Hometown Mobile: Friday updates from www.hometownheadlines.com

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Media

Cox gets OK to buy WRGA's sister stations in Athens; FCC scolds Coosa Valley News over protest: A story in today's Athens newspapers says the $60 million deal for the five Athens-area stations has been blessed by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC did so after reviewing two challenges, including one from Thom Holt's Coosa Valley News. Says the paper:

"... Coosa Valley News objected to the Southern Broadcasting application by alleging that Paul Stone was an undisclosed agent for a permit application for a radio station in Plainville. The FCC scolded CVN in its rejection of the challenge, citing a lack of evidence and warning CVN not to misuse FCC procedure in a vendetta against a business competitor." Howard Toole, general manager of Stone's stations in Athens, won an FCC auction for the new Plainville FM signal. Holt and partners continue to challenge that award, citing Southern Broadcasting's ownership of WRGA, Q102, WSRM, WGJK and South 107 and dominance in this market.

Zion Farms on the market for $6 million: The real estate site LoopNet has the Zion Farms property on the market for $6 million. Earlier this year, the property was rumored to be of interest to Truett Cathy and several country entertainers. Zion Farms closed to the public late last year and has been used mostly by the family ever since. The LoopNet listing says the farm covers 437 acres and offers a series of cottages and specialty buildings. For more, click Zion Farms

Budweiser deal hitting close to home: International brewer InBev has ordered up a Bud--and every other asset owned by Anheuser-Busch--in a deal said to be worth more than $46.3 billion (story). Among those assets: The brewery near Cartersville, which employs around 600 people, and Metal Container Co. near Rome, which employs about 100 people. The InBev deal has received positive reaction from international financial concerns but also has sparked a "Save Budweiser" rallying cry from brand loyalists (click Save). InBev officials have said they would not close any U.S. breweries and would keep the company based in St. Louis.

Planning commission rejects rezoning of former church land: By a 9-0 vote and citing an lack of information, planning commissioners rejected the rezoning of the former DaySpring church site on U.S. 411 and Callier Springs Road. Also: review of plans for an auto body shop at 844 Turner McCall were postponed.

Today, Monday final day to register to vote in July 15 primary: New or lapsed voters have today and Monday left to qualify to vote in the upcoming primary. Visit the elections office at 12 E. Fourth Ave. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. e

-Advanced voting is Monday, July 7-Friday, July 11. You can vote at the elections office, 12 E. Fourth Ave., or at the Rome Civic Center. Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

-The primary is Tuesday, July 15, with precincts open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

-Democratic ballot: Floyd County clerk of superior courts; U.S. Senate, PSC.

-Republican ballot: Two seats on the public service commission.

Live Web cam lets visitors track Darlington's new Middle School construction: Visitors to www.darlingtonschool.org are seeing a new icon directing them to a live Web camera focused on the new middle school construction. Work get under way last month on the project. Check back for regular updates and you'll find a link to ways to donate to help with the fund-raising campaign> Camera

>Unity Christian accredited by Christian schools group; SACS next> Buzz

>Cox newest member of Floyd school board> Schools

Updated/Latest restaurant dining scores for Northwest Georgia: Lowest score of the week is a 39 from a Bartow County wings restaurant> Dining

Sports

>Norman Arey: Hiring Bill Curry as head coach a huge 'W' for Georgia State football

>Braves lose thriller, 4-3; end first-half homestand with just 10 wins at State Mutual in 34 tries> Sports

Weather

>30 percent chance of rain, high of 92. Saturday's forecast: 40 percent rain chance. A little better on Sunday> WeatherCenter

Downtown Headlines

> Forum adds cruisers to help with parking--and maybe bottom line if advertisers step up. Also: Museum gets $1,000 grant from Rome foundation >Also: Entertainment options this weekend> Downtown Headlines

Traffic

>More work on I-75 Southbound this weekend: Georgia DOT is advising motorists in northwest Georgia of a single lane closure on I-75 between Exits 273 and 269, scheduled for this weekend. The right lane of I-75 southbound on that stretch of the interstate will be closed from 7 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. Monday to allow for work on paving lane two. The construction work on this portion of I-75 and the lane closure it necessitates are weather permitting and subject to change.

Gas watch/Local prices climb again (updated 6/12)

Statewide average 'steady' at $3.99: A year ago, we were paying $2.92 for a gallon of unleaded. Today, the state average is at $3.99, up eight cents in a week.