First-time jobless claims drop 64% in January vs. a year ago in Bartow. LakePoint: 40 sports on one campus? Regional Public Health restaurant scores. 70% rain chance today; warmer weekend ahead. Later today: Bartow County Jail reports.

For more on these updates and for today's latest headlines, please see www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

Ware Mechanical weather: -Expect at least a  half-inch of rain starting later this morning and stretching into Friday. Areas to our south with get perhaps three times that much. High today just below 50; mid to upper 60s this weekend. Today's headlines:    800-job gain for Rome/Floyd in January vs. a year earlier but down 600 jobs from December. First-time jobless claims tumble -- except in Polk. Huge year begins for LakePoint with plans now taking in 40 sports, expanding sports/health compenent, year-round operations. Qualifying: May 20 ballot getting busy; fall showdown for two state House seats (so far). Latest candidate bios. Third annual 'Tee Off Against Child Abuse,' set for April 25, named in honor of longtime supporter Jim Bishop. Floyd County Jail reports. Updated at 4 and 8 a.m., and 8 p.m. Public Health restaurant scores for Floyd, Bartow counties.   Today's jail reports.

Chick-fil-A Dwarf House Sports Report     Calhoun Boys play Greater Atlanta Christian Friday afternoon for Class AA basketball title. -Community pep rally tonight.   Georgia Highlands Chargers in Final Four starting Friday night.   March 29: Atlanta Braves v. Future Stars game at State Mutual Stadium. Tickets on sale Saturday.   Links to latest updates from Berry, Shorter, Georgia Northwestern and Georgia Highlands.

Your  Ware Mechanical forecast: -Thursday: 70% to 80% rain chance, high of 49, low of 38. -Get your three-day forecast and updated weather links at Hometown Headlines.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live at 98.7 FM, 1470 AM or wrga.streamon.fm  -Please join our guests Thursday: -U.S. Rep.  Jack Kingston on the impact on little funding for the Savannah Harbor project. -Matt Pearce from the Small Business Development Center on the growth of mobile advertising and what it means to you. -Lisa Williams from Georgia Power on new customer payment options at Walmart, Kroger and other stores.