1.65 million-square-foot industrial park clears regional hurdle. Pedestrian dies in nighttime accident. General Assembly wraps up session. Storms due Easter Sunday. Latest Public Health dining scores

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

 

Cassville-White Industrial Park gets quick regional OK
-Company already marketing site just off I-75.

 

Pedestrian dies in Thursday night accident.

General Assembly convenes 2013 session.
-Ethics legislation passes; gun bill doesn't.

Berry Athletics Director Todd Brooks leaving
-Brooks credited with college's huge gains in athletics, start of football program, shift to NCAA, other mileposts in 16 years.
-Similar post at Virginia school starts this summer.

Thursday restaurant inspection scores for Floyd, Bartow.

Easter weekend forecast: storms due Sunday

-Good Friday: 20% chance of rain, high of 65, low of 46.
-Saturday: 40% to 80% chance of rain, high of 68, low of 53.

-Easter Sunday: 70% chance of storms, high of 71, low of 47.

 

Space-walking Shuttle astronaut due at Tellus April 15.

Latest jail reports. 

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM,

7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online: wrga.streamon.fm

-Please join our guests including:

-Norman Arey, veteran sports essayist, on what's next for the Sweet 16 and the NCAA basketball championship.

-Hometown Headlines/WRGA News Roundtable where Kevin Karel, Andrew Carter and sometimes Nelle Reagan we review the headlines from the past seven days and put it all into perspective.

 

Bartow's jobless rate takes big dive in February. Latest local politics. Dining: Another short run for a local restaurant; latest Public Health restaurant scores for the region. Easter weekend forecast: warm and wet.

For these and today's latest stories, please see www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

Bartow's jobless rate drops to 9.0% in February.
-Region shows similar decreases vs. January as well as February 2012 reports.
-Health, education among job sectors that grew

 

Politics
-U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey's bid for the U.S. Senate opens up the 11th Congressional District seat for the first time since 2002.
-Gingrey will join us live at 8:50 a.m. this morning onHometown Headlines Radio Edition on WRGA 1470 AM. Listen live at wrga.streamon.fm
-Bob Barr to run for Gingrey's House seat? The former congressman tweeted this: " I will hold a news conference (Thursday) at Adventure Outdoors where I will make a political announcement."

Dining

-DandyLyons closing Saturday on Broad Street.
-Weekly Public Health restaurant inspection scores forFloyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga counties, including extensive updates from Wednesday

Education:
-Webcam offers ongoing look of rising Shorter dormitory
Shorter plans to have the new dormitory in full service for the fall semester. Background
-Four students from Georgia Highlands College named to All-Georgia Academic Team.

-Shorter University will honor three alumni -- Dr. Jamison "Jamie" Roberts, Carol Williams Kirby and Paul Bowley -- with its 2012 Distinguished Alumni Awards.
-The Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals recently named Berry College alum Brian Ridley 2013 Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year. 

 

You might need umbrellas for those Easter egg hunts

-Holy Thursday: Sunny, high of 63, low of 31

-Good Friday: 20% chance of rain, high of 64, low of 45.

-Saturday: 40% to 50% chance of rain, high of 65, low of 51.

-Easter Sunday: 60% chance of rain, high of 71, low of 53.

 

Carterville police offer new citizens academy.

 

Latest jail reports. 

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM,

7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online: wrga.streamon.fm

-Please join our guests including:

-Kristi Kent from parks & rec on May's Roman Roast on the River celebration.

-U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey on his running for the Senate in 2014.

Spring thaw begins; upper 50s today; soggy Easter weekend. Gingrey's Senate bid official later today. New interchange for I-75 in Bartow. Latest Public Health restaurant scores

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

 

Finally: Sunny, upper 50s as thaw continues; wet weekend
-Our normal high for this time of year is 69 degrees with a low of 43.
-Soggy Easter weekend: We have a 40% to 60% chance of rain Saturday and Sunday.
-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 56, low of 32.
-Holy Thursday: Sunny, high of 60, low of 32.
-Good Friday: Partly sunny, high of 63, low of 43.

Gingrey makes it official this morning; GOP primary shaping up

-Updates on his announcement will post later this morning.
-Gingrey will join us at 8:40 a.m. Thursday on Hometown Headlines Radio Edition on WRGA 1470 AM. Listen live at wrga.streamon.fm

New look for Floyd's website
- In addition to easy links to Floyd's expanded social media offerings, it also has plenty of basics for patients as well as on-site video updates and testimonials.

New I-75 interchange for Bartow gets public review Thursday
-The Georgia Department of Transportation plans a public information open house from 5 to 7 p.m. to get feedback on a proposal to Third Army Road in southern Bartow County to a proposed new interchange at I-75 north of Lake Allatoona.

WRGA: Rome's McCord among county manager finalists.

Tuesday's Public Health restaurant inspection reports for Floyd, Bartow counties.

 

Latest jail reports. 

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM,

7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online: wrga.streamon.fm

-Please join our guests including:

-Chris Giddens of Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church on how to explain Easter's real reason to your kids.

-Mike Crego of Wells Fargo Advisorson the wild weeks of Wall Street and what's next. 

-Jeff Lewis, District 11 representative on the State Transportation, on the new LakePoint roads and options for the 411 Connector.

LakePoint's new road could be big piece of development puzzle. Corporate layoffs at Mohawk? Weekend chase suspect dies. 20% snow chance this morning; more cold tonight. Monday's restaurant scores.

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

 

Layoffs amid Mohawk's corporate offices in Calhoun?

-Those are the reports we're getting, with job cuts said to number anywhere from 75 to close to 200. Also under way: general belt tightening. We've had calls and emails into Mohawk executives since Thursday with no responses.

 

Keep an eye on what happens at LakePoint next:
-Within funding for a 1.641-mile road project now committed and only some contract signing yet to come, keep an eye on what's next at LakePoint Sporting Community and Town Center. The road has been deemed a must by those awaiting development at the proposed sporting/retail venture in Emerson.

 

Suspect in weekend dispute, chase dies from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

 

Monday's Public Health restaurant inspection reports. Turner McCall restaurant scores a rare 67; average of last five inspections, including Monday's, is 89.2.

Latest on the raid of seven Greater Rome convenience stores Monday by a task force investigating illegal gaming.

 

20% chance of snow through 11 this morning; another blustery day
-Freeze warning until 10 a.m.; again from 2 until 10 a.m. Wednesday.
-Tuesday: 20% snow chance, high of 45, low of 29. Gusts: 25 mph.
-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 54, low of 29.
-Holy Thursday: Sunny, high of 60, low of 32.

 

Latest jail reports.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM,

7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests including:

-State Rep. Katie Dempsey on new statewide efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect.

-Henry Parkman, representing Cartersville Ranch, on new environmental issues with the 411 Connector route and updates on a revised route.

New road to LakePoint Sporting Community clears another hurdle

Media release: The Georgia Department of Transportation and the State Transportation Board are paving the way for economic development and job creation in Bartow County. Georgia DOT recently approved the preparation of a county contract covering the construction of a new road to connect the Lakepoint Sporting Community and Town Center, currently under construction, to the state and national highway system near the city of Emerson, Bartow County.

 

"I am proud that through our working relationship with local and state officials that we can support Bartow County's efforts for job creation and economic development and help it meet its growing transportation needs," Georgia DOT Commissioner Keith Golden said.

 

While contract preparation has begun, construction on this new road project cannot begin until the contract has been signed and a work order issued.

 

The project includes 1.641 miles of roadway construction on the Lakepoint South Campus. It consists of two thirds of a mile of roadway to be called LakePoint Parkway, nearly half a mile of roadway to be named Bass Pro Parkway, and close to half a mile of widening and reconstruction on Old Allatoona Road.

 

A formal groundbreaking ceremony for the Lakepoint Sporting Community in Bartow County was held on Thursday, November 1, 2012. The $1 billion 1,200 acre sports complex could quickly put Bartow County and the city of Emerson on the national sports map, and help create about 26,000 jobs in Northwest Georgia by the time it opens in 2014.

 

"The Georgia DOT and those involved with the sports complex development in Bartow County should be congratulated," said State Transportation Board Member Jeff Lewis. Lewis who represents Georgia's Eleventh Congressional District, including Bartow County, has been instrumental in gaining approval for this project.

 

Funding for this new road project comes from the Georgia DOT's Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Program, which allows local governments to decide the types of project that are most beneficial to their local jurisdiction. Every year, Georgia DOT notifies local governments to submit requests for their local transportation needs. Funding for LMIG is allocated each fiscal year and is between 10 and 20 percent of the funding from the state motor fuel taxes collected in the preceding fiscal year. Funds for projects are distributed to local governments by a formula based on population and local road mileage. Funds can be rolled over for three fiscal years to assist with funding more expensive projects.

 

LMIG funds can only be used on improvements for roads and bridges within county, city or state rights-of-way. Eligible projects include—but are not limited to—safety, economic development, sidewalk, maintenance and bridge.

High winds, colder temperatures mean bitter wind chill today. Gas prices 26 cents lower than a year ago. Time to plot summer camps. Holy Week services begin

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

 

Keep an eye on today's wind chill; gusts so far at 25 mph

-Wind advisory until 6 p.m., gusts to 40 mph.

-Freeze warning set for 2 until 10 a.m. Tuesday.

-River watch: Oostanaula River was at 17.47 feet this morning

-Monday: Sunny, high of 46, low of 31.
-Tuesday: Some clouds, high of 48, low of 28.

-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 57, low of 29.

 

Georgia gas prices fall another six cents to $3.53 a gallon; now 26 cents a gallon lower than a year ago.
-Lowest gas prices in Northwest Georgia, according to Georgia Gas. See Hometown

 

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia. Click
-4,000-square-foot pad offered at new Publix center.
-Eighth Broad Street storefront goes on the market.

-On Rome Kids: More summer camps this year.

 

Northwest Georgia ready for Holy Week observances

 

Latest jail reports.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM,

7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests including:

-Amy Knitig and Nan Langford from the Exchange Club Family Resource Center.

-State Rep. Katie Dempsey on the final days of the 2013 General Assembly.

-Angela Russell of the University of Wisconsin on the Robert Wood Johnson County Health Ratings report that put Northwest Georgia in an uncomfortable spot.

Slight chance of snow this morning; big chance of rain this weekend, maybe storms, too. Latest dining scores. Gingrey on the mend -- and on the prowl? Weekend events

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

 

Slight chance of snow; soggy weekend ahead

-Our best shot at snow evaporates at 9 this morning and then we'll see our chances of rain skyrocket. Look for more than an inch through Saturday night. Some severe weather is possible over the weekend as well.

-We'll have updates as needed all weekend.

-Friday: 50% snow/rain chance, high of 52, low of 42. 90% rain chance tonight.

-Saturday: 60-80% chance of rain, high of 59, low of 48.

-Palm Sunday: 80% chance of rain, high of 63, low of 36.

 

Politics

-Even an arm in a sling isn't slowing down U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey in Washington -- or Senate campaign?

 

Dining

-Thursday's Public Health restaurant scores.

 

Latest jail reports.

 

What's ahead this weekend in Bartow County

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM,

7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests today including:

-The Rev. David Campbell of Trinity United Methodist Church in Rome on the real meaning of Holy Week.

-Hometown Headlines/WRGA News Roundtable: WRGA News Director Kevin Karel and Andrew Carter (and perhaps Nelle Reagan) join to put the last week's worth of headlines into context.

Late shot of winter weather due tonight, early Friday. Triple dose of good employment news here. Health report has low scores for Northwest Georgia. Latest Public Health inspections for Northwest Georgia

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

 

Late shot of winter weather due tonight, early Friday

-Freeze warning in effect until 11 this morning.Warning

-Thursday: High of 50, low of 35; 30% chance of snow, sleet.

-Friday: 50% snow/rain chance, high of 54, low of 42.

-Saturday: 80-90% chance of rain, high of 59, low of 46.

 

Triple dose of good news from latest state employment reports

-400 more jobs; first-time claims drop; state unemployment rate dips. Please see our expanded report.

 

Health report anything but good news for NW Georgia

-Of the state's 159 counties, Gordon had the best numbers -- and even those didn't crack the top third in overall health grades. Chattooga and Polk were in the bottom third of the rankings.

 

Cartersville City Council meets this morning at 9 a.m.

 

Dining:

-Rome restaurant scores 47 on latest Public Health inspection; Chattooga fast-food spot gets a 69.

 

PowerBall: No winner Wednesday; Saturday's jackpot at $320 million.

Latest jail reports.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM,

7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests today including:

-Karon Mauney on Saturday's Northwest Georgia Women's Expo.

-U.S. Rep. Tom Graves on the Veterans Benefits Fair set for Berry College on March 28.

-Amy Mitchell, acting director of Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism on the State of the News Media 2013 report.