Friday, September 30, 2011

Highlands' Dr. Randy Pierce retiring. Lows in the 30s on the way. What's ahead in Bartow County.. Latest jail reports. Norman Arey's football picks.

 

Colleges:

-Highlands' Pierce retiring Dec. 31.

-Thousands due at Berry College's Mountain Day.

-GNTC's McDaniel speaks to Dalton chamber.

 

So who replaces Floyd County Manager Kevin Poe?

-He's expected to be named Jackson County manager today.

-Several names already in the mix to replace him.

 

Weather:

-Upper 30s due Saturday, Sunday nights. Details below. 

 

What's ahead in Bartow County including free movie Saturday night.

 

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.

 

Football

-John McCellan's high school football picks.

-Key games Friday as subregion play begins; look for Adairsville, Calhoun to stay perfect. Armuchee-Pepperell game is huge.

   

Norman's No-Nos: Norman Arey picks 10 college losers for this weekend.
-Tight win for the Bulldogs on Saturday (but which one)? Tech to ramble through next ACC games. Gators swamped by Tide.

 

Game notes for Shorter's football game at Faulkner at noon Saturday.


Public health restaurant inspection scores: One 'U' this week Dining
-The latest reports from Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga counties.

Your latest forecast:
-Friday: Sunny, high of 77, low of 45.
-Saturday: Sunny, high of 66, low of 39.
-Sunday: Sunny, high of 68, low of 40.
 
Latest public health restaurant inspection scores.

Rome Braves set 2012 schedule.      

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Loudermilk denies harassment claim, knowledge of settlement. Latest restaurant scores. Braves out of playoffs. Lows in the low 40s this weekend.

 
The latest on claims of a discrimination settlement allegedly involving Sen. Barry Loudermilk and another state senator. Loudermilk denies the claim or any knowledge of an $80,000 settlement.
-Top Democrat demands federal investigation -- and senators' resignation.

Fox's Pizza Den due by November; full service plan includes dining in, buffett, delivery and a pick-up window for phone-ahead orders.

Carterville's Okinawa -- a 'cousin' to Blue Fin --  has added a second room and now features a very familar table, too.

Public health restaurant inspection scores: One 'U' this week Dining
-The latest reports from Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga counties.
 
What's ahead in Bartow County.
-Rotary Club donates 360 dictionaries to Cartersville Elementary.

It's over for the Atlanta Braves: Huge cushion in wild card race erased; Braves lose 4-3 in 13th as St. Louis wins final NL playoff spot.
Your latest forecast: 39 overnight Sunday?
-Thursday: Sunny, high of 84, low of 55.
-Friday: Cooler, high of 75, low of 45.
-Saturday: High of 68, low of 41.
John McCellan's high school football picks.
-Key games Friday as subregion play begins; look for Adairsville, Calhoun to stay perfect. Armuchee-Pepperell game is huge.

   

Norman's No-Nos: Norman Arey picks 10 college losers for this weekend. Look for his latest picks on Friday.


Rome Braves set 2012 schedule.      

 

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Rotary Club of Etowah donates dictionaries to third graders

Photo: Service Project Coordinator of Rotary Club of Etowah Ron Dempsey provides a brief presentation to third grade students at Cartersville Elementary School.

Media release: Rotary Club of Etowah recently donated 360 dictionaries - one for every third grader – to Cartersville Elementary School. As part of a nationwide program called The Dictionary Project, Rotary Club of Etowah made this donation as a way to assist students in their reading and writing abilities. Ron Dempsey, service project coordinator of Rotary Club of Etowah, spearheaded the project and gave a brief presentation to each of the third grade classes when the dictionaries were handed out earlier this week.

"Another Rotary Club I was in participated in The Dictionary Project a few years ago, and I saw how beneficial it was to students, and so I wanted to get Rotary Club of Etowah involved in the project," said Dempsey. "Third grade is a crucial year in the eyes of many educators when it comes to learning to read and write, so what better way to assist with this life-long skill that is necessary to succeed, than to give each third grade student a dictionary. All of the students – and teachers – at Cartersville Elementary School were very excited about the donation and eager to put their dictionary to good use. In fact, the "Canes Quest" trivia question of the week was about guide words – something a dictionary was needed to answer."

Implemented in 1995, The Dictionary Project has helped to provide more than 14 million children with dictionaries all over the United States. The mission statement, as explained on dictionaryproject.org, states: "The goal of this program is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary. The dictionaries are a gift to each student to use at school and at home for years to come. Educators see third grade as the dividing line between learning to read and reading to learn, so we encourage our sponsors to give dictionaries each year to children in the third grade."

Founded in 2002, Rotary Club of Etowah meets every Tuesday at 7:30 am at Barbecue Street in West End Commons. Like all Rotary clubs, the purpose is to help community leaders get involved in their communities, connect with other professionals, share their time and experience with young people, help in the mission to eradicate polio, and use skills to help others.

For more information about Rotary Club of Etowah, visit http://www.clubrunner.ca/CPrg/Home/homeF.asp?cid=3143.

 

Hamilton State Bank Opens New Operations Center

Hamilton State Bank opened its new operations center in Oakwood, bringing 40
jobs to the community.

The operations center, at the Oakwood South Industrial Park on McEver Road,
will house the support staff for Hamilton State Bank's 14 branches.

"With our growth over the last several months, we had outgrown our current
operations center," Hamilton State Bank Chairman and CEO Robert Oliver said.
"Looking ahead, we knew we would need extra space to support our expansion
plans."

The 25,600-square foot operation center opens with 40 employees who will
manage deposit and loan operations, accounting and information technology.
There is space to expand to 60 employees.

"We are excited to welcome Hamilton State Bank to Oakwood South Industrial
Park and be home to its Operations Center," City of Oakwood Mayor Lamar
Scroggs said. "Hamilton State Bank is growing throughout the state, and we
are pleased to have them be a part of our community."

Hamilton State Bank has branches throughout Georgia with offices in Barrow,
Bartow, Cobb, Hall, Forsyth, Jackson, Butts, Jasper and Henry counties,
including a branch in Oakwood off Winder Highway in the Robson Crossing
shopping center.

The City of Oakwood was a perfect spot for the new Operations Center.

"This location was ideal because it is near our main office in Braselton,
which houses our corporate office, and close to several other branches,"
Oliver said. "It is convenient for our long-term operations center employees
who had been working at our Braselton location. In addition, we have space
to grow which was an important factor when we were looking at sites."

Hamilton State Bank is one of the fastest growing banks in Georgia. In
February, Hamilton State Bank completed private offer and sale of common
stock and securities convertible and exercisable into common stock that
together resulted in proceeds of approximately $231.6 million. Two months
later, the bank then became just the third bank in Georgia to successfully
complete repayment of Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds back to the
U.S. Treasury Department.

With the stock offering and the TARP repayment, Hamilton State Bank
positioned itself to work with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to
purchased distressed banks. Hamilton State Bank acquired Cartersville-based
Bartow County Bank on April 15 and McIntosh State Bank of Jackson on June
17.

Jandy's Calhoun location due around Oct. 7. Indoor football team's grand opening Oct. 7; adds Chattanooga team. Atlanta Braves in wildcard tie with game to go. Fall temps this weekend.

 
Jandy's Calhoun location expected to open by Oct. 7
-Flooring issues slow first 'branch' of Rome frozen yogurt shop

Indoor football ramping up in Rome -- and Chattanooga.
-Rampage open house set for Oct. 7; team owners also bringing Rail Runners to Chattanooga area.

Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals tied in wild card race with one game to go.
If tied after tonight, the Cards would host a one-game playoff Thursday.
Gingrey seeks 'job creators' feedback.
 
What's ahead in Bartow County.
 
Latest Bartow County Jail reports.

Your latest forecast:
-Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high of 83, low of 57.
-Thursday: Sunny, high of 82, low of 56.
-Friday: Cooler, high of 77, low of 50.

John McCellan's high school football picks.

-Key games Friday as subregion play begins; look for Adairsville, Calhoun to stay perfect. Armuchee-Pepperell game is huge.

   

Norman's No-Nos: Norman Arey picks 10 college losers for this weekend. Look for his latest picks on Friday.

 

Georgia High School Football Daily.  


Rome Braves set 2012 schedule.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Isakson to discuss Senate budget compromise. Latest jail reports. John McClellan's high school picks. 20% rain chance today, Wednesday.

 
Senators reach agreement intended to end dispute over disaster relief spending that threatened to cause partial government shutdown. CNN
-Get U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson's take on the vote beginning at 7:40 a.m. Tuesday on the Hometown Headlines Radio Edition on WRGA 1470 AM.
 
Dalton publisher: Rome printing improves the publication
-The switch, says Dalton publisher William Bronson, 'doubled my color capacity,"

Pizza and frozen yogurt? At least two locations of the new Fox's Pizza Den coming to Armuchee now offer the frozen yogurt. 
 
What's ahead in Bartow County.
 
Latest updates from the county jail.

Berry College's Mountain Day this weekend.
-Events begin Friday and continue Saturday with a series of reunions, meetings and the "grand march." Can't be there? You can watch the grand march live this year and even interact with Twitter. Details

John McCellan's high school football picks. 
-Key games Friday as subregion play begins; look for Adairsville, Calhoun to stay perfect. Armuchee-Pepperell game is huge.

     

Your latest forecast
-Tuesday: 20% rain chance, high of 83, low of 58.
-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 82, low of 57.
-Thursday: Sunny, high of 84, low of 57.  

 

John McCellan's next high school football picks will post Tuesday morning.

   

Norman's No-Nos: Norman Arey picks 10 college losers for this weekend. Look for his latest picks on Friday.


Rome Braves set 2012 schedule.  

Monday, September 26, 2011

Chattahoochee Tech's ADN Program Now a Fully Approved Program

The Georgia Board of Nursing announced this month that Chattahoochee Technical College's Associate Degree Nursing program has now been granted full approval. The news comes on the heels of the recent announcement that the program's first graduating class recently achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the state licensing examination.

According to the Chattahoochee Technical College Dean of Health Sciences Ron Webb, that 100 percent pass rate was one of the deciding factors in the approval for the program that only received its initial approval in 2009. The Georgia Board of Nursing requires that programs have a first time pass rate of 80 percent or more to move from the developing program status to full approval.

The first 18 students in the program graduated in June 2011. Since that time they have been studying for the NCLEX exam, which is designed to test knowledge, skills and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level. NCLEX examination results are an important component used by boards of nursing to make decisions about licensure. National statistics show that so far this year about 89 percent of first time test takers of the NCLEX have passed.

"This represents a great accomplishment for this group of students, and it is a testament to the quality of instruction and dedication of the nursing faculty," Webb said. "We are all very proud of this group of students."

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Chattahoochee Technical College offers nursing courses over six semesters. In addition, there are six prerequisite courses and five core courses that must be completed before admission to the program that is taught at the Austell campus of the college.

Admission to the program is extremely competitive with more than 300 applications for the most recent cohort. Only 48 were chosen. Most of the students accepted into the program demonstrated a grade point average of 3.75 or higher. The students' TEAS scores, a program admissions test of 170 multiple-choice questions in the areas of English, math, science and reading, was around 87 percent. The current class is scheduled to graduate in July 2012 with the next class starting August 2011.

For more information on this and other programs at Chattahoochee Technical College, call 770-528-4492 or visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu.

It's Sept. 26 -- and it looks like Dec. 25 at some stores. More on those new legislative boundaries. Jail reports. 60% rain chance today.

 
The Buzz of Northwest Georgia: Click here
-On Sept. 26, it is looking a lot like Dec. 25. With three months to go, some local retailers already have Christmas displays front and center.
-Lines in the clay: Those redrawn congressional and state House districts continue to cause a rumble -- from some Floyd Republicans.
-Shorter BP station to be removed, replaced by new one with 'food service and drive-through.' Dunkin Donuts perhaps?
-Dollar Tree due to open today at Etowah Crossing.
-Prime time for downtown Rome as state association arrives for conference.

    

Your latest forecast:
-Monday: 60% rain chance, high of 83, low of 57.
-Tuesday: 20% rain chance, high of 80, low of 54.
-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 81, low of 54.
 

What's ahead in Bartow County.

 

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.

 

John McCellan's next high school football picks will post Tuesday morning.

   

Norman's No-Nos: Norman Arey picks 10 college losers for this weekend. Look for his latest picks on Friday.

 

Georgia High School Football Daily.  


Rome Braves set 2012 schedule.    

Friday, September 23, 2011

First day of fall a wet one with 1.1 inches of rain; weekend clearing. Big honors for Bartow thanks to Toyo's growth. Latest jail reports. Norman Arey's college football picks

 
1.10 inches of rain since 7 a.m. Thursday with more due through midmorning as another band of showers moves through. Weekend: Slight chance of rain, highs in the upper 70s to low 80s.

Big honors for Cartersville-Bartow County economic development office thanks to Toyo Tire expansion.

   

'Heavy Metal' returning to Tellus, including tricked out vehicle for tracking tornadoes.

 

DOT board member Jeff Lewis to address Bartow GOP on Saturday.

   

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.

 

John McCellan's football picks for tonight, Saturday

   

Norman's No-Nos: Norman Arey picks 10 college losers for this weekend. So far this season, he's been 90 percent on target.

 

Georgia High School Football Daily.  

-Latest edition looks at playoff options.

 

Rome Braves set 2012 schedule.    

-Redneck rummage sale this Saturday.    

Thursday, September 22, 2011

State-generated jobs increase in Georgia, cited as nation’s no. 2 site location choice. Bartow's Toyo expansion among biggest deals

Media release: Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that jobs and corporate investment generated by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) increased in Georgia during the state's 2011 fiscal year. GDEcD-assisted companies invested $4.39 billion in communities throughout the state, an increase of 17 percent, and created 22,022 jobs, an increase of 12 percent. The state's fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

"The increase in jobs and investment brings greater opportunities and a higher quality of life to Georgians," said Gov. Deal. "Our successes stem from our commitment to a competitive business environment, and we're going to keep working hard toward a full economic recovery in Georgia."

The announcement of the state's increase in corporate activity coincides with the release of a national survey ranking Georgia No. 2 in the U.S. as a site selection location of choice. The survey of site selection consultants by Area Development magazine, a leading economic development trade publication, also ranks the state No. 1 for workforce as a factor in consultants' decisions, No. 2 for infrastructure, and tied for No. 4 for economic recovery. In individual categories, the state ranked No. 1 for both labor availability and workforce development programs. Georgia is ranked among the top five states in the country in 10 of the publication's 12 categories (www.areadevelopment.com/top-states).

"We're very gratified by this recognition," said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Cummiskey. "CEOs and other company decision-makers tell us over and over again that our business assets, like our workforce and Georgia Quick Start, are head and shoulders above those of other states, and the hard results of our last fiscal year bear that out."

"This is great news once again for Georgia, especially coming so soon after being announced a winner of our prestigious Silver Shovel' award for jobs creation and investment," said Area Development Editor Gerri Gambale. "With the announcement of this 'Top States' survey, site

prospects worldwide will know what this influential group of leading location consultants are thinking, what locations they are considering for their next expansion and relocation projects and what states they see as future investment potential. This now creates a win-win situation for Georgia."

GDEcD's Global Commerce Division increased the number of projects it landed in FY11 to 360, up from 338. As usual, expansions of existing Georgia companies accounted for around two-thirds (230) of that number, creating 69 percent of the total jobs number and 74 percent of total investment. New company locations made up 36 percent of total projects in FY11.

Fifty-nine percent of projects were landed outside Georgia's major metro areas of Atlanta, Macon, Savannah, Augusta and Columbus, and accounted for 55 percent of the total jobs. International companies assisted by GDEcD's project managers made 46 investments, creating more than 1,500 jobs and $379 million in investment.

With GDEcD's help, companies located or expanded throughout the state in FY11. The company announcing the most jobs was Gulfstream Aerospace, for its 1,000-job expansion in Chatham County. Toyo Tire North America generated the most investment – $910 million – with its Bartow County expansion. Other high-return investments were a 450-job expansion by FedEx Ground in Gwinnett County, a 400-job location by Systemax in Jackson County, a $200-million investment by First Quality Baby Products in Bibb County, and a 250-job expansion by Triumph Aerostructures (formerly Vought) in Baldwin County.

"We would not have these kinds of successes without the dedication of our project managers and our many public and private partners," said Gretchen Corbin, Deputy Commissioner for Global Commerce at GDEcD. "Their hard work helps companies understand how our business assets make Georgia the best choice for their future growth."

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts events and location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.georgia.org.

Top 10 projects located in Fiscal Year 2011 by the Georgia Department of Economic Development:

COMPANY

JOBS

INVESTMENT

COUNTY

TYPE

Gulfstream Aerospace

1,000

$500 million

Chatham

Expansion

Toyo Tire North America

520

$910 million

Bartow

Expansion

FedEx Ground, Inc.

450

$55 million

Gwinnett

Expansion

Systemax

400

$15 million

Jackson

New

First Quality Baby Products

375

$200 million

Bibb

New

Triumph Aerostructures

250

$17 million

Baldwin

Expansion

Electrolux

218

$2.5 million

Richmond

New

Pratt & Whitney

180

n/a

Muscogee

Expansion

Hanil E-Hwa

173

$8.45 million

Troup

New

Phillips Van Heusen

150

n/a

Henry

New

 

 

 

  



If you would rather not receive future communications from Georgia Dept. of Economic Development, let us know by clicking here.
Georgia Dept. of Economic Development, 75 Fifth St. NW Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30308 United States

Cartersville Medical Center has been named one of the nation's top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America.

Media release:  Cartersville Medical Center has been named one of the nation's top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America.  Cartersville Medical Center was recognized by The Joint Commission based on data reported about evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care.

                Cartersville Medical Center is one of only 405 U.S. hospitals and critical access hospitals earning the distinction of top performer on key quality measures for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance.  Inclusion on the list is based on an aggregation of accountability measure data reported to The Joint Commission during the previous calendar year.  For example the first recognition program is based on data that were reported for 2010.

                To be recognized as a top performer on key quality measures an organization must meet two 95 percent performance thresholds.  First they must achieve a composite performance of 95 percent or above after the results of all the accountability measures for which they report data to The Joint Commission were factored into a single score, including measures that had less than 30 eligible cases or patients.  Second, they must meet or exceed a 95 percent performance target for every single accountability measure for which they report data, excluding any measures with less than 30 eligible cases or patients.

                Cartersville Medical Center was recognized for achieving these thresholds for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care.

                "Today, the public expects transparency in the reporting of performance at the hospitals where they receive care, and The Joint Commission is shining a light on the top performing hospitals such as Cartersville Medical Center that have achieved excellence on a number of vital measures of quality of care," says Mark R. Chassin, M.D., FACP, M.P.P., M.P.H., president, The Joint Commission.

                "We understand what matters most to patients at Cartersville Medical center — safe, effective care.  That's why Cartersville Medical Center has made a commitment to accreditation and to positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes.  Cartersville Medical Center is proud to be named to the list of The Joint Commission's Top Performers on Key Quality Measures," says Keith Sandlin, chief executive officer, Cartersville Medical Center.

                In addition to being included in the release of The Joint Commission's "Improving America's Hospitals" annual report: (http://www.jointcommission.org/improving_america%E2%80%99s_hospitals_-_the_joint_commission%E2%80%99s_annual_report_on_quality_and_safety_2011/), Cartersville Medical Center will be recognized on The Joint Commission's Quality Check website (www.qualitycheck.org).

Bartow's jobless rate climbs to 10.8% in August. Stormy start to last day of summer. Georgia Highlands' student center rising quickly. Jail reports.

 
Jobless rate in Bartow County rises to 10.8 in August. 
-Latest employment report released just hours before the start of the third annual Shorter career at The Forum (9 a.m.-noon today)

Georgia Highlands' student center on the rise

-Latest photos as crews aim for Fall 2012 opening.

   

Stormy start to the final full day of sweltering summer of 2011

-Fall starts at 5:04 a.m. Friday. High of 82 today.     

 

Public health restaurant inspection scores.

-Just about a hole-in-one for Putt-Putt's restaurant inspection score. Lots of high marks in Bartow this week, too.

   

Tellus, others keeping an eye on satellite falling back to earth:

 -NASA: Friday 're-entry' likely but over North America.

 

What's ahead in Bartow County.

 

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.

 

John McClellan's high school predictions. Football 

-Dubious distinction for Rome/Floyd teams last Friday; 7 local teams off this week; Shrine Game is Saturday at Model High

 

Norman's No-Nos: Norman Arey 

-Norman Arey's next round of picks of college football losers is due Friday.

 

Georgia High School Football Daily.

Rome Braves set 2012 schedule.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

What's ahead in Bartow: new band competition; traffic updates; latest jail reports. Ready Georgia: An app for that. 50% rain chance.

 
What's ahead in Bartow County including traffic updates, new high school band contest, latest jail reports and upcoming meetings.
 
Teriyaki Passion opens today at Midtown Crossing

-One key improvement for latest restaurant at this site: drive-through service.

-BP wins zoning variance for Shorter Avenue site. Dunkin' next? 

   

Ready Georgia launches new emergency app

 -Both iPhone, Android users can add handy feature for home, on-the-road use.

 -NWGA Public Health's Dr. Wade Sellers: What we can learn from movie Contagion.

 

Your latest forecast:
-Wednesday: 50% rain chance, high of 79, low of 63.
-Thursday: 40% rain chance, high of 80, low of 64.
-Friday: 40% rain chance, high of 75, low of 57. 

John McClellan's high school predictions. Football 

-Dubious distinction for Rome/Floyd teams last Friday; 7 local teams off this week; Shrine Game is Saturday at Model High

 

Norman's No-Nos: Norman Arey 

-Norman Arey's next round of picks of college football losers is due Friday.

 

Georgia High School Football Daily.

Rome Braves set 2012 schedule.    

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

GaDOE Recognizes Kingston Elementary in Exemplary & Exceptional Library Media Programs

Media release: State School Superintendent, Dr. John Barge is pleased to announce the 2011 Exemplary and Exceptional Library Media Programs for the state of Georgia.

The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Division of Academic Standards solicited applications from schools.  Library Media Programs in three schools (elementary, middle and high) were selected for this recognition.  Library Media Specialists and GaDOE staff selected the recipients based on the school's written application, the principal's narrative, a possible telephone interview and/or an on-site visit.  This program is an opportunity to describe how the Library Media Program is meeting school improvement goals and improving student achievement.

To view the Self Evaluation Rubric which gives the criteria for the designation, click here.

Recipients

Exemplary
Elementary:
Parsons   Gwinnett    Library Media Specialist (LMS): Suzanne Skeen   Principal: Charlotte Sadler
Compton   Cobb    LMS Peggy Milam-Creighton    Principal: Liz Murphy

Middle
Palmer   Cobb    LMS Janell McClure   Principal: Cathy Wentworth
Midway   Liberty  LMS Cristina Dover    Principal: Debra Frazier
Clarke   Clarke   LMS Shawn Hinger    Principal: Tad MacMillan

High
Glynn Academy  Glynn  LMS Melissa Purcell and Amy Bradley    Principal: Scott Spence
Sequoyah   Cherokee    LMS Jan Reed and Elease Franchini   Principal:  Elliott Berman


Exceptional
Elementary
Kingston   Bartow    LMS Lori Pilgrim   Principal Stefany Howard
Medlock Bridge   Fulton   LMS Leigh Martin    Principal Margaret Pupillo

Middle
Ridgeview Charter   Fulton  LMS Taylor Wickline    Principal   Lisa Hastey
Little Mill   Forsyth  LMS Anna Murdock    Principal  Connie McCrary
Heard Middle    Heard  LMS Glovis South    Principal  Mike Roberts

90% chance of rain today; 40% Wednesday, Thursday. Latest traffic notes. Jail updates. Covered Bridge Fall Festival Oct. 15

 

Your latest forecast:
-Tuesday: 90% rain chance, high of 74, low of 64.
-Wednesday: 40% rain chance, high of 80, low of 61.
-Thursday: 40% rain chance, high of 83, low of 65.

 

Latest traffic notes for Bartow County.

 

Bartow County Jail reports.

 

Chattahoochee Technical College's Associate Degree Nursing

 

Oct. 15: The City of Euharlee's annual Covered Bridge Fall Festival is from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m

 

PBS' 'NewsHour' producer to be at Shorter career fair Thursday.
-Nearly 100 employers due as well, 9 a.m.-noon, at Forum
Smashburger gets closer to Rome (Kennesaw).

John McClellan's high school predictions. Football  

-Dubious distinction for Rome/Floyd teams last Friday; 7 local
teams off this week; Shrine Game is Saturday at Model High.


Today's Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m., WRGA 1470 AM:
-Join us today for Mike Morton on the success of the Constitution Festival and Tea Party update; Rhonda Wallace on Citizens First Bank's 100th anniversary; and Diane Lewis of The Lewis Chemical Co. of Rome and recent Inc. rating. 

 

Norman's No-Nos: Norman Arey 

-Norman Arey's next round of picks of college football losers is due Friday.

 

Georgia High School Football Daily.

Rome Braves set 2012 schedule.      

 

Monday, September 19, 2011

CTC's first ADN Class has 100% pass rate

Media release: The 18 students who received their degrees in June were already a history making class, as they were the first to graduate from Chattahoochee Technical College's Associate Degree Nursing program. Now they done it again with a perfect first time pass rate on the national certification exam that is the last step before officially calling them registered nurses.

All 18 have passed the NCLEX exam, which is designed to test knowledge, skills and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level. NCLEX examination results are an important component used by boards of nursing to make decisions about licensure. National statistics show that so far this year about 89 percent of first time test takers of the NCLEX have passed.

"This is a huge testament to the caliber of students and instruction at Chattahoochee Technical College," said Interim Program Director Quetina Pittman. "They are setting the precedent for future classes in this program."

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Chattahoochee Technical College, which began in January 2009, offers nursing courses over six semesters. In addition, there are six prerequisite courses and five core courses that must be completed before admission to the program that is taught at the Austell campus of the college.

Admission to the program is extremely competitive with more than 300 applications for the most recent cohort. Only 58 were chosen. Most of the students accepted into the program demonstrated a grade point average of 3.75 or higher. The students' TEAS scores, a program admissions test of 170 multiple-choice questions in the areas of English, math, science and reading, was around 87 percent.

For more information on this and other programs at Chattahoochee Technical College, call 770-528-4492 or visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu.

40-50% rain chance today, Tuesday. Latest jail reports. Regional buzz. Gas prices down 8 cents.

 

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia:  Click here 

-Velocity shaping up for October opening on Second Avenue.

-Dunkin' Donuts' rumor growing as Shorter lot is improved.

-'Never stop improving' is new slogan for Lowe's; app next.

-Rome to decide on Nov. 8 alcohol vote. Is it worth $23,000? (No). 

 

Big crowd for 36th edition of Rose Lawn's arts festival.

-Annual People's Choice Awards results.

 

Your latest forecast:
-Monday: 40% rain chance, high of 75, low of 62.
-Tuesday: 50% rain chance, high of 80, low of 62.
-Wednesday: 50% rain chance, high of 81, low of 62. 

 

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.

 

What's ahead in Bartow County.

 

Gas prices drop 9 cents from last week, still 84 cents above what we paid a year ago.

 

Atlanta Falcons rally, beat Vick, Eagles, 35-31.

 

John McClellan's high school predictions. Football 

-This Friday's picks to be posted Tuesday morning.

 

Norman's No-Nos: Norman Arey 

-Norman Arey's next round of picks of college football losers is due Friday.

 

Georgia High School Football Daily.

Rome Braves set 2012 schedule. 

Sunday, September 18, 2011

36th edition of Art Festival at Rose Lawn a hit

 

Annual People's Choice Awards announced; Johnny Mitchell's, Tellus, Periwinkle take top spots

 
Media release: The People's Choice Awards were presented Saturday by the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau. 
 
-Receiving the most votes for Best Restaurant in Bartow County was Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse. 
 
-Best Shoppe was awarded to Periwinkle in downtown Cartersville. 
 
-The winner of Best Attraction has justly received the most visitors of any paid admission attraction in the county. This year's People's Choice Award was once again presented to Tellus Science Museum.
 
 
 
Coming in second place for the awards was Swheat Market Deli, Spring Place Pottery and Artists Gallery and the Booth Western Art Museum.
 
 
 
The CVB also presented its Hospitality Heroes Awards. The following were honored for their contributions to the local tourism industry:
 
-Bartow County Government and the municipalities of Cartersville, Adairsville, Kingston, Euharlee, Emerson and White received the Bentley Award for Economic Development through Tourism for their commitment of SPLOST to the creation and development of the new Clarence Brown Conference Center.
 
-Jean Belew, founder of the Bartow County Genealogical Society and former officer of the Cultural Arts Alliance was honored with the Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts. The late Don Kordecki, namesake for this award, was instrumental in choosing Belew as an honoree in 2010.
 
-Sam Shah, owner of the Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center in Cartersville, received the 2011 Hotelier of the Year award, chosen by a panel of Georgia Tourism professional from across Georgia.
 
-Monique Vidoli, a member of the Cartersville Grand Gardeners, received the Distinguished Volunteer of the Year award for her weekly devotion to the care of the living plants throughout the Clarence Brown Conference Center.
 
-Juried Artist Awards at the 36th Annual Arts Festival at Rose Lawn were as follows:
 
Best of Show – Terri Paulk, Cartersville – Walk With Hymn wooden staffs
 
-1st Place Fine Arts – Kyle & Katie Pace, Alcoa TN – Jewelry
 
-1st Place Heritage Crafts – Jack Anderson, Marietta – hand carved wooden bowls
 
-2nd Place Fine Arts – Lynette Hinman, Charlotte NC – Drawings with Rose Petals
 
-2nd Place Heritage Crafts – Rhonda & Steve Walker of Crossville AL – Birdhouses
 
-3rd Place Fine Arts – Eva Marie Burns of Cartersville – Mixed Media Paintings
 
-3rd Place Heritage Crafts – Joe Lawson of Ballground -- woodturning
 
 

Friday, September 16, 2011

Gas prices finally moving the right way -- for now. Temperatures definitely on the decline; 68 today. Hurricanes win. McClellan and Arey football picks.

 

Gas prices finally heading in the right direction -- but for how long? -We're still paying 84 cents more a gallon today than a year ago.

 

Toys R Us Express returning to Calhoun Premium Outlets in October.

 

Today's buzz:

-GPB takes a look at possible 411 Connector detour.

-Latest updates from the chamber of commerce.

 

Bartow County Jail reports.

 

Big win for Hurricanes: Cartersville 21, Ringgold 7.

 

John McClellan's high school predictions. Football
-Region, subregion play begins Friday night; Unity Christian, Adairsville, Calhoun will move to 3-0; nail-biter for Armuchee.

-Links to radio, web broadcasts of tonight's games.

-Get tonight's scores at www.wrgarome.com 

 

Norman's No-Nos:

-Norman Arey's picks for this weekend's college football losers will post Friday morning exclusively on Hometown Headlines.

Shorter Hawks open home season at Barron Stadium this Saturday.

 

Shorter Hawks' home opener Saturday at Barron Stadium.

-Shorter says thanks to SPLOST voters for stadium emhancements.

-Game preview: Hawks vs. Pikesville, 1:30 p.m. kickoff.  

 

Atlanta Braves honor top minor leaguers, including several from Rome. 

Thursday, September 15, 2011

700 fewer jobs in Floyd in August vs. 8/10; first-time jobless claims down 37% Flu shots available in Bartow County. Latest jail reports. Cooler days ahead. Dining scores.

700 fewer jobs in Floyd County last month vs. August 2010
-But first-time jobless claims drop by more than a third vs. July.
-State's jobless rate rises to six-month high.
-Regional career fair set for Sept. 22 at The Forum in Rome.
Flu shots available at county health department.
 
Latest Bartow County Jail reports.
 
Coosa Realtor severely burned in home explosion.

Latest public health restaurant inspection scores: Lots of scores in the upper 90s; Cartersville senior center gets low marks.
Halloween City's twin openings signal start of spooky season.
-Mall to greet trick-or-treaters.
-Euharlee has something scary on the way.

 

Your latest forecast:
-Thursday: 20% rain chance, high of 80, low of 57.
-Friday: 20% rain chance, high of 72, low of 52.
-Saturday: 20% rain chance, high of 74, low of 58.

 

John McClellan's high school predictions. Football
-Region, subregion play begins Friday night; Unity Christian, Adairsville, Calhoun will move to 3-0; nail-biter for Armuchee.

 

Norman's No-Nos:

-Norman Arey's picks for this weekend's college football losers will post Friday morning exclusively on Hometown Headlines.

 

Shorter Hawks open home season at Barron Stadium this Saturday.

 

Georgia High School Football Daily.

Rome Braves set 2012 schedule.