Low of 23 today, upper teens tonight, Wednesday. What's ahead in Bartow County. Gas prices soaring again.

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

With Christmas trips just days away as schools let out next week, gasoline prices are surging again.

 

December looks good for local tourism thanks to colleges, game. Two college graduations and the NAIA National Championship Football Game should mean big things for local hotels, restaurants and shops starting later this week and continuing through Dec. 19 or later.

 

Monday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Synovus Financial Corp., parent company of Citizens First Bank and GB & T in Calhoun and Cartersville, announces a dividend of 1 cent per share on the company's common stock.  The dividend will be payable on Jan. 3 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 16.

Frigid nights ahead: 19 the forecast low tonight, 18 on Wednesday

-Chilly start today: It was 23 degrees at 6 a.m. -- but no wind chill.

-Tuesday: More sun, high of 39, low of 19. Gusts to 20 mph.

-Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high of 38, low of 18.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

John McClellan's picks for championship week. McClellan

-Third Calhoun v. Buford showdown will end the same way -- Wolves' win. Plus: Four other statewide winners.

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-The worst Heisman winners: the best coaches, the worst bowl games, perhaps ever. 

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Annual half-price sale at Trading Post is Dec. 11.

-Big changes in 2011: Rome Braves get new manager, coaches.

-Coming in January: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering.

What's ahead in Bartow County. Coldest temps of the year on the way. Buzz of Northwest Georgia

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-Dec. 9: Old Alabama stretch to open: The construction of a new stretch of Old Alabama Road/Ga. 113 connecting to I-75 at Red Top Mountain Road has been completed, and the road will be open to traffic on Dec. 9, weather permitting. DOT

-Dec. 11: Cowboy Santa coming to the Booth Western Art Museum. Booth

-Dec. 11: Atlanta Pops Orchestra Holiday concert at 7 p.m. at The Grand Theatre. Performance also by The Grand Theatre Choral Ensemble. Tickets $20-$25. Call 770-386-7343.

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia. Click 

-Already 'hot' Rockmart intersection about to get busier.

-Area charities say Christmas demand picks up -- and donations need to.

-NAIA's top teams of past decade returning to a 'new' Barron Stadium.

-Checking in with Hiram's Mellow Mushroom for final pre-Rome taste test--and finding a new passion, the pretzels, as a foursquare freebie.

-Three things we liked about the 2010 Christmas parade in Rome.

Your latest forecast: Cold and windy; watch the wind chill

-Wind chill: The week is off to a brisk start and will stay that way for a few days. At 6 this morning, it was 29 outside but with the 8 mph wind, it felt like 21 degrees.

-Monday: Sunny, high of 39, low of 22. Gusts to 25 mph.

-Tuesday: More sun, high of 37, low of 20. Gusts to 20 mph.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Sunday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-There can be no doubt that the two best teams will meet in the mythical title game.

John McClellan's picks for championship week will be posted Tuesday morning. McClellan

A look at this year's playoffs, the stars of the year and playoff history. Georgia High School Football Daily.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Annual half-price sale at Trading Post is Dec. 11.

-Big changes in 2011: Rome Braves get new manager, coaches.

-Coming in January: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering.

New website for Chattahoochee Technical College

(Media release) Chattahoochee Technical College's newly designed website went live Wednesday after nearly nine months of development. The 2,318 page site – www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu – will feature information for current, prospective and former students, as well as other visitors interested in learning more about the school.

The dramatically redesigned site, created by Chattahoochee Technical College's in-house web designer, embodies the school's forward–thinking vision and commitment to the growing needs of its students. Based on research with users, it offers:

rich content provided by faculty and staff about programs of study, admissions, financial aid, sports and student life

direct access to contacts for more information from almost every page

streamlined searching and more intuitive navigation

interactive exhibitions using multimedia and technology

"The site, which features the realistic design of a student's desk, has been designed with student users in mind," said Chattahoochee Technical College Webmaster David Powell. "It's a fun design, but it is functional. Students will be able to use menus to navigate through the college's information, as well as the search functions distinct to the website."

The new web site features expanded content and streaming media including embedded videos, access to social media, interactive campus maps and much more. The redesign incorporates bold colors and graphics and completely new navigational tools. The new Chattahoochee Technical College web site will play a pivotal role in future marketing and recruiting efforts of the college.　It is intended to communicate a brand personality that is student-centered, active, vibrant, engaged, exciting, current and real-world focused. Additionally, the new site combines the former sports site to provide seamless information for visitors.

While many visitors can access the page with cell phone technology, those with older phones may experience some difficulties. However, plans are underway to create a mobile site that complements the new website.

"It has been a massive undertaking," said Powell. "The site is much more user friendly now, which will help users to navigate it easier and find what they need."

Cartersville parade ignites Christmas season. Latest updates from the sheriff's office. Chilly weekend ahead, especially Sunday

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Cartersville's Christmas season under way

Facebook already is filling with compliments to the Exchange Club and what is being called downtown Cartersville's largest Christmas parade ever. Though cold, the evening was dry and crowds dense along the parade route. This photo is from the Downtown Development Authority's Facebook page.

Bartow complaint leads to Cumming man's arrest on stalking charges:

-Bartow County Sheriff's Office investigators have arrested a Cumming man on charges related to stalking. According to Sheriff Clark Millsap:

-An unnamed victim who works for the U.S. Postal Service in Cartersville filed a report with the Bartow County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 16. The report stated a person the victim knew from a previous job had been attempting to contact the victim via telephone and in person by following other mail personnel and asking for the victim.

-After investigation, it was determined that the offender, identified as Lawrence Leo Prairie, had been in the Cartersville area stalking the victim.

-On Wednesday, Dec. 1, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office (at request of Bartow County Sheriff's Office) located and arrested Prairie on one count of Stalking. Prairie was later transferred to the Bartow County Jail where he is currently incarcerated awaiting a bond hearing.

Thursday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

-Bartow Co. Sheriff Dept. Release: An Acworth man has been charged in connection with a theft of copper from an Acworth residence. According to Sheriff Millsap, David Ryan Henderson, 17, of 4629 Dawns Way, Acworth was arrested by a patrol deputy on 11-29-2010 in reference to a residential burglary and theft. Upon further investigation it was discovered that Henderson had also entered into another residence which was vacant on Creek Trail earlier that same morning. Henderson allegedly entered the residences to cut and take copper wiring for salvage. Henderson has been charged with one count of theft by taking and two counts each of burglary. He is being held at the Bartow County Jail pending a $21,500 bond.

Adairsville Baptist hosts pancake breakfast helping injured father of 5. Click

What's ahead at the Cartersville-Bartow chamber. Chamber

Nation to see Rome, NAIA game in HD on Dec. 18

-The third NAIA Football National Championship Game beaming from Barron Stadium Dec. 18 will be in high-definition on CBS College Sports Television. The game is set for 4:30 p.m. that Saturday. Niles Media Group is doing production of the game.Jason Knapp will be doing the play-by-play calls on TV, joined by color analyst Aaron Taylor (they did last year's game). The two teams playing for the title will be decided this coming Saturday. NAIA

-Latest NAIA/Greater Rome updates. Downtown

$3.16 million for Gordon County/GNTC College and Career Academy: Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle announces $3.16 million in College and Career Academy funding for the Gordon County Schools College and Career Academy, a partnership between the Gordon County school system and Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Details

 

Dining & Drink

-The peaks and valleys of public health restaurant inspection scores for Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga counties. Dining

-This is the weekend to tour the North Georgia wineries. Nine stops for a total of $20. Details: Wine News Vine

Your weekend forecast: Some rain Saturday, lots of cold Sunday

-Friday: 54 degrees, sunny; low of 32.

-Saturday: High of 57, 20% rain chance. Low of 32.

-Sunday: Sunny, high of 43, low of 23.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Norman's No-Nos: Auburn goes down to the Evil Genius in a shocker; well, then again . . .

John McClellan's High School football picks. Click McClellan

-Unbeatens Calhoun, Carver of Columbus clash Friday with the Yellow Jackets coming up 2 points short of championship bid.

Track the NAIA's final four:

-This Saturday decides who's coming to Rome for the NAIA title game Dec. 18. Your final four: Click

-NAIA spirit contest coming soon to downtown Rome. NAIA

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Annual half-price sale at Trading Post is Dec. 11.

-Big changes in 2011: Rome Braves get new manager, coaches.

-Coming in January: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering.

Clear skies, low 40s for tonight's Cartersville Christmas parade, tree lighting. Latest Bartow updates

Pleae click www.bartowheadlines.com:

Busy day ahead in Bartow County:

-Dec. 2: Cartersville City Council, 9 a.m. with an 8 a.m. work session. Agenda

-Dec. 2: Downtown Cartersville Tree Lighting Celebration. 5 p.m. Details

-Dec. 2: Cartersville Exchange Club Christmas Parade. Downtown beginning at 6 p.m. Forecast looks good; around 41 degrees at the start of the parade with little if any chance of rain. Rain date: Dec. 10. Details: Parade

Old Alabama stretch to open Dec. 9: The construction of a new stretch of Old Alabama Road/Ga. 113 connecting to I-75 at Red Top Mountain Road has been completed, and the road will be open to traffic on Dec. 9, weather permitting. DOT

Wednesday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

28th Annual Can-A-Thon rolls into Rome on Friday: Salvation Army says the need for canned and dry goods even stronger this year. Can-A-Thon

Dining & Drink

-The peaks and valleys of public health restaurant inspection scores for Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga counties. Several high scores and one surprise on the low side this week. Dining

-This is the weekend to tour the North Georgia wineries. Nine stops for a total of $20. Details: Wine News Vine

Your latest forecast:

-Thursday: Sunny, high of 50, low of 26.
-Friday: 56 degrees, sunny; low of 30.
-Weekend:  Some rain Saturday, colder Sunday.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Vol's Pearl is good for the game; could Vandy be leveraged into the 21st Century?

John McClellan's High School football picks. Click McClellan

-Unbeatens Calhoun, Carver of Columbus clash Friday with the Yellow Jackets coming up 2 points short of championship bid.

Track the NAIA's final four:

-This Saturday decides who's coming to Rome for the NAIA title game Dec. 18. Your final four: Click

-NAIA spirit contest coming soon to downtown Rome. NAIA

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Annual half-price sale at Trading Post is Dec. 11.

-Big changes in 2011: Rome Braves get new manager, coaches.

-Coming in January: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering.

DOT: Old Alabama Road in Bartow County open ahead of schedule

(Media release) Here's some good news for motorists in Bartow and Polk counties. The construction of a new stretch of Old Alabama Road/State Route (SR) 113 connecting to I-75 at Red Top Mountain Road has been completed, and the road will be open to traffic on Thursday, December 9, weather permitting. 

 

All 2.216 miles of widening and reconstruction on SR 113/Old Alabama Road, beginning at I-75 and extending to Paga Mine Road, including two bridges over CSX in Bartow County have been completed. This project has been under construction since early November 2008.  It was scheduled to be completed by the end of December 2010, at a construction cost of $24,315,620.

 

"We are glad to complete this construction project slightly ahead of schedule and give the new portion of SR 113 to the traveling public just in time for the holidays" said Kent Sager, district engineer at the Georgia DOT office in Cartersville. "Although some work remains to be done, construction is complete as far as the traveling public is concerned."  

Three new traffic signals on Red Top Mountain Road Connector at Red Top Mountain Road; Old Alabama Road at SR 293 Connector; and the new alignment of Old Alabama Road at SR 113 will begin flashing on Monday, December 6 and become operational on Thursday, December 9. Message board signs will also be used to help notify the traveling public of the upcoming opening of this new portion of Old Alabama Road.

 

Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other road project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

Parade, tree lighting Thursday night. After storms, cold moves in. Dismal turnout in runoff.

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com

Wednesday's Buzz:

-Thursday: Cartersville's downtown tree will be lit at 5 p.m. Thursday followed by the Cartersville Exchange Club Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Details.

-Dec. 11: Atlanta Pops due at The Grand. Details

-Chattahoochee Tech's website gets a new look starting today. CTC

Business Buzz:

-Look for second AutoZone in Cartersville.

-More on Chattanooga's latest big fish -- twin Amazon fulfillment centers.

Politics

-And you thought your election year went on forever: With Tuesday's general election runoff now history, even some of the region's most dedicated voters are breathing a sigh of relief. It was a busy campaign year for sure--but think about the elections office in Gordon County. Some voters there were asked to go the polls six times this year vs. four times in most other counties. In addition to the July 20 primary, Aug. 10 runoff, Nov. 2 general election and Tuesday's runoff, some Gordon voters took part in a May 11 special election to help select a new congressman and a state House member--and voted again on June 8 to pick the final winner of those two seats. Whew.

-Nahmias wins term on supreme court, McFadden Court of Appeals. Results

-County by county turnout in Tuesday's runoff:

-Gordon County: 528 voters, 2.15 % (click)

-Bartow County: 920 votes,1.85% (click)

-Floyd County: 1,751 voters or 3.9%

-Question for our state legislative delegation: Who will sponsor a bill to ban political 'robo calls' during the upcoming session of the General Assembly?

New cancer center coming to state's northeast side, too.

Tuesday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Your latest forecast:

-Storm aftermath: 1,62 inches of rain from 4 p.m. Monday until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 45. Gusts to 20 mph. Low of 25.

-Thursday: Sunny, high of 52, low of 27.
-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Miami bar should stay out of wagering business; former Hawk player driving a cab.

John McClellan's High School football picks. Click McClellan

-Unbeatens Calhoun, Carver of Columbus clash Friday with the Yellow Jackets coming up 2 points short of championship bid.

Track the NAIA's final four:

-This Saturday decides who's coming to Rome for the NAIA title game Dec. 18. Your final four: Click

-NAIA spirit contest coming soon to downtown Rome. NAIA

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Annual half-price sale at Trading Post is Dec. 11.

-Big changes in 2011: Rome Braves get new manager, coaches.

-Coming in January: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering.