Rain to continue. Hospitals have big local impact, Spring blossoming

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Rain to continue, up to half-inch more today

-About .32 inch of rain was reported overnight with more on the way. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service calls 100% chance of rain and possible thunderstorms today through this afternoon with up to half-inch of new rainfall. Click

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: 100% rain chance; high of 61, low of 45.

-Thursday: 20% rain chance; high of 58, low of 39.

-Friday: 30% rain chance, high of 65, low of 45.

-Your extended forecast: Click // Latest local radar: Click

-Click Pollen: From Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic.

Local hospitals are pumping millions into local economies, but signs of the economic downturn are starting to show. According to a recent report by the Georgia Hospital Association for 2009, Cartersville Medical Center had an estimated $213 million impact in Bartow County with over $10 million in uncompensated care. Floyd Medical Center had a $457.7 million impact on the local economy, but more than $20.14 million in uncompensated care. Statewide, Georgia hospitals had almost $39.1 billion impact on the economy in 2009. However, the costs of uncompensated care are continuing to rise with $1.5 billion statewide, an increase more than of $27 million from 2008 and a $116 million jump from 2007. Health

Despite the dreary weather of late, you have probably noticed a rainbow of colors around town. All the recent rain is contributing to one of "prettiest" Spring seasons in recent years, Michelle Picon reports. Spring

Week ahead in Bartow County:

-March 30-31: Ga 140 detour: Media release: Georgia DOT is advising motorists in Bartow County of a detour off Ga. 140 at the CSX Railroad crossing near the intersection of Ga. 140 and U.S. 411 in Rydal, scheduled for March 30 and 31. Ga.140 at this location will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30 until 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, to accommodate work by the railroad company on upgrading the crossing. Westbound traffic will be detoured off Ga.140 onto U.S. 411 to Ga. 53 and back to140.  Eastbound traffic will be redirected to Ga. 53, U.S. 411 and back to Ga. 140. Detour signs will be in place to help motorists navigate around the scheduled road closure.

-March 31: Bartow Business Connection, 4 to 7 p.m., Booth Western Art Museum. Details

-April 1: Advocates for Children along with Cartersville Mayor and Bartow County Commissioner will hold a press conference at 12 p.m. at Friendship Plaza to discuss their plans for Child Abuse Prevention Month this April.

-April 1-2: The Grand Theatre will present "Kiss Me, Kate" on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday. Advance tickets are $10 adults, $7 children. At door, tickets are $15 adults, $10 children. Call 770-386-7343. Details

Tuesday's Bartow County Jail reports: Jail Intake Report // Incident Reports

-Links: Local police scanner.

ATR announces partnership with Quick Start to add 57 new employees

Bartow County manufacturer Applied Thermoplastic Resources (ATR) and Quick Start, Georgia's premier workforce training organization, has announced plans for preparing the company's projected 57 new employees as ATR expands its processes and products. Chattahoochee Technical College will also be the company's partner in maintaining a skilled workforce for the growing facility. Release

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey

-College football is watching the NFL strike talks carefully