Friday updates from www.bartowheadlines.com

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Flood & River Watch

-Flood warning scheduled to expire at 9 this morning> Warning

-The Oostanaula was at 22.99 feet and dropping at 5:45 a.m.

-The Oostanaula near Resaca was at 24.21 feet at 6 a.m.; appears to be cresting.

-The Etowah River was dropping, at 22.74 feet at 6 a.m.

-More county, city roads reopening> WeatherCenter

-See nearly two dozen flood photos, courtesy of Mills Fitzner. Click Focus

Weather Center / Brought to you by Roman Court

-Friday: Sunny and 56.

-Tonight, low of 36 with partly cloudy skies

-Saturday: 90% chance of rain, high of 63; 40% rain chance that night.

-Extended forecast: Please click WeatherCenter

Business Buzz:

-UGA analyst/Now is a good time to grow your business: In his monthly column in Georgia Trend, Dr. Jeffrey Humphreys urges entrepreneurs and other business people to get ahead of the recovery wave expected in midyear. Writes H: "If you have good credit and a solid business plan, 2009 will be a good time to borrow money at attractive rates. By 2010, it probably will be too late to get cheap money."> Column

-Polk chamber offering five-part 'Small Business University' courses> Polk Headlines

-Booth rental begins for Bartow chamber's annual health and wellness expo> Bartow Headlines

-Gingrey among Georgia Trend's '100 Most Influential Georgians': U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey is among the 100 power people in the state as selected by Georgia Trend. The 11th edition of the state's A-list is includes Gingrey and 23 other politicians--including those considering a run for governor in 2010. Says the article on Gingrey, 68: "Dr. Gingrey delivered more than 5,200 babies in his 26 years as a practicing obstetrician, then became a U.S. congressman in 2002, breezing to re-election three times since in his heavily conservative district. A member of the Armed Services Committee, he strongly supported the invasion of Iraq but opposed expanding the G.I. Bill (which passed last year)." Click Trend

Adairsville man gets eight years in child porn possession case> Sentencing

Chamber Health & Wellness Expo booths available starting today: Exhibitors must sign up in person at the chamber and the payment must accompany registration. The Expo is Thursday, Feb. at The Church at Liberty Square. Click  registration or e-mail Tara Currier.

State web site reports Cedartown's Marathon Ashland at 1325 S. Main St. ordered to make restitution in gas gouging investigation> Gas

Today on Dining & Drink

-Limited public health restaurant inspection scores from our area

-Winter Wine Dinners begin at Barnsley; tasting tonight in Acworth

-Annual Georgia Wine Country is June 6-7 in Dahlonega

Improv comes to Legion Theatre Saturday night: The Pumphouse Players will be kicking off the New Year with an Improv Night at the Legion Theatre beginning at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $3 for both participants and audience members. There is no pressure to participate but all are welcome. Light refreshments will be served and, as always, donations for adult beverages are appreciated> Pumphouse

 

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

- Georgia without Stafford. Moreno: How about Falcons without Ryan, Turner? For more, click Arey

Sports

-Smoltz, Braves part ways after 21 seasons; Boston next: Likely Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz gets a tater from Rome Braves' coach Bobby Moore last summer following a rehab game in Rome.  Smoltz is expected to play for the Boston Red Sox this season thanks to a deal that has stunned local fans. Photo by Mills Fitzner> The Globe

-Gators, Tebow win third national championship since 1996 season> The Sun

-Rome Braves announce staff promotions> Sports