Huge weekend in Bartow: downtown concert, community events. Watch the heat: Mid-90s all weekend.

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Campaign Watch: (click)

-Natalie Simms interviews the two Republican candidates seeking the Senate District 52 seat, representing Floyd and parts of Bartow and Gordon counties. Barry Loudermilk and Jeff Knight are on the July 20 primary ballot. The winner faces Democrat Mike Burton Nov. 3.

-Attorney general to review complaints Reece, others offered 'unauthorized assistance' with absentee ballots: The State Election Board has referred a Chattooga County case to the Attorney's General office, a complaint that alleges veteran state Rep. Barbara Massey Reece, D-Menlo, and several others offered "unauthorized assistance" with absentee ballots in the Nov. 7, 2006, general election. Reece represents District 11, which includes Chattooga and part of Floyd counties. She does not face a primary or Republican opponent this election season. The allegation is Reese and others assisted elderly and/or infirm absentee voters that year.  There are concerns about 2008 votes as well. List as potential violations: Whether Reece and others failed to fill out the oath on the absentee ballots of those she assisted as required by the state. Also: Whether Reese possessed another elector's ballots. Among those also name: Reece's mother, Eva. We placed calls to Reece at home and her Atlanta office, and to her attorney, Chris Corbin. on Thursday. Review the document. clicking SEB

-Latest local politics: Surprisingly quiet weekend. Politics

What's ahead this weekend:

-Dixie Swim Club from Pumphouse Players opens this weekend. Details

-June 12: Downtown Cartersville Summer Concert Series. 7-9 p.m. Caribbean Soul performs. Participating restaurant: Barbecue Street.

-June 12: Bartow Give a Kid a Chance Registration, 9:a.m. until noon, South Central Middle School, Euharlee Commissary, Cartersville Civic Center Parking Lot. Adairsville Manning Mill Park.   First come/first served -- registration limited to the first 1,000; others will be placed on a waiting list and contacted.  Each child receives a backpack with school supplies, jeans, T-shirt, a haircut and dental, hearing and vision screenings.  Details: Bartow Collaborative, 770-773-7342.

-June 12/Rare look at Valley View: The Etowah Valley Historical Society announces the opening for public viewing of the pre-Civil War family home, Valley View, at 100 Valley View Farm Road in Cartersville off Euharlee Road. On June 12, from noon until 5 p.m., you can tour the plantation home and grounds. The tour includes the interior of the home as well as the boxwood gardens, the smokehouse, the original kitchen, courtyard and downstairs porches.  

-June 12: Downtown Cartersville Summer Concert Series. 7-9 p.m. Caribbean Soul performs. Participating restaurant: Barbecue Street.

-June 12: Bartow Give a Kid a Chance Registration, 9:a.m. until noon, South Central Middle School, Euharlee Commissary, Cartersville Civic Center Parking Lot. Adairsville Manning Mill Park.   First come/first served -- registration limited to the first 1,000; others will be placed on a waiting list and contacted.  Each child receives a backpack with school supplies, jeans, T-shirt, a haircut and dental, hearing and vision screenings.  Details: Bartow Collaborative, 770-773-7342.

-June 12-13: 20th Annual Rockfest: One of the southeast's largest gem and mineral shows returns to Tellus after 19 years at the Weinman Mineral Museum. This family event features gem, mineral, fossil and jewelry vendors from all over the country, plus live music, children's activities and more. A great way to kick off the summer. Free for members, included in cost of admission for non-members. Tellus

Mount Berry Square facing foreclosure? Hometown Headlines

Dining & Drink (click)

-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores for Northwest Georgia.

-New this week: Links to specific reports of restaurants scoring 69 or less.

-North Georgia wineries offer song, swinging vines, Father's Day brunch.

Thursday reports from the Bartow County Jail. Click

Your latest forecast:

-Friday: 30% rain chance, high of 91; low of 70, 30% rain chance.

-Saturday: 30% rain chance, 93 again. 20% chance of rain, low of 70.

-Sunday:  A sizzling 94 with a 30% rain chance; low of 70.       

-Extended forecast: Click  / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey 

-College football has now officially shifted off its axis, so hold tight.

Rome Braves. Sports

-Rome Braves open series with 5-0 shutout of Greenville.

-Tonight, Saturday: Braves host Greenville. 

-Latest roster moves--and there are a bunch of them.

-Mills Fitzner's home game photos. Click