Thursday updates

Campaign finance reports:

>District 11 challenger Betty Brady collects $7,795: Expenditures for the Summerville Republican are at $1,369 while she had $6,425 for fall showdown with Democratic incumbent Barbara Massey Reece> Brady

>House 14/D'Arezzo posts $2,755: Democrat Rick D'Arezzo reports contributions of $2,755 for the period, mostly from his family. Expenditures were at $637 leaving him $2,118 in the bank. D'Arezzo faces Republican incumbent Barry Loudermilk in the Nov. 4 general election. Loudermilk has until Tuesday to file his report> D'Arezzo

>Check on candidates as they file> State Ethics Committee

Bistro 239 brings Open Table to Rome: Think of it as an online reservation service that works something like frequent flier miles. The service is the rage in Atlanta> Dining Guide

>Joint downtown's promotions/marketing meeting is Tuesday>Downtown

>Town hall forum set on 'Levee' baseball> Below

>Closer look at GHC-KSU plans in Paulding County> Highlands

Holiday Updates:

>23 deaths forecast on state highways: Traffic estimates from the Georgia Department of Transportation's Crash Reporting Unit and the Georgia State Patrol are for 2,315 traffic crashes, 1,094 injuries and 23 traffic deaths. 

>Roadwork suspended for holiday: DOT is scaling back its construction projects across Northwest Georgia – suspending related lane closures on all interstate and major state system highways, including the concrete paving project on I-75 between Barrett Parkway and Glade Road – through Sunday to ease the 4th of July weekend traffic congestion.  Beginning at noon, Thursday, and continuing until 5 a.m., Monday, there essentially will be no scheduled lane closures on any Northwest Georgia interstate highway or primary state route.

>Reeceburg Road is reduced to one lane north of Burkhalter Road and will remain so until 4this afternoon.  There could be some traffic delays.Use Bethel Church, Jake Whorton and Burkhalter roads to avoid the construction area.

Independence Day Holiday Headlines

About this photo: Fireworks light the sky above State Mutual Stadium Tuesday night. For more fireworks, game shots courtesy of Mills Fitzner, click Focus

July 3/Cave Spring fireworks, celebration: Look for a busy day and night at Rolater Park.

July 4/Cave Spring Fourth of July Parade: It is hard to top this slice of Americana, which ends with organizer Christa Jackson's tribute to Lady Liberty.

>To be in the parade: Walkers line up at the Depot but riders and floats line up on Perry Farm Road starting at 8 a.m. Please, no bicycles and/or skateboards or skates. Children must be accompanied by adults. Call Jackson at 706-777-8743.

>To view the parade: The parade leaves the Depot at 9 a.m. and moves through the neighborhoods until reaching the square (the best place to view the parade).

>And while there: Look for homemade ice cream again at Cave Spring United Methodist Church, which is on Alabama Street, the parade route.

July 4/Huge day in Cartersville/Bartow County

(From the visitors bureau)

>Red Top Mountain State Park's Independence Day Celebration takes place throughout the holiday weekend.  Spend the day relaxing with the family then come Party with the 'Possums on a ranger-guided night hike beginning at "dark:30" at the Park Visitor Center on July 4.  Throughout the weekend, there will be Roving Rangers nature programs, crafts for kids and more.  On Saturday there will be a guided Iron Mine Hike and in the evening there is a free Mountain Music Series concert by Smokey's Farmland Band at 8 p.m.  Admission to Red Top Mountain State Park is a $3 ParkPass per vehicle. 

>Downtown parade: In Cartersville, festivities get under way at 9 a.m. with Stars, Stripes & Cartersville Independence Day Parade down Main Street.  Following the parade, there will be arts & crafts, entertainment, food, and children's games and activities beginning at 10 a.m. at Dellinger Park.  The popular band Babe's Bayou will be performing two concerts; one at 7 p.m. and another at 8:30 p.m. culminating in a large fireworks display.  The Cartersville Optimist Club, WBHF 1450 AM, City of Cartersville and Bartow County government bring you Stars, Stripes & Cartersville. A $1 parking fee will be charged. 

July 4/Party in the Meadow: Barnsley Gardens is planning a traditional Fourth of July outing in the meadow beginning at 11 a.m. Included: special decorations and a parade through the village. (770) 773-7480.

July 4/First Friday concert: Look for inflatables and a rock wall for the kids at Bridgepoint Plaza. Also, the entertainment will start at 5 p.m. with the Dixie Stompers, followed by Southern Thunder and then Tinsley Ellis. Also: a Bike Cruise-in.

July 4/Ridge Ferry Park:  (Media release) The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority will host the annual Fourth of July Fireworks at Ridge Ferry Park. Many features have been added to this year's event, including water slides and helicopter rides to provide a full day of entertainment for the entire family. The Kid's Area will feature two 22-foot water slides and an interactive vehicle display to include a fire truck, cop car and ambulance. Kids and adults can play in the water slides all day for $10 per person. Helicopter rides will be available from noon to 5 p.m. and cost $30 per ride. Tiger Flight will conduct a formation fly over between 3 and 4 p.m. Kids will then be invited to meet a Tiger Flight Pilot. Live music entertainment begins at 5 pm with Ian Trapp, followed by Just as I Am and then Kneckdown. The fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m. Concessions will be open all day. Pets are not allowed. Q102 will simulcast from the fireworks event. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for the free live music and fireworks show. Event admission is free and open to all. Event volunteers are needed from 3 to 8:30 p.m.; if interested please contact Rana at 706-291-0766.

>Campaign and political materials may not be distributed at this event.  Trails will be closed from Burrell Creek to Ridge Ferry Stage on Friday, July 4 for fireworks display set-up.  Access Ridge Ferry Park from Farmer's Market and Shoals parking lots. Parking is limited; arrive early.

>Uplift adds to Independence Day fireworks at Oak Hill Church of Christ: The public is invited to view the Rome fireworks and participate in an Independence Day celebration at Oak Hill Church of Christ.  Oak Hill will once again host Uplift for the community with free hotdogs, chips, popcorn and drinks.  Uplift also will include entertainment with a blue grass band and the feature event of the night - the Rome Fireworks display.   Oak Hill is on Martha Berry Boulevard behind the new Rome Post Office.   For more information contact Oak Hill Church of Christ at 706-291-0351.

July 4/Star-Spangled Celebration, Cherokee Capital Fairgrounds, gates open at 5 p.m., live music. All free. Details

July 4/Independence Day in Summerville, 5-10 p.m., Summerville Recreation Center, highways 100 and 114. Free Admission and parking.

-5 p.m.: Water slides (free)

-5 p.m.: Inflatables for the smaller children (free)

-5 p.m.: Free watermelon slicing

-6-7:15 p.m.: Live Music by Buck & Duke

-7:15 p.m.: Civil War Cannon Firing Demonstration

-7:45-until fireworks: Live Music by Buck & Duke

-Dark-Fireworks display!

Sports

>Norman Arey: Time to join the East Carolina bandwagon? Wait until game five this season> Arey

>Rome Braves start four-game set with Asheville tonight

WeatherCenter

>Today should be as hot as... well, a firecracker. 94 degrees> WeatherCenter

>Complete holiday forecast for Northwest Georgia

Downtown Headlines

>First Friday takes on special focus thanks to Independence Day. Plus: More downtown up> Downtown Headlines