Keep an eye on Turner McCall today as Rome's Steak N Shake opens to huge crowds. Final tips on Shorter/Northwest Georgia career fair. Rome misses high temp record by a degree Tuesday.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com

Keep an eye on Turner McCall traffic as Steak N Shake opens today:

-Get ready for an extra dose of the "Turner McCall Crawl" today as Steak N Shake opens following the 10 a.m. ribbon cutting. Riverside Parkway into downtown Rome might be an option, with a hard left at Broad Street; or else a shot through downtown to Second Avenue.

-The recent opening of Zaxby's on the other end of Turner McCall created traffic tie-ups below Ninth Street for several weeks in East Rome. More is expected near Village Plaza given the normal traffic plus the popularity of Steak N Shake. (Google map)

-We'll have coverage of 'opening ceremonies' later this morning.

-Also track updates via Steak N Shake's Facebook page or Twitter account.

Latest notes on Shorter's career fair Thursday at The Forum (1-5 p.m.)

-From the state Department of Labor: "The career fair will feature about 75 employers, educational institutions, and resource agencies that provide assistance to job seekers. Labor department staff members will be on hand to provide assistance with resume writing... Computers will be provided... for job search and application completion. Some employers will be hiring. Applicants should bring multiple copies of resumes and be prepared to fill out company applications and interview for available jobs." Click / Career fair highlights

-Thursday's downtown parking for career fair: Free parking will be available inside the Third Avenue parking deck in non-reserved spaces; at Heritage Park; and at the Barron Stadium and Trailhead parking lots (From Shorter).

Popcorn Haven's Cartersville location should be poppin' mid-October: That's the latest estimate as of Tuesday--"second week of October." The shop is in the strip center off Main Street next to Kohls. Click

We missed the record high by one degree:

-Rome's official high on Tuesday was 98 degrees, one shy of the 99 set on Sept. 21, 1955. Fall begins tonight but expect low 90s through Saturday. Cartersville's high, 97, tied the record set on Sept.21, 2006. Today, only 95. Look for some relief by Sunday. More weather below

Wednesday's Buzz

-Floyd County's sample ballots for the general election (Nov. 2; early voting under way) now posted online. Click Ballots

-Ra-Lin Construction Co. has donated $2,269 to McHenry Primary to complete the planned upgrade to the school's playground. Details 

-Sept. 28/Georgia Highlands to dedicate Nursing Simulation Lab, an instructional supplement to student clinical rotations in medical facilities. The lab features a robotic dummy that can be programmed by a faculty member to react in a number of ways to specific treatments. 11 a.m. Heritage Hall, 415 E. Third Ave.

-Oct. 7/Darlington will host a blood drive in honor of sophomore Jordan Muschamp, who is battling Leukemia. The Blood Assurance Blood Vessel will be at the McCallie-Kennedy Library steps from 2 to 7 p.m.  "It is always so meaningful when an event such as this one is held in honor of one of our own," said Reba Barnes, director of servant leadership. "Jordan is a fine young man who has been so very courageous in his battle with cancer. As a school community, we want to support him not only with kind words and gestures, but also through events such as this one that raise awareness." Jordan is the son of sixth-grade teacher Sally Muschamp and her husband, Pat. He also has a brother, Robert, in eighth grade at Darlington. Contact Lea Duncan, LDuncan@darlingtonschool.org.

-Oct. 16/ Rome Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron is holding a motorcycle ride fundraiser-benefit, 'Ride for the Black Knights.'  Click

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: 20% rain chance. High 95, low 62. First day of fall (11:09 p.m.)

-Thursday: High of 94, low of 62.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

John McClellan's high school picks. McClellan  

-Sequoyah at Rome. Close win for Wolves.

-Mt. Paran Christian at Class A No. 9 Darlington. Big win for Tigers.

-HSD Panthers v. Unity Christian School at Cartersville. UCS gets first win.

-Model at Coosa (Saturday). Another Coosa win.

-Chattooga at Sonoraville. Indians win by two TDs.

-Mt. Zion at Trion. Big win for Trion.

-Who's off this week: Calhoun, Cartersville, Armuchee, Pepperell, Adairsville, Cedartown and Rockmart.

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey  

-Dan Houston is subbing for Norman today through Thursday.

-Today's column: Might this be the Year of the Ol' Ball Coach at South Carolina, in SEC East? Maybe.

AP Top 25 College Football. Click

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks  

-Home opener 1:30 p.m. Saturday vs. Georgetown, Ky., Barron Stadium.

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-Oct. 16-17/Rome Braves to host Second Annual Softball Slam. Braves

-Next: April 7 vs. Hagerstown. Check for events at State Mutual Stadium.