of downtowns and to develop policy recommendations that will provide cities with the tools necessary to support vibrant downtowns well into the future."

Arnold says the surveys should be completed in the next couple of weeks. The project's goal is to have all the findings and policy recommendations compiled by the end of the year.

"It will be interesting to hear the findings and I hope they will create some additional incentives on the state level," she says. "I know one of the things that have benefited us over the last six to eight years has been the low interest loans for business owners. We really need that to continue."

Downtown certainly is vital to Rome's economy. Since the first of the year, 71 jobs have been created downtown including a host of new businesses including Johnny's New York Style Pizza, the Greener Burger and Bussey's Florist. And on the way: Mellow Mushroom.

46th edition of Chiaha draws more than 120 artists

-Arts, crafts, food, hot apple cider and entertainment headline the 46th edition of the Chiaha Harvest Fair this Saturday and Sunday at Ridge Ferry Park, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

-What to wear: That's the official festival T-shirt to the right designed by Monica Sheppard. $10 for T-shirts; $12 for long sleeved. They'll be on sale at the festival.

-Admission: $5 for adults; $4 for seniors/students; kids under 12, $1.

-Meet the 120 artists. Click

-Who's on stage this year: Saturday and Sunday. Click

-Follow this year's festival via Facebook. Click

Go, Rome Rangers! (Well, OK, Texas Rangers but ... )

-Baseball fans are hearing some familiar names in the Yankees-Rangers American League Championship Series. It wasn't that long ago that Texas Rangers' outfielder Jeff Francoeur was a member of the 2003 South Atlantic League champion Rome Braves. Or that Elvis Andrus (right) was tumbled onto the field at State Mutual Stadium as part of another Rome team. Until late July, a third former Rome star--catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia--wore a Rangers' uniform; he's now with the Boston Red Sox organization.

PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to Michelle Plemons Sanders, a third-grade teacher at Garden Lakes Elementary, selected last week as the Floyd County Schools Teacher of the Year for 2011.

Peak to the second Softball Slam at State Mutual Stadium: What a great way to use the stadium in the Rome Braves' off season. The teams were there to have fun--and it showed. Here's hoping for a third round.

Valley to lack of senior-sized meals at restaurants: One of our local favorites couldn't accommodate a request for a small-portion dinner Saturday night. Of course, we got a take-home box for the leftovers. But why not offer something for those 70 and older who don't want or need the full meal deal?