Bartow's first-time jobless claims drop in December; mixed regional picture. Latest jail reports. Latest politics. Warmer, wetter weekend weather.

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Jobs snapshot from December 2011
-400 fewer jobs in Floyd vs. December 2011.
-First-time jobless claims drop in Bartow County by 15% vs. last month.
-State's unemployment rate drops to 9.7%

Politics:
-Gingrey, Graves oppose latest attempt to boost U.S. debt.
-Isakson drafts letter to Obama following Keystone decision.

 

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.

Dining:
-Public Health restaurant inspection scores: Lots of lows, a few highs in Floyd, Bartow, Polk, Gordon, Chattooga counties.

Your forecast: Warmer and wetter by the weekend.

-Thursday: High of 56, low of 37.

-Friday: 30-60% rain chance, high of 60, low of 53.

-Saturday: 60% rain chance, high of 68, low of 48.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition,  7-9 a.m. weekdays
-On Rome's News Talk WRGA 1470 AM; click to listen online.
-Please join our guests today including Bill Byars of the Seven Hills Rotary Club on the Berry-Shorter basketball game; WSB TV anchor Justin Farmer. a Darlington grad and Friday's career day speaker; and Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

 

Rome Braves
-Fredi Gonzalez, manager of the Atlanta Braves, to speak at 10th Annual Hot Stove Gathering Jan. 30 at The Forum. 
-10th season home-opener is April 12 at State Mutual Stadium.

Shorter men's basketball team No. 1 in NAIA

-For the first time in program history, the Shorter men's basketball team assumes the No. 1 ranking in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll. Hawks 

-Jan. 19: Shorter plans 'white out' as Hawks play no. 4 Southern Poly at 8 p.m. in the Winthrop-King Centre.