As 'First Responders' are honored, the flag rests at half mast --again. Busy -- and hot -- weekend ahead. Later today: Bartow County Jail reports, Cartersville Police updates.

Where Bartow County's news day never ends: www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Ware Mechanical's forecast:

• Blistering heat contributing to drought concerns; Rome rainfill 8.26 inches below normal, Cartersville, 4.51 inches. Weather
• Code Orange alert for Bartow, metro Atlanta on Friday. Smog

Today's first headlines:

• As area 'First Responders' are honored today, the American flag will be at half-staff -- a too familiar position over the past 12 months. Half staff
• David Guldenschuh's final report from the GOP convention; Wendy Davis sets up Democratic convention. Politics
• Buzz: Closer look at grand opening events for Tennis Center on July 29. Busy August for Rome Rotary. Upgrade for motorists from DOT, Waze. Traffic
• Weekend: Lots of water time this weekend and free concerts, too. Weekend
• Georgia Health News: Piedmont-United split shows no quick fix. Health
• Remembering Mr. Walter R. Farmer Jr., Mrs. Belinda DeAnne Peek Whaley, Mrs. Mildred McDougal Womack. Obituaries
• Public Health restaurant inspection scores.  Dining
  
• Area arrest reports brought to you by Dr. Miniyar's Pediatrics. CrimeWatch

Advertising

• Hardy Realty's open house gallery for Sunday: Seven homes in Greater Rome from $101,500 to $450,000.
• Posting today at 3 p.m.

Also today:

• Traffic: Georgia DOT, Google Maps or Waze.
• State business headlines: Georgia Trend
• Northwest Georgia jobs: Career Builder
  

Chick-fil-A Dwarf House Sports Report

• Rome Braves ready for big weekend at the ballpark.
• Next: Lexington in town today; West Virginia Saturday-Tuesday.
• Mills Fitzner's Rome Braves' home game photo gallery.
• Atlanta Braves: At Rockies today-Sunday.
• Links to high school football schedules this fall.
• Latest high school and college updates.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m., WRGA 98.7 FM. Coming up Monday:

• At 7:40 a.m.:  Rome attorney David Guldenschuh of Rome who attended the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this week, on Thursday night's speech and overall assessment.
• At 8:10 a.m.: Wendy Davis of Rome, who will be a superdelegate at next week's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, on what we can expect.
• At 8:40 a.m.: Hometown Headlines/WRGA News Roundtable