Tornado watch until 3 a.m. Monday

Tornado watch in effect until 3 a.m. Monday in all of Northwest Georgia, other parts of the state. For details, click:

http://www.hometownheadlines.com

 

Friday updates

Click www.bartowheadlines.com

Tony Dungy's speech focuses on faith, family, football

Tony Dungy, as historic as he is humble, talks from the heart and soul to more than 2,000 people at The Cage on Thursday night. Photo courtesy of Berry College.

More than 2,000 people packed Berry College's Cage Center Thursday evening to hear NFL great Tony Dungy deliver a message of hope and perseverance. The recently retired head coach of the Indianapolis Colts used story after story from his football playing and coaching days to urge listeners to push themselves to be better even when times are at their toughest. The message was well received by a crowd almost evenly split by the extended Berry College family as well as business and community leaders from Northwest Georgia.

>Dungy delivers critical message: Don't surrender to adversity> Campus

>Web cast of Tony Dungy's news conference prior to his speech Thursday night at Berry College, courtesy of Berry> Video

Some of Dungy's comments while at Berry on Thursday:

-On absent fathers: "Our kids are bombarded with messages of what's important and what isn't.  As we're finding out now, there are so many young men growing up without that positive male influence. We've got to fill that void.  Being a dad isn't just a financial responsibility.  For young men during their formative years, they get messages from everywhere, but they need to come from dads."  

-On his son's loss: "Even in tough situations in life, I've really tried to rely on the Lord.  Losing a child is touch. I've learned that when you get real adversity, it either pushes you further from the Lord or draws you closer.  We've tried to draw closer."

-When asked to name the favorite person he's coached:   "I like them all, but Warrick Dunn was probably the player I was closest to.  His mother passed away when he was a teenager, and he raised his siblings.  On top of being a great player and buying homes for single mothers, he was raising five kids as a 22 year old."

Rome Braves pummeled in 10th inning as RiverDogs win, 7-2> Sports

Rome Braves catcher Braeden Schlehuber stands tall as Riverdogs second baseman

David Adams heads for the plate. For a stunning six-photo sequence of the play by Rome photographer Mills Fitzner, please click Sports

Rome man held in Ala. accused of plotting to have 7 killed: Al.com reports that Alabama authorities have arrested Dwight Herschel Green, 54, of Rome. and charged him devising a murder-for-hire plot against seven people. Green was taken into custody between Cedar Bluff and Centre around noon EDT, an FBI spokesman tells the news service> Suspect

A hint of better times?

State's jobless rate holds at 9.2% in March; Georgia picks up 3,000 jobs:

(Media release) The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.2 percent in March, unchanged from a revised 9.2 percent in February, the state Labor Department reports. The March report is significant because it was the first time in 20 months that the rate did not increase over the previous month.

"With apologies to Sir Winston Churchill, the better-than-expected March jobless rate does not represent the end of this recession," said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. "It is not even the beginning of the end. However, it may be the end of the beginning of the most severe economic downtown since the Great Depression."

A year ago, the jobless rate was 5.6% in Georgia.  The number of payroll jobs in March decreased 185,900, or 4.5 percent, from March of 2008. The over-the-year losses came in manufacturing and construction, trade, transportation and warehousing, along with professional and business services, including temporary employment agencies.

However, Georgia added 3,000 jobs in March, the first monthly increase since October. A majority of the new jobs were created in the retail and hospitality sectors. During the first two weeks of April, initial jobless claims in Georgia, which have sustained over-the-year triple-digit increases, grew at about one-half that pace. Initial claims are generally considered to be a leading indicator of future economic activity.

-County to charge for some yard waste collection fees: Floyd County commissioners adopted a new yard debris ordinance which goes into effect immediately. Debris needing to be picked up more often than once a quarter or an amount of debris of more than three cubic yards will require payment to the County Public Works department> Details

-Reece, Doss help secure $1.3 million in upgrades at airport> Buzz

-Shorter inducts 22 students into Sigma Deta Delta Honor Society: The Shorter College Professional Studies Program inducted 22 students into the Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society on April 15> Details

What's ahead at this weekend's Waterfest IX> Details

WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court
-Friday: Sunny, with a high near 72. Gust as high as 15 mph.
-Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
-Saturday: 20% chance of showers; thunderstorms after 2 p.m. High of 71.
-Saturday night: 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, low of 52.
-Sunday: 60% chance of showers, thunderstorms, high near 70.
-Sunday night: 40% chance of showers, thunderstorms. Low around 52.
-Live radar views:  Click The State or The Region

-For more, click WeatherCenter

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota

-Surely Animal Planet will stay away from Vick reality series> Arey

Rome Braves' updates

-Braves pounded by RiverDogs in 10th inning, lose 7-2.

-Next game: Tonight at 7 vs. Charleston

-Latest roster moves

-Game photos courtesy of Mills Fitzner> Click

Downtown Headline

-Big entertainment weekend ahead with River Days, International Festival, other events> Click Downtown

-Updated/Stargazer's newsletter posted: "Wednesday morning, before sunrise, we have a chance to see a beautiful meteor shower (Lyrid)" Stargazers

-Updated/Latest library newsletter now posted> Link

Thursday updates

Click www.bartowheadlines.com

 

The odds of a Cagle-to-Gingrey Domino Effect:

-Were it on the board in Las Vegas, we'd bet $100 on Phil Gingrey to enter the Republican hunt to be Georgia's next governor. Twenty-four hours ago, we might have wagered $1 just for grins. But with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle's mystifying exit, a race that seemed pretty much Cagle's to lose is now most anyone's to win.

-Karen Handel and John Oxendine can say they're front-runners but the new No. 1 is a player to be named sooner, not later. Gingrey might be that person. Even as he ran for a fourth term representing District 11 in Congress, Gingrey was hearing calls to run for governor.  He's got the resume: congressman, longtime local and state lawmaker, staunch conservative and rabid fund-raiser. Also, Gingrey is known in much of the state, especially as a very vocal Republican first-responder against Democratic challenges and legislation.

The negatives start with that same quick lip: Gingrey "had" to apologize to talk show host Rush Limbaugh earlier in the year. It cost him on several levels but he remains popular among conservatives. Another factor: Gingrey would take office at age 68.

And earlier this month, in an editorial board meeting with the Marietta paper, Gingrey pretty much said he and his family had ruled out a bid for governor, citing too much to be done on major issues before Congress (MDJ).

-Others are looking, too: Today, Jerry Keen has a 10 a.m. news conference and is expected to join the GOP race. Overnight, we got an e-mail from state Rep. Austin Scott on his candidacy.

-What to watch: Should Gingrey make the jump, the dominos would fall quickly. Anxious candidates for Congress certainly would come from Cobb, Bartow and Floyd counties, and some would be giving up existing seats in the General Assembly. Already, perhaps three or four candidates are watching to see if Preston Smith runs for attorney general (he's previously confirmed plans to seek a new Senate term). Some of those same Senate candidates will look at Gingrey's seat.

-The bottom line: The next seven days could shuffle many 2010 ballots, including those in Northwest Georgia.

Updates on May 8 auction(s): We've added an "s" for several reasons. First, you can now view the site of the U.S.  411/Dodd Boulevard auction of 39.4 acres owned by G. H. Riddle by clicking Dempsey. The auction begins at 10 a.m. that Friday. Also, scroll down the page to see the 1 p.m. auction of the .55-of-an-acre site that once was home to Owen's BBQ on U.S. 27  and Dixie Park Road.

'Hail of a sale' following Friday's storms: You tell us--smart marketing or not? Courtesy Ford in Rome is having a "hail of a sale" following Friday's tornadic-like storms. Also, the dealership is advertising car dent repairs. That comes as the state Insurance Office raises statewide storm damage estimates to $100 million.> Click

Rome High junior follows mom's cause to battle cancer: Ann Hook, a two-time cancer patient, is a force in the community battle to beat the disease. Now her oldest daughter, Jessica, a junior at Rome High, and some friends are dancing to 'Bust Cancer' > Healthy Living

Recycling helping homeless in Greater Rome: The William S. Davies Homeless Shelters have partnered with Paper Recovery of Georgia to benefit from the collection of newspapers, magazines, junk mail and shredded paper. Collection bins are at the end of Hicks Drive just past Home Depot; West 10th and Martha Berry Boulevard across from Scants Corner; the old Burns car lot (most recently Vast Supply) on Martha Berry ; and at Mount Berry Square. For more information, contact the Davis shelters at 706-290-1562 or click Davies.

Thursday's Buzz:

-Redmond Regional earns 3-year cancer care accreditation> Health

-Heart of the Community donated defibrillator to Boys, Girls Club> HOC

-No tickets left for Tony Dungy's lecture at Berry tonight: Says Berry College spokesman Rick Woodall: "All tickets for Tony Dungy's public lecture have been exhausted." Hometown will have coverage Friday> Berry

-Floyd County's Got Talent set for Saturday, April 25: Sponsored by the Modern Woodmen of America, the talent contest benefits the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth. It is set for 7 p.m. at the City Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children and $5 for those 12 and under. Reserved seats are available for $15.  For more, call 706-232-0703.

-Saturday/St. Mary's golf tournament: Teams and individuals can sign up to play in Saturday's St. Mary's Golf Tournament set for the Plantation of Horseleg. Teams of four, $300; individuals, $75. Proceeds benefit St. Mary's Catholic School. Call 706-506-0954 or see the event flyer by clicking SMS

-What's ahead at this weekend's Waterfest IX> Details

WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court
-Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near71. Gusts as high as 15 mph.
-Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.

-Friday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Gusts to 15 mph.

-Friday night: Mostly clear, low of 42.

-Live radar views:  Click The State or The Region

-For more, click WeatherCenter

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota

- Be careful duck hunting in Oregon; Paulus for president; Yoculan's new career> Arey

Rome Braves' updates

-Braves take two-game series vs. Sandgnats, win 5-3.

-Next game: Tonight at 7 as Charleston comes to town.

-Game photos courtesy of Mills Fitzner> Click

Downtown Headlines

-Big entertainment weekend ahead, starting tonight and continuing through Sundays, says Bryan Mullins of Mullinsmania.com> Click Downtown

-Updated/Stargazer's newsletter posted: "Wednesday morning, before sunrise, we have a chance to see a beautiful meteor shower (Lyrid)" Stargazers

-Updated/Latest library newsletter now posted> Link

Opening Night at the Rome Braves with Javy Lopez, Danielle Peck

Click www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

'Pitcher' perfect1

Photo/Mills Fitzner

Former Atlanta Braves catcher Javy Lopez tosses the

ceremonial first pitch at Tuesday's home opener for the Rome Braves. Lopez and a current Atlanta catcher, David Ross, provided some extra good luck as Ross--rehabbing an injury--smacked a dinger to help pace a 7-6 Rome Braves win over the Savannah Sandgnats.More coverage later tonight. Click Sports

To the right: Country star Danielle Peck sings the National Anthem before Tuesday's game.

More photos from Opening Night courtesy of Mills Fitzner> Click

 

 

 

 

Tuesday updates

Click www.bartowheadlines.com

 

Tuesday's Buzz

 

Flavor, San Antonio Burrito Bar close in downtown Cartersville

 

'The Gardens of Rome' proposed for former Charles Hight Homes site: What's interesting about the proposed project by

Christi R. Sulzbach and husband Bob Bogle is that it keeps the homesites on the property along Turner McCall and Fifth Avenue. They'd be transformed into 100 residential units, retail and offices, and be joined by a grass amphitheater> Downtown Headlines

 

Key East Rome tracts near 'Hotel Highway' up for auction: Keep watching the Dempsey Auction Web site for details about the May auction of around 36 acres adjacent to and behind the Country Inn & Suites/Holiday Inn Express complex just off U.S. 411 east of Chulio Road. The surrounding area has been hot with three new hotels (LaQuinta, Comfort Suites and Holiday Inn Express. Last year, interest picked up again when Seven Hills Town Center was proposed across from the East Rome Wal-Mart. Date: 10 a.m. May 8> Dempsey

Berry's 12th government conference focuses on U.S. 'regime change'> CH

Invista to spend $500 million cleaning environmental problems in Calhoun, Dalton, other parts of the country> Details

Firehouse Subs making $17,000 donation to Gordon firefighters> Gordon

-Dining changes in Cartersville: Flavor, San Antoinio Burrito Bar close.

More changes for the AJC at Tucker goes to D.C., buyout list announced: It is hard to prioritize which has the most public and personal impact as another wave of changes come from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
-Editorial Page Editor Cynthia Tucker to become D.C. columnist> Tucker

-Latest staff buyout list includes many of the paper's best-known feature writers and columnists> Creative Loafing

Rome Braves updates (click Sports)

-First-pitch forecast: 60 degrees, 10% rain chance.

-Javy Lopez, rehabbing ATL catcher David Ross, 2-for-1 tickets headline opening night at State Mutual Stadium

-Country star Danielle Peck to sing National Anthem

-K-Man's countdown-to-the-home-opener photo> Clock

-First photos of the new season from Mills Fitzner> Click

What's ahead at this weekend's Waterfest IX> Details

WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court

-Today: Clearing skies, high of 65, gusts to 20 mph.
-Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
-Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Gusts to 20 mph.

-Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

-Live radar views:  Click The State or The Region

-For more, click WeatherCenter

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota

-How about a full page of sports factoids you just can't live without?> Arey

Monday updates

Click www.bartowheadlines.com

 

Gusts of 39 mph, some rain sweep NW Georgia

-Hazardous Weather Outlook: Isolated thunderstorms possible today, tonight
-High Wind Warning: Gusts up to 45 mph  possible through 10 this morning
-Morning update: High winds and some rain continue to dominate the morning weather picture. Scattered power outages are being reported with some limbs and trees down. At the airport: Gusts of 39 mph--tropical storm strength--were clocked between 5 and 6 a.m., and up to 36 mph between 6 and 7 a.m.
-Today: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2pm. High near 69. Southeast wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
-Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
-Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. West wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

-Live radar views:  Click The State or The Region

-For more, click WeatherCenter

WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia:

-Star power (Javy Lopez, Danielle Peck) help open Rome Braves season
-Stricklin named president of Northwest Georgia Credit Union

-Restaurant activity picking up in Cartersville

-'09 Rome International  Film Festival puts out call for early entrees

-It's open season on ducks again as Duck Derby nears
-GOP's 11th District convention should draw 2010 candidates
-Call it a 'matinee with a mission' as Seven Hills Fellowship works with the Historic DeSoto Theatre
-Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia.

Rome Braves drop opening weekend road trip to Charleston. Sunday's score, 2-0. RiverDogs take three of four games. Next for Rome: Home opener vs. Savannah Tuesday night> Sports

-New/Visit the online home of the Rome Braves Fan Club> Fan club

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota

-Kentucky basketball hire already paying dividends; Nick Saban is raiding state> Click Arey

Rome Braves updates (click Sports)

-Country star Danielle Peck (left) to sing National Anthem at home opener next Tuesday> RB

-Meet the 2009 Rome Braves

-K-Man's countdown-to-the-home-opener photo> Clock

-First photos of the new season from Mills Fitzner> Click

-Former Braves catcher Javy Lopez to throw first pitch Opening Night.
-Single ticket sales under way at State Mutual Stadium

-New/Visit the online home of the Rome Braves Fan Club> Fan club

Three-Dot Buzz . . . :

Opening night highlights--Javy, new Braves, ballpark changes: The 2009 edition of the Rome Braves open the home season Tuesday night with extra star power. Former Atlanta catcher Javy Lopez will toss the ceremonial first pitch; country singer Danielle Peck will sing the National Anthem and fans will get their first look at changes around State Mutual Stadium. Among them: the rechristened Miller Lite Marina and a new display board above the marina off the third base line. Tickets also are two-for-one this Tuesday and every Tuesday this season> Braves

Restaurant activity heating up in Cartersville: There's talk of a new tenant at the former M'Vorneen's site, 110 S. Museum Drive. The name we hear: The City Cellar & Loft. Appalachian Grill also just came off a remodeling job.

'Duck season' opens in Cartersville:

One of the area's most popular fund-raisers, the Duck Derby sponsored by Advocates for Children, is back in the spotlight this Saturday with the annual Duck Parade in Cartersville. The event begins at 10 a.m. at Friendship Plaza next to the Depot. The groups' goal: Making life better for kids. For more, click www.advochild.org

>Upcoming events include:

-May 15: Duck Derby Concert, Riverside Park, Cartersville

-May 16: Duck Dash 5K, Cartersville Soccer Complex

-May 16: Duck Derby Race and Festival, Riverside Park, Cartersville.

GOP's 11th District convention this Saturday: Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Chattooga and Polk Republicans will join those from other nearby counties this Saturday for the 11th District Republican Convention at the Dallas Theater, 204 Main St. With the 2010 governor's race drawing a wide field (Cagle, Handel, Oxendine, etc.), look for a few key visitors. District 11

RIFF 2009 gives a shout out for early entries: The Web home of the Rome International Film Festival has a new look for the new year (click www.riff.tv). The festival's Facebook page also features an early call for entries. The 2009 edition of RIFF is set for Sept. 11-12 in downtown Rome.

Stricklin named president of Northwest Georgia Credit Union

(Media release) Northwest Georgia Credit Union's board of directors has named Michelle Stricklin as president and CEO of the credit union. Mrs. Stricklin has served as interim president of Northwest Georgia Credit Union since August, upon the retirement of former president and CEO Cheryl Huffman.

Mrs. Stricklin has worked in multiple areas of the Northwest Georgia Credit Union since 1994. Prior to serving in her current leadership capacity, Mrs. Stricklin most recently served as the director of accounting and human resources. She also sat on various board committees and has been an integral leader in setting credit union policy.

Said board Chairman Robert Young:  "The Northwest Georgia Credit Union board of directors is excited and pleased about the direction that Mrs. Stricklin will take the credit union as its new president and CEO. The board took several months to come to its decision about this position, and this was deliberate. We were intentional about not making a hasty decision because of the magnitude and implications for the future, and also because we felt a great sense of confidence in our interim president. The board attracted and interviewed external candidates, deliberated on the strengths of each, and ultimately agreed that Mrs. Stricklin was the most excellent selection. Northwest Georgia Credit Union has been a safe and strong financial institution in the past, it remains so now, and it will remain so in the future under the leadership of Mrs. Stricklin."

Mrs. Stricklin said, "Northwest Georgia Credit Union is a unique financial institution. We are member-owned and not-for-profit, and our business philosophy is one of simply helping people and teaching solid personal finance practices. I am truly thrilled and humbled to have been selected to lead such a passionate organization that puts people first. I am eager to explore our potential in the days ahead."

'Matinee' with a mission: Seven Hills Fellowship at the DeSoto

By Natalie Simms

natsimms76@gmail.com

Rome's Historic DeSoto Theatre has a tenant in addition to the Rome Little Theatre. For just over a year, the new Seven Hills Fellowship has been holding its Sunday morning church service inside the DeSoto. It's a partnership that has been beneficial to both parties.

"When we first came to Rome, we walked around downtown and looked at buildings where we could meet," says Bryan Pierce, pastor of Seven Hills Fellowship. "At the time, I thought the DeSoto would be great for church."

That point in time was August of 2006 and the church only had two members, Pierce and his wife. They were starting a "plant" church from the Perimeter Church in Duluth.

They began meeting people and holding services in their home until they outgrew their space four months later. Then, they met inside the Rome Civic Ballet building for eight months until they again outgrew that space.

"We then spoke to the board at the DeSoto and began slowly developing a relationship with them," says Pierce, pictured with his family to the right. "At the time, they were trying to raise money for the foyer renovation, so we gave them the money they needed to complete the project in exchange for a year's worth of rent space."

Pierce said they gave approximately $10,000 for the DeSoto to complete the front entry (foyer) renovation. According to Paul Griffin, president of the Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation and Rome Little Theatre, the DeSoto already had raised some money from the "Reel" Trees fundraiser to pay for the plaster repair to the entryway ceiling, along with funding it received from the Fox Theatre Institute.

"The Fox Theatre Institute was founded to help historic theatres in Georgia to maintain their historic attributes," Griffin says. "There were 350 theatres identified in Georgia, out of which 260 are still around. They then found 15 to be charter members, of which we (DeSoto) were selected."

Griffin said the money from the Fox Theatre Institute was used to pay for the painting in the front entryway.

But as the Seven Hills Fellowship began to use the facility, they noticed that more work was needed.

"There were five rooms upstairs, near the sound booth, that were badly damaged from the leaking roof," Pierce says. "We talked to Paul (Griffin) about using that space for our nursery and children's area. So, we gave them the money to remodel the upstairs."

Pierce says the church gave between $75,000-$80,000 for the upstairs renovation project, which included a total remodel of the five rooms, replacing the heating and air unit, and adding a bathroom.

"In exchange for the contribution, we have worked out an agreement to use the facility through 2013," Pierce says.

Griffin says the DeSoto still has many more areas that need attention and will begin prioritizing a list of those repairs. The board is working on grants to repair the main roof.

As for the future of Seven Hills Fellowship, Pierce says the church is growing and believes the DeSoto can handle its needs for the next several years.

"The main theatre seats 450 people," he said. "Right now, our average attendance is 150. As we continue to grow, we may look at future deals with the theatre for more space in exchange for helping with projects."

The Seven Hills Fellowship meets at 10:15 a.m. on Sundays. Click Web site.

 

PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to Floyd County's bid to put a member on the Rome Downtown Development Authority: County officials want a seat at the DDA table and they're on target, especially since the county is the largest property owner in the downtown zone. Just how that happens is up for debate. It could involve some legislative mumbo jumbo. With the DDA limited to seven seats, the quickest way is for a current board member to step aside--a move that would encourage even more cooperation between city and county governments.

Peak to the Code RED alert system: Talk about a baptism by fire. Floyd County's recent rollout of the Code RED phone alert system is burning up the lines. We received update calls twice on Friday as dawn-and-dusk storms plowed through the region. The service is free and the message is both basic and critical: You're told of extreme weather in the area and to take steps to protect yourself. Short, sweet--and safe. To enroll, click Code RED.

Valley to the likely loss of the red light cameras: We pretty  much agree that we don't like "Big Brother" watching us as we drive. But we also agree that some motorists need extra supervision as they race through the final seconds of an amber light for no apparent reason, dangling a cell phone between chin(s) and shoulder. Some of the stunts we've seen of late--including just driving through the red light if no one is approaching from the cross lanes-- are a prelude to more highway carnage. If the lights aren't paying for themselves, do the easy thing: increase the fines for violators.

Friday updates

Click www.bartowheadlines.com

 

Weather could get a bit rough today

-Severe weather possible today, tonight: We have a 100 percent chance of rough weather today

and 50 percent tonight as another spring storm moves through the state. More is due Monday as well.

We'll have updates throughout the day.

-Live radar views:  Click The State or The Region

-Friday: 100% chance of showers, thunderstorms. High of 73.

-Friday night: 50% chance of rain, low of 52. Gusts to 25 mph.

-Saturday: Sunny and 67; low of 46.

-Sunday: Partly sunny, 74; low of 54; 70% chance of rain

-For more, click WeatherCenter

-WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court

Friday's Buzz

-Kobelco Construction Machinery trims 66 jobs, reduces the hours of 78 others: The Calhoun company at 501 Richardson Road SE filed notice with the state Department of Labor, saying unexpected drops in excavator and dozer equipment orders mandated reduction-in-force steps affecting 144 people. News of the cutback comes just a week after Shaw Industries announced it was closing a plant in Calhoun idling 390 employees with 80 laid off at Super Kmart in Rome and 80 others at HON Company in Cedartown>Kobelco

-Rome Braves open season with big win over Charleston, 8-2> Baselines

-Rome's WGPB 97.7 FM wins regional Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting for the series, "The Chemical in the Conasauga," by Rome Bureau Chief John Sepulvado. See Region 13 on the list of Awards

-Listen to the reports by clicking Archives

-Latest updates from Downtown Development meeting: New parking deck, upcoming events highlight DDA board meeting> Downtown

-Changes mean more people eligible to donate blood> Health

-Starbucks closing 200 stores including one in Dalton, Fort O> Starbucks

-Shorter's Free Enterprise team 'Rookie of the Year'> Campus

-Shorter Shootout Classic set for May 21> Campus Headlines

-News from Gordon Hospital> Gordon Headlines

-Stargazer's newsletter now posted> Click Stargazers

On Dining & Drink (click)

-Restaurant notes including breakfast at Henry's/Acworth

-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores

-Easter brunch highlights weekend winery events> Wine tours

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota

-Women or golf? There's only one right answer; French need to leave Lance alone> Click Arey

Rome Braves updates (click Sports)

-Country star Danielle Peck (left) to sing National Anthem at home opener next Tuesday> RB

-Meet the 2009 Rome Braves

-K-Man's countdown-to-the-home-opener photo> Clock

-First photos of the new season from Mills Fitzner> Click

-Former Braves catcher Javy Lopez to throw first pitch Opening Night.
-Single ticket sales under way at State Mutual Stadium

'A significant time of reflection' on the 'celebration of the Resurrection'

The Shorter College community gathered for a sunrise prayer service Thursday, led by Dr. Nelson Price, chairman of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Harold E. Newman, Shorter's president, called it "a significant time of reflection during Holy Week as we approach Easter and the celebration of the Resurrection of our Risen Lord. The Shorter family came together to pray for our college community and for one another and to express our gratitude for the blessings God has so graciously bestowed."

For more on Holy Week, please click Easter