Cartersville man latches onto $225K Fantasy 5 prize

Media release:  A towering Georgia Lottery prize has made its way into one Cartersville man's backyard. Lynn Pack, self-employed in backyard fencing, won the $225,091 jackpot prize from the Nov. 30 Fantasy 5 drawing from matching all five winning numbers.

 

Jo Jo's Market, 851 Euharlee Road S.W. in Euharlee, sold the winning Quik Pik ticket.

 

Winning numbers from the Nov. 30 Fantasy 5 drawing were: 5-6-8-16-19.

 

Pack especially is excited about his windfall since he'll be celebrating his 62^nd birthday this month.

 

He and his wife, Geralyn, have two sons.

"We're both close to retirement, so this will supplement our income," Pack shared.

Severe weather possible today as cold front sweeps region; updates all day. Buzz: What's next for downtown; what's next for General Assembly? John McClellan's high school championship picks

For these updates and today's latest headlines, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Thunderstorms likely through 4 p.m.; up to an inch of rain.

-The first 'watch' of the day is up as a strong storm is expected to move through Chattooga County by 6:15 a.m.

-The first of two cold fronts due this week will arrive later today, packing some punch and potentially a few thunderstorms between now and 4 p.m.

-We'll have updates throughout the day.

-Monday: 70% rain chance, high of 65, low of 36.

-Tuesday: Sunny, high of 49, low of 31.

-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 55, low of 30.

What's Buzzing in Northwest Georgia. Click Buzz
-What next for downtown Rome: With a key study due and another set of shifts under way, what's next for the crossroads of Northwest Georgia?
-Legislative makeover: Two new faces -- both Republicans and both from Floyd -- join the local legislative delegation for next month's opening of the Georgia General Assembly. First of two parts.
-Dateline Rome, Ga.: A prime example of what hosting events such as the NAIA football championship means in terms of national exposure for Northwest Georgia.

Gas prices: AAA South reports prices down two cents a gallon statewide.
-Comparing local brands: This week, Murphy Oil.

John McClellan's final high school champion picks of 2012:
-Look for the Yellowjackets to repeat as the top AA team in the state, John says. McClellan

Latest jail reports.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests Monday including:

-Noah Simon, assistant county manager, on Monday's huge auction of the county's surplus property.

-Jennifer Greer, Floyd County schools' math specialist, on new tutoring program.

Cartersville hosts Buford in huge football playoff game tonight. $3.4 million for college and career academy. Honors fo CMC's Sandln. Warmer, maybe wetter, weekend. Public health restaurant scores.

For these and today's latest headlines, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Dining

-Thursday's Public Health restaurant scores from Floyd, Bartow.

The Buzz

-Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle announces $3.4 million in College and Career Academy funding for the Bartow County College and Career Academy

-Cartersville Medical's Keith Sandlin honored.

-Another big Christmas celebration set for downtown Cartersville Saturday.

-Latest chamber updates,

Football: Buford at Cartersville tonight

-John McClellan's high school playoff picks for Calhoun and Cartersville.
-Life 93.5 FM to carry WBHF's broadcast of Cartersville-Buford game tonight.
-Norman Arey's Norman's No-No's returns next week with the first bowl edition.
-Cartersville's Barden among championship coaches profiled by High School Daily.

-The 12 and under All-Star Canes will be traveling to Thomason this Saturday to play for the Georgia Parks and Recreation Association State football title

 

Berry picks uniform style for inaugural football season.
-Uniforms come from two of the 270 ideas received.
-Berry begins playing NCAA Division III football in August.

Warmer, maybe wetter, weekend on the way

-Friday: 20% chance of rain, high of 64, low of low of 47.

-Saturday: 20% rain chance, high of 68, low of 51.

-Sunday: 20% rain chance, high of 72, low of 52.

Latest jail reports.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests today including:

-Bob Lowe, Berry College's director of sports information and promotions, discusses the uniforms to be worn by the school's first football team next fall.

-Hometown Headlines/WRGA News Roundtable: News Director Kevin Karel, Andrew Carter and perhaps Nelle Reagan join us to talk about the week's top stories and what's ahead as the year comes to an end.

Cartersville Medical Center president and ceo Keith Sandlin wins statewide hospital hero award

ATLANTA – Cartersville Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keith Sandlin was awarded the prestigious Georgia Hospital Heroes Award at the Georgia Hospital Association's (GHA) annual Hospital Heroes Awards luncheon Dec. 4 in Atlanta. Sandlin, who was one of only 10 individuals statewide to receive the award, was recognized for his many years of successful leadership as the hospital's first and only CEO.

 

Sandlin has served as president and CEO of Cartersville Medical Center for 29 years, the longest within the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) organization, the hospital's parent company. In these years, he has not only established himself as a great leader, but he has also brought positive change to the hospital and its community.

 

Two-and-a-half decades ago, Cartersville was a small town with a small, rural hospital. As the county and city expanded, so did the hospital. Under Sandlin's leadership, it grew from 62 beds to 112 beds. He has facilitated 11 expansion projects, including four medical office buildings and a new emergency department. He has also recruited over 100 full-time physicians in multiple specialties, allowing the provision of many services that were not locally available in the past. He worked for a decade and went through multiple certificate of need (CON) applications to obtain approval to build The Hope Center, a thriving regional cancer center.

 

Even while working to bring new services and features to the hospital, Sandlin always takes the time to visit units, walk the halls and greet each person by his or her first name. He is well-respected by the staff due to his warm-hearted nature and enthusiasm for the hospital and its community.

 

Sandlin's involvement in the community does not stop at the hospital level. He has served on several local boards, including the Cartersville Rotary Club and the Cartersville Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the American Hospital Association's Regional Policy Board for six southeastern states.

 

"Under Keith Sandlin's leadership, Cartersville Medical Center has transformed from a small, rural hospital with limited services to a large regional medical center with a wide array of essential health care services," said Joe Parker, president of GHA. "He leads by example, and not only is he admired within the Cartersville community, he is one of the most respected, influential health care leaders in our state. He is a deserving recipient of this award."

 

GHA's Hospital Heroes Awards are presented every year to 10 individuals who display outstanding service to the health care field; in addition, one individual is presented with a Lifetime Achievement award, signifying at least 30 years of service.

Ice skating rink, tree lighting, parade on tap for Cartersville later today. Updates on Cartersville vs. Buford: radio, projected scores. Latest Public Health restaurant scores. Mid-60s, partly cloudy today.

For these and today's latest headlines, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Parade season continues with Cartersville, Cedartown tonight, several more on Saturday.

-Ice skating rink, tree lighting part of today's big events in downtown Cartersville.

-Forecast looks clear with temperatures in the upper 50s.

Darlington ('90) grad Will Muschamp named SEC co-Coach of the Year after 11-1 season at Florida.

Life 93.5 FM will simulcast Cartersville-Buford high school football playoff game Friday night.
-Calhoun needs one more win to get back to finals.

Jane Slickman of Garden Lakes Realty named Greater Rome's Realtor of the Year.

Regional Public Health restaurant inspection scores:
-From a low of 70 in Chattooga to 95-and-better scores in Floyd, Gordon, Bartow and Polk.

High School Football Daily: Easy win for Calhoun Friday; three-point loss for Cartersville.

Temperatures remain high through the weekend; mid-50s by Tuesday

-Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high of 64, low of 45.

-Friday: Mostly cloudy, high of 65, low of low of 48.

-Saturday: 20% rain chance, high of 68, low of 49.

Latest jail reports.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests today including:

-Chris Lewis, who's family is trying to keep several chickens in their Rome back yard, a story that has developed a national following.

-Jason Free of Keller Williams Northwest and president of the Greater Rome Board of Realtors on November sales and into the new year.

Hometown Christmas Coloring and Essay Contest Winners -- plus a closer look at this Saturday's Hometown Celebration

Media release: Many residents will likely be fully immersed in the Christmas season after Thursday evening's annual Christmas Parade through historic downtown. Continuing the momentum of the holiday spirit, Cartersville Downtown Development Authority and Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce have partnered to present Hometown Christmas, which will be held this Saturday, December 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Meant to encourage community residents to shop locally, both organizations have worked together to create a festive atmosphere for residents and visitors alike to enjoy shopping and dining in downtown Cartersville.  Activities will include trolley rides, sponsored by Cartersville Medical Center; choral and dance performances; marshmallow roasting provided by Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse Express; photo opportunities with Santa; and much more.

 "The Chamber and DDA hope that we can restore some nostalgia for our quaint downtown through Hometown Christmas," said DDA Manager Tara Currier. "Many years ago, it was very common to shop at the local five and dime store, stop by the soda shop for a beverage, or hit the large department store located downtown when it came to holiday shopping. With so many options available today, including big box retailers, malls and online shopping, our hope is that people will get back to that notion of going downtown to purchase gifts for friends and family. We have so many wonderful stores – ranging from sporting goods, to home goods, to cookware, toys and clothes. Hopefully people will be drawn downtown on December 8 to check out these great stores and restaurants, but we have put together a great schedule of events and activities to help entice them even more to experience a "Hometown Christmas."

Though the hours of many downtown shops and restaurants are extended beyond 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., those four hours are going to be filled with a variety of fun, holiday entertainment. The following is the schedule of events for Friendship Plaza:

-11:00 a.m.: Hamilton Crossing Choral

-11:30 a.m.: Fusion Dance

- Noon: Announcement of winners for the essay and coloring contests

- 12:30 p.m.: Cartersville School of Ballet

- 1:00 p.m.: Woodland High School C.A.T.S.

- 1:30 p.m.: Pumphouse Players

- 2:00 p.m.: South Central Middle School Band

From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., marshmallow roasting will also be available in Friendship Plaza, sponsored by Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse Express, and free hot cocoa will be served courtesy of Downtown Development Authority. Beginning at Noon, trolley rides, sponsored by Cartersville Medical Center, will be given throughout the downtown district, and Santa Claus will be available for photo opportunities (just bring your own camera). The trolley rides and photo opportunities with Santa will be available until 2:00 p.m.

            Various stores will also be providing various activities or incentives for customers from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The newly opened Asbury Station, located under the bridge, will offer free face painting in their store; Meg Pie will have samples of some of their popular dip mixes; and Downtown Gallery will be giving a 10 percent discount on all prints purchased. The Chamber of Commerce is also excited to welcome LifeSong Montessori who will be providing a fun activity for kids.

Hometown Christmas is sure to be an exciting day for the entire family, and the Chamber of Commerce and DDA hope that in addition to enjoying the array of great activities and events, residents will 'Buy Bartow' this Christmas season.  After all, it is the small businesses throughout our community that make up the backbone of Bartow County, not only employing our friends, neighbors and family, but also supporting our local school systems, non-profits, and sporting teams throughout the year. For additional details about Hometown Christmas, call the DDA office at 770-607-3480 or the Chamber of Commerce at 770-382-1466 or visit either organization's Facebook page.

 

Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. salutes the following winners of our Hometown Christmas coloring and essay contest.  The kids wrote on "Why I am going to spend my Christmas Money in my Hometown this year"

 

Coloring Contest Winners:

 

K – Talan Nix – Mission Road Elementary School

1 – Ribadlo Gasca – Hamilton Crossing Elementary School

2 – Marissa Ceresori- Excel Christian Academy

3 – Brayson Hyde – Emerson Elementary School

4 – Kayla Cantor – Allatoona Elementary School

5 – Bella Spencer – Excel Christian Academy

Grand Prize – Joseph Grunwald – Allatoona Elementary School

 

Essay Contest Winners

 

6 – Taylor Pogue – Cartersville Middle School

7 – Emily Long – Cass Middle School

8 - Amelia Payne – Woodland Middle School

Grand Prize - Kailee Kittle – Cass Middle School

 

 

In Adairsville:

 

Coloring Contest Winners

K -  Landon Walraven - Clear Creek Elementary

1 -  Blade Benefield - Adairsville Elementary

2 -  Luis Almanza (Adairsville Elementary

3 -  Hannah Abernathy (Pine Log Elementary

4 -  Justin Hernandez (Adairsville Elementary

5 - Vicky Perez (Clear Creek Elementary

 

Essay Contest Winners

6 - Havyn Isaac - Adairsville Middle

7 - Paige Kerr -  Adairsville Middle

8 - Abby Ashbridge -  Adairsville Middle

 

 

Please come out and see the winners riding on our float in the Cartersville Parade Thursday December 6 at 6:00 pm and the Adairsville Parade Saturday December 8 at 6:00 pm.

 

Please find attached Hometown Christmas Press Release for Saturday, December 8!

 

Go to our website to see some of the winning entries.

High School Daily: Hurricanes a 'cinderella' for state title. Another honor for Cartersville Medical. 50% rain chance today.

For these and today's latest headlines, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

High School Football Daily: Computers like Calhoun's chances; list Cartersville as a 'Cinderella' team.

 

Another honor for Cartersville Medical Center.

 

Dec. 6: 'Backyard chickens' come before the planning commission again: Among the issues on the December agenda is the Lewis family's bid to continue raising chickens in their backyard. The issue has gained national attention following earlier reviews by the planning commission and Rome City Commission.
-Also up for review: An application regarding "distilleries," perhaps a craft beer or microbrewery (not associated with Brewhouse Music & Grill's plans on Broad Street).
-The meeting begins at 2:30 p.m.

Home sales about flat vs. November 2011; up through 11 months. With a plus year guaranted already, the slight drop in home sales in November basically was a blip in Greater Rome. Realtors sold 65 homes last month vs. 66 homes a year earlier.

Rome ties record heat mark of 75 degrees on Tuesday; next: rain.
-Wednesday: 50% chance of rain, high of 68, low of 44.
-Thursday: 20% rain chance, high of 64, low of 44.
-Friday: 20% chance of rain, high of 61, low of low of 47.

Expanded NAIA football championship coverage begins today: We're devoting a page to the big game set for Dec. 13 as we look at every impact the NAIA national title fight has on Rome this season and next, the last in an abridged series.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m., WRGA 1470 AM:

-Bob Berry and Ann Hortman of the NAIA Host Committee on the events surrounding the Dec. 13 game.

-Matt Pearce of the Small Business Development Center in Rome on year-end and next-year business planning.