Storm Hermine getting Georgia's attention. New look for East Rome Captain D's thanks to overnight crews. Big weekend starts with one of state's oldest bluegrass festivals. Football, baseball updates.

Today's first headlines and continuing news updates all day at www.hometownheadlines.com

 

Top stories today:

1. Ware Mechanical watch: Tropical Storm Hermine a threat, especially in South Georgia, and what it means to holiday travel. Hermine
2. Dining: Captain D's getting an overnight makeover in East Rome. Photo gallery. Dining
3. Weekend Focus: Nearly 1,500 expected for 44th Annual Armuchee Bluegrass Festival this weekend. Bluegrass
4. Weekend at a glance: From pow wow to Rome's best barbecue. Weekend
5. Georgia Health News: Plan to reduce the number of Georgians without health coverage, unveiled Wednesday, takes conservative approach to Medicaid expansion. Health

Latest local headlines:

• Ware Mechanical forecast: A little bit cooler Friday, Saturday; overnight will feel fall-like through Monday morning. Weather
• Education: Rome High's quick-read Instagram calendar (steal this idea). GNTC offers free GED practice test. Floyd School Board meets Tuesday. Education
• Flood relief: Rome man featured in 'Humans of the Water,' detailing survival in flooded Louisiana. Plus: School supplies still needed. Aftermath
• Buzz: Trinity, Metropolitan United Methodist churches off fall program, 'How to Neighbor.' DOT suspends highway construction for holiday weekend. Buzz
  
• Floyd Emergency Management Director Tim Herrington on what you need to know about National Preparedness Month. Prepare
• Education: Pepperell High's Caps & Grounds opens; coffee shop even offers with a special bland, Dragon Roast. Education
• Floyd's College and Career Academy wins state Shark Tank Innovation Challenge, $10,000 prize. Education
• Remembering Mr. Carlton Max Akins. Obituaries
• Public Health restaurant inspection scores. 64 for downtown Cartersville restaurant.  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

• John McClellan's high school picks: Ridgeland over Darlington, Cartersville to dominate Calhoun, close win for Rome. McClellan
• Georgia High School Football Daily.
• Shorter opens 2016 football season at UT Chattanooga tonight at 7.
• Some radio changes for this weekend only because of football, baseball.
• Rome Braves in final stretch of playoff chase.
• Playoff tickets for Rome Braves now on sale; $5 for any seat if purchased in advance. Playoffs
• Mills Fitzner's Rome Braves' home game photo gallery.
• Atlanta Braves: Today vs. Padres. At Phillies Friday-Sunday.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m., WRGA 98.7 FM.

• Please join our guests including:
• At 7:40 a.m.: Tim Herrington, director of Floyd County Emergency Management, on National Preparedness Month -- and keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Hermine.
• At 8:10 a.m.: Matt Pearce from the Small Business Development Center on "Customer Service – Dealing with Difficult/Dissatisfied Customers.
• At 8:40 a.m.: Tony Kunczewski, head coach of the Berry Vikings, on what's new about the 2016 football team as it opens the season Saturday at 6 p.m. vs. Maryville.