Monday, December 31, 2012

March of Dimes Preps for First Baby of the New Year in Bartow County

(Media Release) In anticipation of the first baby born in Bartow County in 2013, the local March of Dimes has already delivered a care package to Cartersville Medical Center to be given to the infant's mother and father. The first baby born in Bartow County this year has a better chance for a long and healthy life than earlier generations, thanks to 75 years of health advances, made possible in part by the March of Dimes. 

 

The March of Dimes is providing newborn gift bags to the first baby born at hospitals across the state of Georgia.  The newborn gift bags include products from the March of Dimes, Johnson & Johnson, Medela, HALO, Kids R Kids and Carter's.  Cartersville Medical Center is excited to be a part of this endeavor to celebrate both the health advances of the March of Dimes and their 75th Anniversary. 

 

"We are excited to celebrate the first baby of the New Year this way," said Michele Beal, Community Director for the March of Dimes.

 

Today, about 4 million babies are born in the United States each year and the March of Dimes helps each and every one of them through its history of research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs. Babies born in 2013 can expect to live about 78 years, 14 years longer than an infant born in 1938, when the life expectancy was only 64. 

 

Babies born next year also will be screened for 31 genetic, metabolic, hormonal and/or functional conditions, including PKU (phenylketonuria) within the first hours of birth. March of Dimes grantee Dr. Robert Guthrie developed the mass PKU test, the first of many newborn screening tests infants now receive, and allowed for prevention of intellectual disabilities through diet. Today, every baby born in every state in the U.S. receives screening for dozens of conditions that could cause catastrophic health problems or death if not detected and then treated promptly at birth.

 

Many serious birth defects have declined over these 75 years. For example, neural tube defects or NTDs (birth defects of the brain and spine) have decreased by nearly one-third since 1998, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated that grain foods such as bread and pasta be fortified with folic acid.

 

Today, the March of Dimes is working to prevent the epidemic of premature birth, which affects nearly a half million babies every year.  Through Strong Start, a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the March of Dimes has been getting out the word that "Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait." The campaign urges women to wait for labor to begin on its own if their pregnancy is healthy, rather than scheduling delivery before 39 completed weeks of pregnancy.

 

Pictured:

Sitting left to right – Mary Ford, RNC; Michelle Anderson, RNC; and Dorie Long, ORT.

Standing left to right – Janet Queen, March of Dimes Board Member; Michele Beal, Community Director March of Dimes; Debra Arrington, RNC and Katie Bartlett Nurse Manager at Cartersville Medical Center.

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia: Bass Pro Shops just start of growth, Changes along Rockmart's main highway. Rain to ring in the New Year. Gas prices continue to rise. More updates

Please see www.bartowheadlines.com
The Buzz of Northwest Georgia. Buzz
-Bass Pro Shops: Another step in new phase of growth for region.
-Big changes along Rockmart's main highway.
-'Vision & Voice' to bring parents, educators, community together on Feb. 2 to discuss critical issues facing our youth

Rain to ring in the New Year: Up to 1-inch possible through Tuesday.
-Rain expected to begin after 8 p.m. in Northwest Georgia.
-New Year's Eve: High of 53, low of 41; 60% overnight.
-New Year's Day: 100% rain chance, high of 52, low of 39.

Retail gas prices climb as 2012 comes to end according to AAA Fuel Price Brief.

Coming up New Year's Day
-Jan. 1: Resolution Run advance registration closes Monday. The third annual event at Jackson Hill features 10K, 5K runs; a two-mile walk and a kids run.
-Jan. 1: Cave Spring's first Polar Bear Plunge has a 10:30 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. 'jump.' $25 donation for each participant. Proceeds benefit the fund to save the Cave Spring cabin.


Norman Arey's Norman No-Nos, Bowl Edition III: Now through Jan. 4, Norman sizes up who loses in a huge week of college bowl games, including Georgia and Georgia Tech.


Latest Public Health dining scores for Floyd, Bartow.

Latest jail reports.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Fred Kittle Resigning as Vice-Chairman of Bartow County Republican Party and Vice-Chairman of Fund Raising for the 11th District Georgia Republican Party

(Media Release) Fred Kittle, Bartow County School Board District 4 Member-Elect, said today that he has notified the Bartow County Republican Party and the 11th District Georgia Republican Party Executive Committees that by party rules he has resigned upon being elected.

"An officer who qualifies as a candidate for an elected public office for which no other Republican has also qualified shall be deemed to have resigned immediately upon being elected to that office." 

Louis DeBroux, Chairman of the Bartow GOP, said, "I can tell you without equivocation that Fred has been an enormous asset to the party."

John Wallace Chairman of the 11th District Georgia Republican Party,  said,  "Every member of the 11th District Committee will miss your work and advice as an officer."

Bob Shaw of the 11th District is quoted, "As you read of the problems that plague so many of our school boards, it is comforting to know that a man of your stature is freely assuming this responsibility.  Best of luck and God's blessings in your new assignment."

If anyone would like to attend the Oath of Office Swearing in Ceremony, it is Monday, December 31, at 10 am. The ceremony will be at the Bartow County Courthouse in Judge Smith's Courtroom D. Also being sworn in are our County Commissioner, Tax Commissioner, Clerk of Court, and another school board member.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Merry & Bright Bartow Photo Contest Seeking Submissions Now

(Media Release) Before you pack up those holiday decorations, take that new camera you received for Christmas and snap some photos to enter the Merry & Bright Bartow Photo Contest sponsored by the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).   Photographs must be submitted now through January 31, online at www.VisitCartersvilleGA.org.  Scroll down for submission form. 

Images should depict Christmas décor, holiday lights or unique winter scenes of local landmarks, attractions or natural areas.  Entries must be taken within Bartow County and/or its municipalities to be eligible. Only tiff or jpg, jpeg formats will be accepted.  Images should be high resolution with a minimum size 8x10", 300 dpi.

The contest will be judged by a panel of professional photographers and Georgia tourism leaders.  Winners will receive money, certificates, and public displays inside the Georgia Visitor Information Center at the Clarence Brown Conference Center.  Visa cards will be presented as follows:  First Place $100, Second Place $50, and Third Place $25. A People's Choice Award will also receive a $25 visa for the photograph that receives the most likes on the CVB's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/VisitCartersville.

Upon submission, all photographs become the property of the CVB for publication and reproduction in its destination marketing efforts.  All photographs submitted, without regard to winning status, have the opportunity to be published in national magazines and viewed on tourism websites such as www.exploregeorgia.org, www.VisitCartersvilleGA.org and www.BrownConferenceCenter.com.  

An image of Allatoona at night by local photographer Greg McCary will be published in the 2013 Georgia Travel Guide, Atlanta Magazine February/March 2013, and a new coffee table book My Georgia Home by Image Publishing January 2013.  The photograph is also seen by hundreds daily inside the Clarence Brown Conference Center.

The next celebrated photograph could be yours!  See www.VisitCartersvilleGA.org or call 770-387-1357 for more information.

 

90 employed so far at Lowe's center; 500 to go. Bartow board OK's deal for $24 million Bass Pro store. New owners for WYXC. Soggy holiday forecast.

For these updates and today's latest headlines, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:
 
Make that 90 and counting at Lowe's center: With a formal opening set most likely in April, hiring is continuing at the Lowe's Regional Distribution Center in Shannon just north of the Ga. 140/Ga. 53 intersection. At least 90 people are on staff.

New ownership for Cartersville's WYXC:
NewsTalk AM 1270 has a new ownership group, John and Brandi Underwood of Cartersville have partnered with Greg Detscher.

Bartow board unanimously OK's memorandum of understanding for $25 million Bass Pro Shops.
-Steve Taylor, Bartow County's incoming sole commissioner and resigning member of the development authority on the Bass Pro Shops Outpost coming to Emerson, talks about the deal on today's Hometown Headlines Radio Edition beginning at 7:40 a.m. on WRGA 1470 AM.

AAA Fuel Price Brief
: Gas prices making slight increase before year end. Georgia average up 4 cents to $3.19 last week. AAA


Norman Arey's Norman No-Nos, Bowl Edition III:
Now through Jan. 4, Norman sizes up who loses in a huge week of college bowl games, including Georgia and Georgia Tech. Arey


Thursday Public Health dining scores for Floyd, Bartow.

Latest jail reports.


Weather
-Friday: 30% rain chance, high of 51, low of 38; rain chance overnight: 100%
-Saturday: 30% chance of rain, high of 48, low of 27.
-Sunday: Sunny, high of 47, low of 25.
-New Year's Eve: 30% rain chance, high of 54, low of 38; 70% overnight.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests including:
-Steve Taylor, Bartow County's incoming sole commissioner and resigning member of the development authority on the Bass Pro Shops Outpost coming to Emerson.
-Hometown Headlines/WRGA News Roundtable as Andrew Carter and perhaps Nelle Reagan join us to discuss the top stories of 2012.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

November's jobless rate dips again. Regional Public Health restaurant scores. Sunny but cooler today; rain back Friday.

For these and today's latest headlines, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:

Jobless rate dips again in most local counties:
-The Georgia Department of Labor's November update shows the jobless rate dropped in four of five local counties and stayed the same in Chattooga County compared to October of this year. Even larger decreases were evident when compared to November 2011.
-Only troubling indicator: The number of people working in Floyd and Chattooga counties dropped last month vs. October. In Floyd, 100 fewer people had jobs in November vs. October but compared to November 2011, there were 200 additional jobs.

Today's Buzz
-Jan. 1: Resolution Run advance registration closes Monday.
-Jan. 1: Cave Spring's first Polar Bear Plunge has a 10:30 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. 'jump.'
-Early fourth birthday present for Tellus: Tellus Science Museum tops $100,000 matching challenge grant issued by the 3M Foundation for the museum's Vision for the Future campaign. 3M will match the challenge, raising more than $200,000 toward the $1.2 million campaign. Tellus turns four years old next month.
-Jan. 5: Bring One for the Chipper set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Home Depot. Hours 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
-Weekly Public Health dining scores from across Northwest Georgia. Dining

Weather

-Thursday: High of 47, low of low of 28.
-Friday: 30% rain chance, high of 53, low of 37; rain chance overnight: 90%
-Saturday: 20% chance of rain, high of 49, low of 24.

Latest jail reports.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests including:
-Cheryl Bishop, YMCA, on the 'One Warm Coat' project.
-Elaine Armstrong of Goodwill of North Georgia on final days to donate goods for 2012 taxes.
-Scotty Hancock, Floyd County's Emergency Management director, on our latest storm threat.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

The no-show storm: 2.2 inches of rain, gusts to 25 mph but no severe weather (whew). More wind today, colder tonight. Publix work to begin. Doll coming to RiverWalk

For these and today's latest updates, please see www.bartowheadlines.com
 
The storm that wasn't: Severe weather spares Georgia.

-Almost 2.2 inches of rain here in two days.

-Rivers rising but way below flood risk.

-Wind advisory today, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Gusts to 40 mph.

-Wednesday: 40% chance of rain, high of 50, low of 30. Wind advisory.

-Thursday: High of 48, low of low of 26.

-Friday: 20% rain chance, high of 55, low of 37; rain chance overnight: 80%

 

Work on Publix set to begin, according to Construction Journal. The store is at least 10 months away.

 

Doll coming to RiverWalk on Feb. 1

-Women's store has formal opening planned in one-time Sundae's venue.

-Restaurant coming to Etowah Crossing? Activity in one suite has merchants talking about new tenant; no names yet.

 

Latest county jail reports.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests Wednesday including:
-Scotty Hancock, Floyd County's Emergency Management director, on our latest storm threat.
-Mary Hardin Thornton of Keep Rome Floyd Beautiful on Bring One for the Chipper.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Winter arrives with big chill, 30-plus mph gusts. High of 45 today. Communities pause to remember Newtown victims. $1.16 billion deal for Mohawk.

For these and today's latest headlines, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:
 

Winter roars in with 35-mph gusts, low of 24 tonight
-Wind advisory through 7 tonight. Top gust so far: 31 mph.
-Wind chill at 27 degrees at 5 a.m.; cold, blustery day ahead.

-Friday: Sunny, high of 45, low of 24.
-Saturday: Sunny, high of 50, low of 25.
-Sunday: 20% rain chance, high of 58, low of 39.
-Christmas Day: 50% chance of rain, high of 61.


Fiscal cliff: Is there a plan C?
-With House Speaker John Boehner's "Plan B" basically dead on arrival because of a revolt within the Republican-dominated House, what's next? We're hoping to get some indication from representatives Tom Graves and Phil Gingrey later this morning.

 

$1.16 billion purchase made by Mohawk for tile maker

-Calhoun-based company now world's largest tile maker.

 

Remembering the Newtown shooting victims

-Local communities to observe 9:30 a.m. bell ringing to honor those lost at Sandy Hook Elementary.

 

Latest public health dining reports for Floyd, Bartow.

 

Latest county jail reports.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests today including:
-Buzz Wachsteter, Rome city commissioner, on latest local developments.
-Hometown Headlines/WRGA News Roundtable: Our week-in-review with News Director Kevin Karel and Andrew Carter.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

100% rain chance, gusts to 25 mph; wind advisory this evening. First-time jobless claims fall again. Latest Public Health restaurant inspection scores for NW Georgia. Latest business updates

For these and today's latest updates, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:
 
Final day of fall to offer perfect prelude to winter: Windy, rainy and colder air on the way.

-Look for a 100% chance of rain, gusts to 25 mph and temperatures in the upper 20s tonight.

-Severe weather should stay below I-20.

-Updates all day on Bartow Headlines.

 

November first-time unemployment claims plunge again

-Compared to October, all but Gordon County report decreases.

-Versus a year earlier, claims down by 25 to 50%

 

Cartersville City Council meets tonight at 7.

 

Latest Bartow County updates.

 

Somewhat of an extreme makeover for Tellus' Appalachiosaurus.

 

Northwest Georgia Public Health restaurant inspection scores: From a low of 67 for a new doughnut chain on Cedartown's Main Street to a series of perfect scores

 

Latest county jail reports.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests today including:

-Ken Davis of Georgia Emergency Management on the Dec. 22 storms, today's weather and the reason behind the Be Ready! campaign.

-Eddie Elsberry of Berry College on the eagles' nest and new webcam trained on them.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Two truck drivers dead following overnight collision on I-75. Storms possible Thursday; don't forget Dec. 22 tornadoes last year. Latest dining and jail reports

For these and today's latest stories, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:
 
Two tractor trailer drivers dead following overnight collision on I-75.
 
Rough weather near Christmas? Don't forget last Dec. 22:

-No one expected the tornado that ripped through part of West Rome near Shorter Avenue and Division Street before 5 p.m. last Dec. 22.
-While Thursday's forecast includes updates about gusts of 25 and thunderstorms as well as nearly three quarters of an inch of rain, there is no mention of severe weather

-Georgia has a "2 to 3" potential (scale of 1 to 8) of seeing tornadic conditions, according to The Weather Channel.
-Today:
High of 67, low of 41.
-Thursday: 100% rain chance, high of 53, low of 29.
-Friday: High of 49, low of 25.
-Christmas Day: 40% chance of rain, high of 55.

 

Historic 'The Columns' home in Between the Rivers District sold

 

Last week's NAIA National Football Championship generated $1.1 million in economic impact for Floyd County. Expanded report

 

Tuesday's Floyd, Bartow Public Health restaurant inspection scores.

 

Latest county jail reports.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests today including:

-Bill Peterson, athletics director at Shorter University, on the concept of a fall sports festival.

-Dr. Brad Bushnell of Harbin Clinic Orthopaedics on the 2013 Resolution Run set for Jan. 1.
-Julie Smith of Trails for Recreation and Economic Development.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Latest on late-night murder in Cartersville. Bartow Schools react to Newtown shootings. Sunny but cooler today; cold and rainy Thursday.

For these and today's latest headlines, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:
 
Updates on late-night Cartersville murder.
 
Bartow County Schools react to the Newtown shootings.
 
Graduation from Chattahoochee Tech special for Cass High alum.
 
Berry-Shorter Fall Festival sports rivalry proposed
-Shorter University Athletic Director Bill Peterson and staff have shared an idea with the NAIA Host Committee to establish an annual fall sports competition between Berry College and Shorter University, with 50 percent of the money raised going to a local charity.

Berry launches 'eagle cam' to watch national treasurers:

-Daylight permitting, you can watch the birds with a new webcam set up to track their activities.

 

With Christmas just a week away . . .

-Retail: Extended hours now through Christmas Eve.


Fiscal cliff debate
-Today at noon, the Rome TEA Party's Lunch Bunch will be held from noon until 1:30 p.m. at Fuddruckers. The program: "The Fiscal Cliff: Prevent it or Let Us Fall?"

-Calls mount to oust Boehner -- and replace him with Georgia's Tom Price: Joe McCutcheon of Ellijay, a staunch Republican who's earned the title as the nation's most prolific talk show caller (including Hometown Radio), is among those calling for the ouster of House Majority Leader John Boehner. McCutcheon's call is to replace him with Georgia Rep. Tom Price.

Rain returns Thursday; so do subfreezing overnight lows
-Tuesday: High of 56, low of 36.

-Wednesday: High of 67, low of 42; 20% rain chance overnight.
-Thursday: 90% rain chance, high of 59, low of 27.

 

Latest jail reports.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests today including:

-Bonnie and Jim Moore of the Rome chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, talking about the Newtown shootings.

-Jose Santamaria, executive director of Tellus Science Museum, debunking the Dec. 21 end-of-the-world chatter.