First look at local jobs at the midpoint of 2016. Wine, beer tastings at new Kroger? Stifling heat only going up. What to do this weekend. Later today: Bartow County Jail reports, Cartersville Police updates

Where Bartow County's news day never ends: www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Ware Mechanical's forecast:

• Sizzling weekend on the way with highs in the upper 90s. Weather

Today's first headlines:

• Rome/Floyd sees workforce rise to 40,800, best in recent months. But most of region sees uptick in first-time jobless claims, too. Jobs
• Business: Ribbon cutting this morning for Trandev ops center. New Marketplace to offer wine, beer tastings? Business
• YMCA seeks community's help in donating back-to-school supplies by Thursday. Plus: Updates on others lending a hand. Back to school
• GOP convention updates from David Guldenschuh: 7:40 a.m. on Hometown Radio. Plus: What's ahead for the Democratic Convention. Politics
• Former Polk County jailor charged in inmate Taser case; also was ex-Floyd Police detective. Arrest
• Weekend: With highs in the upper 90s, a good time to hit the water. Here's how. Also: Friday concerts in Cartersville, Cedartown. Weekend
• Smile Report: Cartersville Medical Center earns leadership award for cardiac, neurological services care. Smile
• Remembering Ms. Alver Jarrell Edgeworth, Travis Leon Garrett, John Ross (Johnny) McDaniel, Mr. Marvin Lewis Montgomery, Mr. Steven Wayne Mull, Ray W. Wear. Obituaries
• Public Health restaurant inspection scores.  Dining
  
• Area arrest reports brought to you by Dr. Miniyar's Pediatrics. CrimeWatch

Also today:

• Traffic: Georgia DOT, Google Maps or Waze.
• State business headlines: Georgia Trend
  
• Northwest Georgia jobs: Career Builder
  

Chick-fil-A Dwarf House Sports Report

• Rome Braves  get huge 11-2 win to open home stand.
• Next: Lexington in town today-Friday; West Virginia Saturday-Tuesday.
• Mills Fitzner's Rome Braves' home game photo gallery.
• Atlanta Braves: At Rockies today-Sunday.
• Links to high school football schedules this fall.
• Coosa Eagle football meeting tonight.
• Berry Vikings counting down the days to practice begins (t-minus 19).

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m., WRGA 98.7 FM. Coming up Monday:

• At 7:40 a.m.:  Rome attorney David Guldenschuh of Rome who's attending the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this week.
• At 8:40 a.m.: Robyn Matthews from the Alzheimers Association on Saturday's Float for Hope on Saturday.