Freezing rain possible in some parts of NW Georgia; Bartow exempt so far. More rain coming. Latest on Dream Parks proposal. Sheriff's reports.

Please click http://www.bartowheadlines.com/:

Freezing rain possible overnight in NW Georgia; Bartow clear.

-Weather statement: Freezing rain is possible between 2 and 10 a.m. along and north of a line from Rome to Helen. Bartow County is not in the "watch area" at this hour but communities to the west and north are. No accumulation is expected but it could make roads and bridges slick in some spots. Details

-Wednesday: A balmy high of 47, low of 32. .

-Thursday: High of 50, low of 34. Rain chance: 20%.

-New Year's Eve: High of 60. Low of 46; 50% rain chance.

-New Year's Day: High of 62; 70% rain chance. Low of 49.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

New details on LakePoint Sporting Community & Town Center

-The developers of the billion-dollar mixed-use Dream Parks sports campus proposed between U.S. 41 and I-75 as well as the city of Emerson have filed the required "development of regional impact" application with planners. While it answers some questions about the "privately funded" project backed in part by retired Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox and others, there are key blanks that will require revision such as traffic, water, sewage and other infrastructure needs. What's included:

-It will feature a 248-acre sports complex.

-The overall size is 1,401.28 acres.

-Planned are 1,883,000 square feet of retail space. That's almost four times the square footage under roof at Mount Berry Square.

-Also due: 551,000 square feet of office space. Again imagine Mount Berry Square--and add the equivalent of two Circuit City locations.

-Another 600,000 square feet for mixed use. A media release earlier said "4,000 hotel keys" will be on site as well as 20 restaurants and entertainment venues.

-Total buildout: 2020. First use of sporting venues

Finally, a little warmer after a low of 20. Rain ahead. Latest dining updates. Jail reports

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com

Specialty Hospital begins search for employees

-The $22 million Specialty Hospital, a joint venture between Floyd Medical Centerand RehabCare, is due in early 2011. Rehab has started advertising to fill positions with the 24-bed center for " serve patients who require intensive medical care for an extended period of time." Sought are registered nurses, ICU staff, respiratory therapist and others. You can apply with Ashley C. Smith, HR Manager, via E-mail or click on the Rehab website.

Dining & Drink

-More free pizza--well, almost: Little Caesar's is offering a buy-one, get-one deal through today. You have to fill out a simple registration before printing or getting a mobile copy of the coupon. You'll find stores in Cartersville, Calhoun and Rome. A second Little Caesar's is coming to rome, at 2004 Shorter Ave, the site of the former Tokyo Express. Opening: February or early March. Click

-You can reserve a free Chick-Fil-A spicy chicken biscuit now. Click

-Wednesday: The Floyd County Commission will have a Called Meeting at 8:30 a.m. to review a request for approval for an Alcohol License for Opi’s Roadhouse. The meeting will be held in the Conference Room, located on the 2nd floor of the Floyd County Administration Building. Opi's is at Ga. 53 and 140 in Shannon.Opi's Facebook

Year in review and what's ahead: Retail

-Now through Friday, we're looking at the key stories in our business community this year and what to expect in 2011. These are the same commentaries you hear each day on The Druck Report at 7:40 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. on WRGA 1470 AM, sponsored by 333 on Broad.

-Today's focus: Retail. Year's rough start has smooth end. Druck Report

Monday's Bartow County Jail reports. Incident Reports // Jail Intake Report

Your latest forecast: A little more warmth today after 20 for a low.

-Tuesday: Sunny, high near 44. Low of 23.

-Wednesday: A balmy 51, low of 30.

-New Year's Eve: 40% chance of rain, low of 46.

-New Year's Day: High of 61--but 60% rain chance.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey

-Just how in the heck can you miss curfew in downtown Shreveport?

White stuff could stick one more day; low tonight: 18. Buzz of Northwest Georgia. What's ahead in Bartow County

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia. Buzz

-Marriott interested in potential full-service hotel in West Third district?

-Loveliest Lips contest honors downtown business woman, raises awareness of women's heart health.

Your latest forecast: Another cold one tonight.

-Our 'White Christmas' might linger another day.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 35. Gusts to 25 mph. Low of 18.
-Tuesday: Sunny, high near 43. Low of 20. 

Year in review and what's ahead:

-Now through Friday, we're looking at the key stories in our business community this year and what to expect in 2011. These are the same commentaries you hear each day on The Druck Report at 7:40 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. on WRGA 1470 AM, sponsored by 333 on Broad.

-Today's focus: Healthcare and higher education. Click Druck Report

Sunday's Bartow County Jail reports. Incident Reports // Jail Intake Report

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey

-I'm willing to take an oath: I've never received an improper benefit from a tattoo parlor.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Jan. 31: Phil Niekro to headline Rome Braves' Hot Stove Gathering: The Rome Braves announce that Major League Baseball and Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro will highlight a group of special guests for the 2011 Hot Stove Gathering at The Forum.  Sports

1 to 3 inches of snow possible in Cartersville on Christmas Day.

Please click http://www.bartowheadlines.com/

1 to 3 inches of snow possible Christmas Day, Sunday

-Weather service update: The storm will start with rain on Christmas Eve and then switch to a 70 percent chance of snow and rain Christmas Day, followed by a 50 percent chance of snow Christmas night. Travelers can expect wintry weather heading north or even south of Atlanta. Weather statement.

-Updates all Christmas weekend on Hometown Headlines.

-Thursday: Sunny, high of 47, low of 25.

-Christmas Eve: High 51, low of 34. 30% chance of rain.

-Christmas:70% snow, rain chance, high of 38, low of 27. 50% snow chance.

-Sunday: Sunny, high of 38, low of 21.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Region sees drop in jobless rate -- and number of jobs -- in November

	November employed	November unemployed	November % jobless	October employed	Nov. 2009 employed
Bartow	40,037	5,315	11.7%	40,013	40,399
Chattooga	9,124	1,242	12.0%	9,168	9,076
Floyd	43,663	5,209	10.7%	43,686	44,276
Gordon	21,685	3,039	12.3%	21,693	21,315
Polk	18,206	2,129	10.5%	18,260	18,778
State	4,197,320	482,195	10.3%	4,208,205	4,251,350

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

-The November jobless rate was good news for Bartow, Gordon and Polk counties as the percentage of people out of work dropped compared to the same month in 2009. -The unemployment rate climbed in Floyd and Chattooga counties as well as the state.

-What's a concern: The first column in the above grid shows the number of people working in each county last month. The numbers in red indicate there were fewer people working there in November 2010 vs. November 2009.

-Gordon County posted the highest jobless rate followed by Chattooga and Bartow.

-Closer look at the November reports. Employment

Radio personalities, Burkhalter save caller from possible suicide Tuesday:

-A caller's cryptic message -- 'I’m going through some hard times but I’m over it now. You’re gonna be the last person I talk to' -- prompt South 107's Kevin Daniels, Moby and Sheriff Tim Burkhalter to take desperate measures to save Gordon County man's life and maybe his family, too. Details

Christmas updates:

-All construction-related lane closures in Northwest Georgia will be suspended for the Christmas holidays, beginning at noon Thursday and continuing until 5 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 27. 

-Gas price get even higher: Merry Christmas! You're seeing gas prices at their highest level since October 2008--and still climbing. We're paying 50 cents more a gallon than we did a year ago. Even with that Kroger 40-cent-per-gallon discount with gift card purchases, we still paid $2.50 a gallon Wednesday in Rome. Gas Prices

Today's Buzz:

-Latest updates from the chamber of commerce: busy January. Chamber

-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores. Click Dining

-Wednesday's Bartow County Jail reports. Incident Reports // Jail Intake Report

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey

-Break up the American League East. Is Oregon's Brian Kelly really coach of the year?

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Jan. 31: Phil Niekro to headline Rome Braves' Hot Stove Gathering: The Rome Braves announce that Major League Baseball and Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro will highlight a group of special guests for the 2011 Hot Stove Gathering at The Forum.  Sports

60% chance of a white Christmas in Bartow County. Latest on Dream Parks at Lake Point

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

You guessed it: A 60% chance of a white Christmas

-The National Weather Service now predicts a 60% chance of snow/rain on Christmas Day with a high of just 38 degrees. There's a 30% chance of snow that night as well. A special weather statement says some accumulation is possible in the north part of the state.

-We'll continue to track the forecast throughout the holiday.

-Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: High of 57; low of 29. 20% rain chance.

Business

-Perfect Game USA to move 50 employees from Cedar Rapids to Bartow sports hub: An update on Friday's announcement on the billion-dollar sports campus planned near Emerson. Perfect Game USA, already committed to the Bartow site, plans to move up to 50 of its employees from the Iowa headquarters. Details

-An earlier story reported Perfect Game was in talks with developers in 'Cobb County' and Kissimmee in Central Florida. Details

-Follow Dream Parks at Lake Point on Facebook.

Dining

-Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse celebrating second anniversary with Jan. 7 wine dinner: The award-winning barbecue spot near the Covered Bridge in Euharlee celebrates its second anniversary next month with a special wine dinner on Jan. 7.(Menu) It begins at 7 p.m. Cost: For reservations, call 770-383-3383. Facebook

-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores. Click Dining

Today's Buzz:

-NAIA brings $1.5 million to local economy in 2010. Expanded report.

-Ga. Northwestern expands programs into Whitfield, Murray counties. Click

The 2010 Census results. Click

-U.S. population: 308,745,533.

-Georgia's population: 9,687,653, up from 8,186,453 or 18.3 percent from 2000 Census.

-What it means: Georgia gains a 14th seat in Congress. Gov.-elect Nathan Deal will call the General Assembly into special session next year to draw new districts for state House and Senate members as well as Congress.

-Says U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey: "We will not know where the 14th Congressional District will be until our state lawmakers begin drawing the new maps." He called the gain a "testament to the economic growth and high quality of life for which our state is known." Gingrey's 11th district includes much of Northwest Georgia.

Christmas updates:

-All construction-related lane closures in Northwest Georgia will be suspended for the Christmas holidays, beginning at noon Thursday and continuing until 5 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 27. 

-Rising gas prices--Merry Christmas? Just in time for that holiday trip, you're seeing gas prices are at their highest level since October 2008. We're paying 45 cents more a gallon than we did a year ago. Georgia Gas Prices

Sheriff's office charges two with armed robbery: (Media release) The Bartow County Sheriff’s Office has charged two Cartersville men in connection with an armed robbery which occurred last week According to Sheriff Clark Millsap, investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division arrested Jeremy Starr Prather, 33, and Nicholas Tyler Cordell, 20, on numerous charges stemming from the Dec. 16 robbery at the Banana Boat Store.

CTC: Pell grant funds can be used for books, too. Click

AT &T Pioneers donate handcrafts to CMC nursery. Click

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

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey

-Shaq conducts himself with grace; there are fans, then there are Auburn fans.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Jan. 31: Phil Niekro to headline Rome Braves' Hot Stove Gathering: The Rome Braves announce that Major League Baseball and Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro will highlight a group of special guests for the 2011 Hot Stove Gathering at The Forum.  Sports

CTC: Pell grant funds can be used for books, too.

Students receiving the Federal Pell Grant to pay for classes at Chattahoochee Technical College will now have the opportunity to use up to $300 of funds in the campus bookstore. This new policy goes into effect for Winter Quarter 2011.

"We’re getting a jump on a new federal policy to benefit our students," said Executive Director of Student Financial Services Jody Darby. "This new policy will allow students to purchase some of their needed books and supplies in the campus bookstores using Pell on the first day of the quarter, if eligible."

If a student’s tuition and fees are fully paid by either financial aid (HOPE, Pell, etc.) or by other sources, he or she may use up to $300 in Federal Pell Grant funds in the CTC bookstores. If a student has used Pell Grant in the bookstore and withdraws completely from the college or drops all classes for a quarter, he or she may be required to return those funds to CTC before being allowed to re-enroll or having records released.

The new policy will impact about half of Chattahoochee Technical College’s 13,000 students. According to Darby, almost 50 percent of students at the college received Pell Grant funds as a part of their financial aid package during Fall Quarter 2010. The college has paid out more than 7,500 such grants during summer and fall quarters.

The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2010-11 award year (July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011) is $5,550. The amount a student receives depends not only on financial need, but also the costs to attend school, status as a full-time or part-time student and plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

Should students have questions, Student Financial Services has staff on all of CTC’s campuses to assist.
Students may apply for Pell and all other aid available from CTC at www.fafsa.ed.gov (code 005620).

For more information on scholarships and other sources of aid, students can go to
http://www.gacollege411.org/, http://www.fastweb.com/, or http://www.ed.gov/.

AT & T Pioneers donate handmade crafts to CMC's nursery

The Nursery at Cartersville Medical Center received early Christmas gifts this year. The Rome Council of the AT&T Pioneers donated handmade “sock babies” for new mothers and babies. Used to promote infant bonding, “sock babies” are soft and soothing for newborns.

“The sock baby is first placed on the mother and absorbs her scent, then it’s placed in the crib with the baby,” said Nikki Bentley, director of perinatal services at Cartersville Medical Center. “The mother’s scent is recognized by the baby and therefore provides comfort and a soothing feeling for the baby,” said Bentley. Sock babies are also wonderful when babies require transfer to another hospital and are physically apart from their mother for a period of time, according to Bentley.

A national project of AT&T Pioneers, the Rome Council provides sock babies to five counties in Northwest Georgia, including Bartow, Floyd, Polk, Gordon and Cherokee.

“We are so thankful to be able to provide these wonderful handmade gifts to our new moms and babies,” said Bentley.

For more information about perinatal services and classes at Cartersville Medical Center, call MedLine at 800.242.5662 or visit http://www.cartersvillemedical.com/.

For more information about the AT&T Pioneers, log on to http://www.attpioneers.org/.























For more information about the AT&T Pioneers, log on to www.attpioneers.org.