Tuesday updates from www.bartowheadlines.com

Weather Center / Brought to you by Roman Court

-Weather service: Slight chance of snow north of Rome-Gainesville line

-20% chance of rain/snow showers before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, high of 50.

-Colder tonight with a low of  23. Gusts to 15 mph.

-Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 49, low of 23.

-Thursday night: Low of 12 degrees. 

-Extended forecast: Please click WeatherCenter

Politics & General Assembly

-Pettys--Gingrey 'unlikely' gubernatorial candidate: We quote veteran newsman Dick Pettys' article on his talk with U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey on the potential race: " ... But if I see the Georgia General Assembly in a meltdown – and I hope and pray that doesn't occur; I don't think it will occur – that could change my thinking in regard to a statewide race, and that's where I am right now."> Race

-Gingrey, legislators to push 411 Connector funding: U.S. Rep.  Phil Gingrey and area legislators met Monday at the Capitol to form a plan to keep the 411 Connector a priority for the state. The key: The likely inclusion in an economic stimulus package. The Connector is a hot-button issue again> Politics

-Gov. Sonny Perdue's State of the State address is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday. It will be on Georgia Public Broadcasting's Website at http://www.gpb.org/lawmakers/stateofthestate. GPB Knowledge will air a simultaneous 10 a.m. radio broadcast of the State of the State Address. GPB will broadcast the governor's speech in it's entirety on a special one-hour edition of Lawmakers on Georgia Public Television at 7 Wednesday evening.

-General Assembly online: Your best starting point: Legislature

-Also try: AJC's new Gold Dome Live> Click

-Links to local lawmakers: Northwest Georgia Links

-For updates, check Georgia Political & Policy Digest> Link

Tuesday's Buzz:

-Big contract for Engineered Fabrics Corp in Rockmart: The official word--"Meggitt PLC, a leading international company specialising in aerospace equipment, sensing and defence systems, confirmed today that Engineered Fabrics Corp., part of Meggitt Thermal Systems based in Rockmart,  has been awarded a significant follow on contract for its largest ever fuel tank order from the Air Force." Value: $4.1 million. For more, click EFC.

-New look for AJC.com: This is a week of change at the Atlanta newspaper and affiliates--the Web site has a new look, including a "Buzz" breakout to separate some of the fluff from real news; the comics are reduced--but in color--in the print edition; and Doug Franklin takes over as publisher> AJC

-Free admission to Callaway Gardens in January, February> Callaway

Chason rejoins tech college board:

Tim Chason of Cartersville, president of The Chason Group Inc. a consulting firm for businesses and non-profit organizations, recently was sworn in as the newest member of the North Metro Technical College board of directors.  Chason was previously a member of the NMTC board from 2000 to 2006.  He will be re-joining the board for another three-year term.  Pictured following the induction ceremony are, from left, Dr. Sanford Chandler, President of Chattahoochee Technical College and president-designee of the merged colleges; Chason; Ron Jackson, Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia; and Ron Newcomb, Acting President of North Metro Technical College. (Media release)

 

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

- Dangerous combo in '09 college football: Tebow's return, beer-flavored popcorn. For more, click Arey

Chamber Health & Wellness Expo booths available: Exhibitors must sign up in person at the chamber and the payment must accompany registration. The Expo is Thursday, Feb. 26, at The Church at Liberty Square. Click  registration or e-mail Tara Currier.