Hometown Mobile: Wednesday updates from www.hometownheadlines.com

WXIA reports on K98 bus, swiped for scrap metal, and arrest: Tuesday night's 11Alive News featured a story on the fate of the one-time K98 bus and local entrepreneur Thom Holt. The report by Jaye Watson tracked the bus from where it was stolen to where it apparently was reduced to around $2,500 worth of scrap metal. Holt says the suspect in the case, now in custody, called him to attempt to resolve the matter outside the court system. No deal, said Holt. Included with the story: A video report> WXIA

Wednesday's Buzz

>What's next for Hooters' stadium site?: The planned Hooters in front of State Mutual Stadium has been stripped of Hooters paraphernalia. As of Tuesday evening, the only orange visible outside the new structure were exterior lights. Everything else signaling the arrival of a new home for the Rome franchise is gone. Even the original "coming soon" sign facing the Bypass. This was to be the opening week for the new Hooters after the franchise holders, including Brian Bowles, went before the city's Alcohol Control Commission seeking approval for outdoor bands and the like. (Archive) That was before R.H. Ledbetter Properties had the franchise evicted from the Hicks Drive site earlier this month. We have calls and e-mails into Alexis Aleshire, public relations and marketing at Hooters corporate in Atlanta, for updates. She did not return either as of this morning.

>Five Guys job fair continues: Applicants for jobs at Five Guys Burgers and Fries (thanks, NA) should report to the Rome office of the Georgia Department of Labor at 462 Riverside Parkway today and Thursday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

>WOW adds outdoor dining: Fans of the new WOW Cafe & Wingery can dine outside these days as a patio area has been added between the storefronts off Martha Berry.

>More Thai food in the region: River Thai Cuisine is open at 328 E Main St. near the former home of Fat City Donuts at the intersection of Joe Harris Parkway. Lunch and dinner are being served; call 770-387-1420. There was a pretty good crowd inside Memorial Day based on the cars out front.

>Horizon Travel Plaza site for sale for $4.5 million: The Horizon Travel Plaza on U.S. 411 near I-75 is on the market for a cool $4.5 million (listing). It closed recently as did a two-month-old Horizon Travel Plaza in Valdosta (story).

Sports

>Norman Arey's Sports: Junior's switch from 8 to 88 means real big numbers for marketing company>Arey

>Braves win midday showdown with Hickory, 5-4>Home Run Headlines

>Smoltz scheduled to pitch an inning in Rome Thursday night> Sports

>Cartersville vs. Stephens County in high school AAA showdown> Bartow

Weather Center

>60 percent chance of rain, high of 84> WeatherCenter

Downtown Headlines

>Poetry night returns; what's ahead downtown> Downtown Headlines

Gas watch/Prices almost stable since Monday (updated 5/26)

>Statewide average climbs to $3.91: A year ago, we were paying $3.05 for a gallon of unleaded and were fuming about it. This morning, the statewide average is at $3.91, up another dime since last Monday.

Bartow

Chattooga

Floyd

Gordon

Polk

Georgia

Range

$3.85-

$4.10

$3.88-

$3.96

$3.86-