Latest updates from Bartow County. Outlets tackle tax-free headache

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Prime Outlets plans 'Better Than Tax Free Weekend' July 29-Aug. 1

-Area shoppers have gotten used to the state's annual sales tax holiday, usually held the weekend before the start of the new school year. Not this year, thanks to state leaders who cite the depressed economy as the culprit. The downside could be shoppers in border communities taking their purchases to Tennessee, Alabama or others offering a sales tax holiday.

-Prime Outlets in Calhoun has another idea: Almost 30 merchants will take part in the Better Than Tax Free Weekend sale from 10 a.m. Thursday, July 29, until 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1. Select merchants are offering an additional 10 percent off items sold those days (Ann Taylor, Old Navy, Gap, etc.) Those dates would have been the ones set aside from a 2010 tax holiday weekend. For more: Click Outlets.

-Also different this year: Between the summers of 2008-09, we lost Office Depot, Circuit City and Goody's. This year: Gap, Chico's and others.

-Mount Berry Square begins its back-to-school push July 19. Click

Rome's Steak N Shake quickly flying together

The exterior at Steak N Shake on Turner McCall seems to be rising at a record clip. A mid fall opening is planned. You can see the wood frame of the chaint's new design to the right and, below, the curb cuttings for the drive-through lane.

Wednesday's Buzz:

-Aug. 19/Also free: Pizza at Stevi B's if you're there on time .... Details

-Aug. 5/Mohawk to release second-quarter financials. Click

Wednesday police report from the Bartow County Jail. Click

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: 20% chance of rain, high of 95.

-Wednesday night: Low of 69, slight chance of rain..

-Thursday: High of 94, 20% rain chance.

-Thursday night: Slight chance of rain, low of 72.

-Extended forecast: Click  / Regional live (animated) radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey 

-Something's got to give: Georgia's wearing out the Athens police.

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-Braves off Tuesday; open five-game set in Hagerstown tonight.  

-Mills Fitzner's latest home game photos.  (click)