Toyo Tire executive mourned. Changes at The Partridge. New digs for Highlands' Douglas classes. Floyd expands in Taylorsville.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Business

-Bartow mourns passing of Toyo Tire executive: Bartow community leaders are mourning the death of the founding president of White's Toyo Tire North American Manufacturing: Carlos "Shozo" Kibata helped bring the multimillion-dollar Toyo Tire campus to White. Click Toyo

Dining

-Changes at The Partridge on Broad: Breakfast is out and later dinner service is on the way, say Andre Rodriguez, new owner/chef of The Partridge at 330 Broad St. A morning breakfast special was tested but didn't meet expectations. Next up: Rodriguez is moving ahead with his plans to introduce later dining Thursday-Saturday, including his signature steaks and seafoods from his days at Sassafras Grille off Redmond Circle. Look for those to begin a week from Thursday. Rodriguez continues to serve old south favorites (fried chicken, tenders, meat loaf, veggies) each day as well.

Education

-Georgia Highlands' moves to Stewart Avenue location in Douglasville today: Look for news about a ribbon cutting at the new 30,000-square-footsite in just a few days; the ceremony will take place in August.  Details on the campus: Click

Health

New Floyd Primary Care & Center for Diabetes office due in Taylorsville: Bid requests posted online show a nearly 12,000-square-foot office at Ga. 113 and Hills Creek Road due to open in spring 2011. What's planned, says Floyd: 

-Dr. Brad Ward and Sarah Barber, FNP will be the providers for the Primary Care; Dr. Ann Ward and Dona Childers, FNP, will cover the Center for Diabetes

-Other than the location change, the same staff and providers will continue. During the construction and transition, patients will still be seen at 97 Church St.

Wednesday's Buzz

-Loudermilk to testify before House transit subcommittee Wednesday: State Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, will testify at a hearing before the congressional Subcommittee on Highway and Transit at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The hearing is titled, "Utilization and Impacts of Automated Traffic Enforcement." Loudermilk will discuss the reforms he helped initiate to Georgia's automated traffic control signal monitoring devices (red-light cameras). Watch it live;click Hearing.

-Audrey B. Morgan pledges another $1 million to Berry program. Click

-Stuenkel to serve on Metropolitan Hospitals Governing Council. Click

-Georgia DOT will suspend construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state routes from 5 a.m. Friday until 5 a.m., Tuesday, July 6.

-First Baptist Church, Cedartown, to host LifeWay Women's Living Proof Live Simulcast with Beth Moore on Sept. 18. Click

Your latest forecast: Tuesday's high was 92.

-Wednesday: 60% rain chance, high of 91.

-Wednesday night: 60% chance of rain, low of 67.  

-Thursday: 20% rain chance; high of 92.

-Thursday night: Cloudy, low of 68.

-Holiday weekend snapshot: Mid 90s, mid 60s, little chance of rain.

-Extended forecast: Click  / Regional radar

Track Hurricane Storm Alex as it nears the Mexico-Texas border. Click

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey 

-It's beginning to get old but how many chances should Michael Vick be afforded?    

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-Greensboro beats Braves 4-3 to take home stand opener.

-Braves home vs. Greensboro now-Saturday; 1 p.m. game today.

-Mills Fitzner's latest home game photos.  (click)  

Six freshmen join Berry basketball team. Details

Toyo Tire executive mourned. Changes at The Partridge. New digs for Highlands' Douglas classes. Floyd expands in Taylorsville.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Business

-Bartow mourns passing of Toyo Tire executive: Bartow community leaders are mourning the death of the founding president of White's Toyo Tire North American Manufacturing: Carlos "Shozo" Kibata helped bring the multimillion-dollar Toyo Tire campus to White. Click Toyo

Dining

-Changes at The Partridge on Broad: Breakfast is out and later dinner service is on the way, say Andre Rodriguez, new owner/chef of The Partridge at 330 Broad St. A morning breakfast special was tested but didn't meet expectations. Next up: Rodriguez is moving ahead with his plans to introduce later dining Thursday-Saturday, including his signature steaks and seafoods from his days at Sassafras Grille off Redmond Circle. Look for those to begin a week from Thursday. Rodriguez continues to serve old south favorites (fried chicken, tenders, meat loaf, veggies) each day as well.

Education

-Georgia Highlands' moves to Stewart Avenue location in Douglasville today: Look for news about a ribbon cutting at the new 30,000-square-footsite in just a few days; the ceremony will take place in August.  Details on the campus: Click

Health

New Floyd Primary Care & Center for Diabetes office due in Taylorsville: Bid requests posted online show a nearly 12,000-square-foot office at Ga. 113 and Hills Creek Road due to open in spring 2011. What's planned, says Floyd: 

-Dr. Brad Ward and Sarah Barber, FNP will be the providers for the Primary Care; Dr. Ann Ward and Dona Childers, FNP, will cover the Center for Diabetes

-Other than the location change, the same staff and providers will continue. During the construction and transition, patients will still be seen at 97 Church St.

Wednesday's Buzz

-Loudermilk to testify before House transit subcommittee Wednesday: State Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, will testify at a hearing before the congressional Subcommittee on Highway and Transit at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The hearing is titled, "Utilization and Impacts of Automated Traffic Enforcement." Loudermilk will discuss the reforms he helped initiate to Georgia's automated traffic control signal monitoring devices (red-light cameras). Watch it live;click Hearing.

-Audrey B. Morgan pledges another $1 million to Berry program. Click

-Stuenkel to serve on Metropolitan Hospitals Governing Council. Click

-Georgia DOT will suspend construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state routes from 5 a.m. Friday until 5 a.m., Tuesday, July 6.

-First Baptist Church, Cedartown, to host LifeWay Women's Living Proof Live Simulcast with Beth Moore on Sept. 18. Click

Your latest forecast: Tuesday's high was 92.

-Wednesday: 60% rain chance, high of 91.

-Wednesday night: 60% chance of rain, low of 67.  

-Thursday: 20% rain chance; high of 92.

-Thursday night: Cloudy, low of 68.

-Holiday weekend snapshot: Mid 90s, mid 60s, little chance of rain.

-Extended forecast: Click  / Regional radar

Track Hurricane Storm Alex as it nears the Mexico-Texas border. Click

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey 

-It's beginning to get old but how many chances should Michael Vick be afforded?    

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-Greensboro beats Braves 4-3 to take home stand opener.

-Braves home vs. Greensboro now-Saturday; 1 p.m. game today.

-Mills Fitzner's latest home game photos.  (click)  

Six freshmen join Berry basketball team. Details

Restaurant updates; changes in public health restaurant scores; candidates forum on radio, webcast tonight; possible break in the heat.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com

 

Dining updates:

'Coming soon' signs for Cartersville restaurants and . . .

Renovations are ongoing for the Steak House II location in Cartersville's West End Commons. Located inside the former Hearth & Harvest spot (right), owner David Edge says he is working to get the restaurant open by the end of July. He hopes to have a confirmed opening date next week. Hiring already is under way. Also due in Cartersville this summer: El Pueblito No. 7 in Integrity Plaza (below, right). The spot most recently was home to Schroeder's and Zydeco.

. . . real-time updates for public health restaurant health score

-Local diners can now check the new electronic restaurant inspection reports in real-time before heading out to eat. The Northwest Georgia Public Health office has been working for several years to upgrade all restaurant inspection reports into an electronic, real-time format. The new program is rolling out in all 10 counties in the district--including Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga -- on Thursday, says Tim Alle, district environmental manager.

"You will now be able to on our website and search for restaurants by name, address or facility type. It will include all previous reports and the new electronic report will be a complete detail report so you will know exactly what the violations were and how they were corrected," Alle says. "The entire report will be uploaded as soon as the inspector leaves the restaurant, so it will be in real-time."

Alle says there will be a transition period to get all of Floyd County's 275 facilities upgraded to the electronic inspection reports. He estimates it will take approximate six months for all the restaurants to have their electronic inspection online. Each restaurant is inspected every six months.

To see the new electronic reports, visit www.nwgapublichealth.org and click on food scores, search by county, or click each of the following:

Bartow

Floyd

Gordon

Chattooga

Polk

State Labor Department to help 229 Mohawk workers in Cartersville facing layoffs in August. The agency "is committed to helping them find new jobs, or access training and educational opportunities to prepare for new careers." Details

Politics

-Tonight//WBHF 1450 AM to broadcast, webcast House 14, Senate 52 forum: Candidates for State House district 14 (Floyd, Bartow) and Senate Senate districts 31 (Bartow, Polk) and 52 (Floyd, Bartow, Gordon) will be interviewed at 6 p.m. at The Grand Theatre during the WBHF Political Forum. It will be broadcast live on 1450 AM WBHF and heard via webcast on Bartow Headlines. Click

-July 7: Floyd County Republican Women, 11:30 a.m. lunch at Red Lobster, noon meeting. Guests: Seth Harp, candidate for insurance commissioner; and Max Wood, candidate for attorney general. Members are asked to bring school supplies.

Tuesday's Buzz:

-Redmond awarded 3-year accreditation for breast ultrasound. Health

-John Pittman joins Redmond Regional board of trustees. Health

-Expanded mission, new name for local Red Cross. Click

Your latest forecast: 96 on Monday; 'only' 86 on Wednesday.

-Tuesday: 70% chance of rain, high of 90. Heat index: 97.

-Tuesday night: 60% rain chance, low of 72.

-Wednesday: 40% rain chance, high of 'only' 86.

-Wednesday night: 30% chance of rain, low of 67.  

-Extended forecast: Click  / Regional radar

Track Tropical Storm Alex, nearing hurricane strength. Click

GEMA hurricane drill under way; track 'Soffie' in Georgia: State emergency management officials are staging a drill this week, assuming a hurricane (Soffie) strikes our state. Test details

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey 

-And you think you have a tough golf course. Be thankful you don't live in Montana.   

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-Braves win 4-3 in Lexington, take 3 of 5 games in series.

-Braves home vs. Greensboro Tuesday-Saturday.

-Mills Fitzner's latest home game photos.  (click)  

'Exit' interview with Guy Mannino as he prepares for move to Connecticut. Buzz: Marketing & Media. Complete July 4th schedule. More heat. Peaks & Valleys

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia (click)

-Hometown Profile: 'Exit' interview with Guy Mannino as he leaves Rome.

-Marketing & Media: New websites, a little 'ink,' appreciating cows.

-Putting the 'grand' --and some fine wine -- in a triple grand opening.

-Huge weekend of Fourth of July celebrations across NW Georgia.

-Peaks & Valleys: Tellus, Mike Dunn, downtown Rome, candidate forums.

From CNN: West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd, the longest-serving member of Congress, has died, the senator's office said. He was 92. CNN

Stress the 'international' in this year's Rome International Film Festival

-The adjudication board for the Rome International Film Festival sent invitations to filmmakers over the weekend. More than 70 films were selected, including an impressive showing from China, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, The Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Australia, The Netherlands, Germany and the United States. "I am again pleased with our international slate of films," said RIFF Executive Director Harry Musselwhite. "I am so happy that we were able to get the winner of the Producer's Guild of America short film competition that I attended recently in Hollywood, and many more exciting choices for our dedicated RIFF fans." The festival takes place at the DeSoto Theatre and Heritage Hall in downtown Rome Sept. 10 and 11. Click RIFF

Your latest forecast: Sunday's high was 93.

-Monday: 40% chance of rain, high of 94. Heat index: 101.

-Monday night: 40% chance of rain, low of 71.

-Tuesday: 50% chance of rain, high of 92. Heat index: 98.

-Tuesday night: 50% rain chance, low of 70

-Extended forecast: Click  / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey 

-The state of North Carolia refuses to recognize football.  

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-This time, the Braves rally with three runs in the ninth, win 6-3.

-Rome Braves at Lexington Legends, noon today.

-Braves home vs. Greensboro Tuesday.

-Mills Fitzner's latest home game photos.  (click)  

Hometown Profile: An 'exit' interview with Guy Mannino.

-One of the most respected business and community leaders in our area is moving back to Connecticut. Guy Mannino, whose Verdek-EV concepts are more popular than ever, and wife Phillippa are returning to Connecticut after coming to Rome with Pirelli Tire North America in 2001. Find out what's next for Mannino and what he'll miss about Northwest Georgia. Story by Michelle Picon. Click Hometown Profile

Media & marketing:

-Just think ink. We like smart marketing ideas and we tip our cap to the folks behind the new Cartridge World of Rome at Riverwalk. How's this for being classically clever: To contact them by phone, dial 706-234-9INK.

-New look for 333 on Broad's website: The popular Broad Street restaurant and entertainment venue has a new look online, incorporating the lunch and dinner menus, upstairs entertainment, specials and social media. Click 333.

-River City Bank's new look draws 'interest.' OK, we couldn't avoid that one. But the four-year-old bank's website has a new link incorporating the bank's features, from consumer and commercial to its River City Ramblers. Click RCB.

-The annual cattle call is July 9: You can get a free Chick-Fil-A meal provided you walk in wearing a cow costume. The annual Cow Appreciation Day is almost here. Details, including tips on making a cow costume: Click Cow

Putting the 'grand' in a grand opening in downtown Rome

By Michelle Picon 

Bussey's Flowers, Riverside Gourmet and The Season had a festive and well-attended grand opening celebration last week, with about 75 Romans dropping by.

The three-in-one store at 250 Broad St. is downtown Rome's newest neighbor  and a one-stop shopping destination. Guests loved the combination of the three stores and daydreamed about having the ideal party: Holly Lynch from The Seasons plans your event,  Todd Bussey  does the flower arrangements and accessories for your house, and Kevin Dillmon from Riverside Gourmet helps you select the kitchenware to prepare your food, plus delicious wine pairings.

A very special treat for the evening was the chance to sample some wines from Riverside Gourmet's new wine section. The wines average about $20 a bottle but there are higher priced wines for special occasions, said Dr. Ray Jarvis, who along with Dillmon, selected the wines featured at the store.

"We offer a wide variety of hard-to-find quality wines," said the Harbin Clinic OB/GYN whose passion for wine as hobby landed him the opportunity to become Dillmon's consultant.  

Said a local wine enthusiast the next day: "There wasn't a wine out there I didn't like. They did a great job selecting the wines."  

The three best sellers for the evening, according to Dillmon and Jarvis: 

-New Age, Argentinian Sauvignon Blanc/Malvasia Blend, $11.

-Cannonball, California Cab, $15.99.

-Joseph Carr, Napa Cab, $21.99.  

What else was everyone talking about? Another wine, CANA, at $23.99, is quickly becoming a favorite as a present. Why? Because it comes beautifully wrapped in tissue printed with the story of the Wedding at Cannan, when Jesus performed his first miracle and turned water into wine.  

Up next at Riverside Gourmet: Italian Wine Tasting, July 15th, 6:30 p.m., with Jenny Swab from Vinifera Wine Imports. A $10 tasting fee will be refunded with your wine purchase.  

-More local wine: June 30/Harvest Moon Cafe's first Summer Wine Festival. $10 per person; more than 50 wines. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 706-292-0099.

Celebrate the red, white & blue

Below please find our list of July Fourth activities in Northwest Georgia. To add an event that is free and open to all, click E-mail.

-Safety note: The Rome Fire Department has assembled a list of fireworks safety tips. Click Safety.

-July 1: Celebrating Freedom concert set: The Bartow Winds Community Concert Band announces its Celebrating Freedom Concert to be held at 7 p.m. in Freedom Plaza in downtown Cartersville at the Depot. Admission is free but donations will be accepted supporting Advocates for Children.

-July 2: First Friday free concert, 7 p.m., Bridgepoint Plaza. Performing: Delta Moon.

-July 2: Downtown Cartersville's Family Fun Night free movie, 7:30-11 p.m. Showing at dusk: The Tooth Fairy.

-July 3: Stars, Stripes & Cartersville (several venues): The Cartersville Optimist Club and WBHF AM 1450 plan a full day, starting with a parade at 9 a.m. along Main Street. After the parade: Arts & Crafts, entertainment, food, and children's games and activities beginning at 10 a.m. At 8 p.m., a free concert, followed by a fireworks display at Dellinger Park. Click CVB

-July 3: Fourth of July parade, downtown Cave Spring, 9 a.m. Motorized vehicles (four-wheelers, cars, tractors and horses)  line up on Perry Farm Road, walkers line up at the Depot. 

-July 3: Fireworks, downtown Cave Spring, 9 p.m.

-July 3: Rome Braves' post-game fireworks. Rome vs. Grasshoppers, 7 p.m. Rome Braves.

-July 4: Fireworks, Ridge Ferry Park. Gates open at 4 p.m. Parks & Rec.

-July 4: The ninth annual patriotic extravaganza, "One Nation Under God," will be Sunday at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Cave Spring.  It is a community-wide event and everyone is invited. 

-July 4: Star-spangled celebration at the Cherokee Fairgrounds in Calhoun. Live music. Gates open at 5 p.m. Click

-Photo courtesy of Mills Fitzner and is from the June 18 post-game fireworks display following the Rome Braves' game. For more, click Gallery.

PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to Tellus Science Museum passing the 300,000-guest milestone:

Last week, Tellus Science Museum greeted its 300,000th visitor since opening its doors in January 2009: Connecticut's Charles and Ilona Pomeroy, and daughter Gabrielle. It has taken the museum just 18 months to reach the milestone and look for more to come. In addition to the marvelous displays and exhibits within the center's 120,000 square feet, a continuing series of programs and specials enhance the experience. Coming up: Night at the Museum 2010, new planetarium shows and additional exhibits

 

Peak to Rome Braves General Manager Michael Dunn:

-The only general manager the Rome team has known in the Braves eight seasons here, Michael Dunn has been honored by the South Atlantic League with his induction into the group's Hall of Fame. Dunn, 43, was GM of the Macon Braves before the move to Rome in 2003 and has twice been named to league management honors. The inaugural Rome Braves also won the 2003 SAL championship. Although Rome is the smallest market in the 14-team league, Rome continues to be a solid draw with fans and a launch pad for Major League players who have crossed home plate at State Mutual Stadium: Brian McCann, Jason Heyward, Jeff Francoeur, Tommy Hanson and others. Click Hall.

Peak to the local political parties, chambers, media and volunteers:

-Voters have no excuse for not being informed about the local candidates on the July 20 primary ballot. We don't recall a more active season of candidate forums in Northwest Georgia; there were five last week and another one this Tuesday broadcast and webcast live by AM 1450 WBHF in Cartersville. Republican party groups in Floyd, Bartow and Gordon counties have organized forums as has the Rome/Floyd Tea Party and the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce. You still have time listen, read and analyze. The election is now in your hands. Be sure to vote now through the primary (early voting under way). Click Politics

Peak to the business surge in downtown Rome:

-Sure, we can count the number of storefronts along Broad Street with "for sale" or "for lease" signs in the windows. But we also can count high in the seven digits the amount of money being invested by restaurant owners alone in downtown Rome this year. From Bob Blumberg's booming Johnny's New York Style Pizza to Michael Lander's Greener Burger due in the next week or two to Truman Webb and Jeremy Duke's plans to bring Mellow Mushroom to the one-time Rome City Market site, we're tallying significant investment in just a few city blocks. As for competition concerns: We disagree. A strong restaurant selection will only boost downtown traffic.

 

Mellow Mushroom coming to Rome's Broad Street

-By the close of business today, a group of investors will own the would-be home of Rome City Market with plans to open Northwest Georgia's first Mellow Mushroom premium pizza shop. The final paperwork is due for signing later today. The property, once owned by Walt Adams and partners, is owned by United Community Bank, which is handling the sale.

 

-Calhoun businessman Truman Webb and son Jeremy Duke had had been scouting locations here for months. Webb and another son own the Myrtle Beach Mellow Mushroom franchise. At one time, the former Johnny Carino's location on Turner McCall was under consideration. Several other Broad Street sites were possibilities as well.

 

-But when Rome City Market--Adams' collection of upscale retailers and a bistro--finally collapsed, talks began to bring Mellow Mushroom to just a few doors down from Harvest Moon and Dogwood Books & Antiques.

 

-For more: http://www.hometownheadlines.com 

Restaurant changes at Etowah Crossing. 1,350 jobs to leave NWGA by August? Another summer sizzler.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

Changes continuing at Etowah Crossing shopping center off Hicks Drive:

-Look for J & C Buffet to open within a month. This Asian or Chinese buffet is coming to the 6,000-square-foot corner of the shopping center near the former Kroger location and next to the Quality Care dry cleaners. There's a good bit of activity at the site this week as shown by this photo.

-Also new is Print, Ship & More of Rome at 132 Hicks Drive. The shop is open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturdays. The business does printing, FedEx and more. Facebook
-Gone from the center, known for its adjacency to Home Depot and Kmart, is Mexico Tipico. There's a closed sign taped to the front door. It closed in May.

-Etowah Crossing has seen a few restaurants in the past, including China Lin and Hooter's. There had been considerable reports about other restaurants coming to this spot but you can cross Hooters off that list. Pizza Inn also appears off the table.

Regional employment looks grim in August as nearly 1,350 jobs go away.

-With Mohawk Industries shuttering the spun yarn plant in Cartersville in two months, things are looking a bleak around Northwest Georgia. Mohawk has 229 jobs on the line while Pierre Foods' plans to close the Rome plant takes another 350 jobs away. Add to that the loss of nearly 400 jobs at CCH Small Firm Services leaves Rome in a few weeks. That's about 1,000 jobs -- gone. May employment.

-Also in Northwest Georgia: Bluebird to close LaFayette plant in August, idling another 350 workers. Chattanooga

Busy Saturday ahead for regional, local candidates:

-June 26/Floyd GOP meets: The Floyd County Republican Party will meet at 8:30 a.m. at attorney general candidate Preston Smith's campaign headquarters in next to Kroger. Due: GOP primary candidates for local offices.

-June 26/Bartow GOP candidates forum. Candidates for state Senate districts 31 and 52, state House districts 12, 14  and 15, and local candidates. 9-10:30 a.m., party headquarters at 162 W. Main St., Suite 106. 

-Expanded political calendar; links to candidate profiles. Politics

Update on drowning in Etowah River Thursday evening. Bartow

Friday's Buzz

-Floyd adds nine new physicians to Family Medicine Residenc; five physicians graduate. Health

-Dempsey speaks at seminar on Safely Reducing the Number of Children in Foster Care. Click

-Perdue OKs budget that has $8.9 million for GNTC Catoosa campus. CH

-Berry students studying coral reef biome in Honduras. Click

-Gordon Hospital's cancer program earns three-year accreditation. Gordon

-Summerville's sizzling arts 'colony' spotlighted by Chattanooga. Click

What's ahead this weekend. Click Calendar

Your weekend forecast: (Thursday's high: 94)

-Friday: 40% rain chance, high of 95; heat index 102.

-Friday night: 30% rain chance, low of 69.

-Saturday: Another scorcher--95 and 30% rain chance. Heat index: 100.

-Saturday night: 70 degrees with a 30% rain chance.

-Sunday: High of 94, 40% chance of rain.

-Sunday night: Low of 72 degrees, 30% chance of rain.

-Extended forecast: Click  / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey 

-Why would the Steeler players care what Ben Roethlisberger has to say?    

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-Rome Braves pounded by Lexington Legends, 13-2.

-Braves in Lexington through Monday; home vs. Greensboro Tuesday.

-Mills Fitzner's latest home game photos.  (click)  

Mohawk closing spun yarn plant in Cartersville; 200 jobs in flux

200 jobs in flux as Mohawk prepares to close spun yarn plant in Cartersville:

 

-Citing a change in consumer demand from spun yarn carpeting to filament, Calhoun-based Mohawk Industries is announcing the closing of the spun yarn plant in Cartersville, according to AM1450 WBHF. Staff reductions will begin this weekend and conclude in August. The company will review the work force and try to place workers at other nearby plants if possible. In April, Mohawk announced the closing of a spun yarn plant in Tifton. Some 373 jobs were lost there. Click http://www.bartowheadlines.com

Slight improvement in jobless rate in May. Lowest NWGA gas price... in Rome? Weather: 96 and miserable; heat index of 101. Air quality advisory in Bartow, ATL

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

May's jobless rate dips except for bump in Gordon Co.

	May 2010 Employed	May 2010 Unemployed	May % jobless	April % jobless	May. 2009 % jobless
Bartow	40,225	4,954	11.0%	11.9%	10.8%
Chattooga	8,998	1,084	10.8%	11.1%	13.0%
Floyd	44,619	5,124	10.3%	10.0%	10.0%
Gordon	21,045	3,082	12.8%	12.7%	12.4%
Polk	18,577	2,107	10.2%	10.5%	10.3%
State	4,238,425	463,205	9.9%	9.7%	9.2%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

Northwest Georgia's employment report looked a bit better in May vs. April and, in some cases, even the same month a year earlier. But that could be changing in these summer months with Pierre Foods shutting down soon and perhals even CCH Small Firm Services move from West Rome to Kennesaw.

In all, 16,351 people in Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga counties were looking for work last month, down from earlier reports that had topped 18,000.

The only increase was in Gordon County where the jobless rate rose from 12.7 percent in April to 12.8 percent in May. Gordon's jobless rate in May 2009 was 12.4 percent. On the flip side, Gordon has seen the most potential for new jobs as industries announce or complete expansion projects.

-For statewide reports and updates, please click Business

Region's lowest gas price ... found in Rome?

County/Zip code	Lowest price	Average price	Highest price
Floyd/30161	$2.48	$2.63	$2.90
Bartow/30120	$2.57	$2.65	$2.70
Gordon/30701	$2.49	$2.61	$2.70
Polk/30125	$2.56	$2.62	$2.69

Source: MSN for June 23, 2010 (click)

Our tipster couldn't believe the words he was sharing Wednesday afternoon. "Gas prices in Rome are a dime lower than in Cartersville," says the local businessman who track gas prices on the side. Sure enough, a check of the MSN Auto site shows Rome had the lowest price found Wednesday--$2.48 at Kroger. The county average was the second highest of the four-county area, $2.63, while Floyd had the highest price found locally as well--$2.90. The best overall numbers came from Gordon County with an average of $2.61 a gallon. Click

-Statewide average price at $2.61, up seven cents from a year ago. Click

Health

Redmond's ER blitz via old, new media paying off

-Redmond Regional Medical Center's ER Wait Time billboard is drawing some attention as hospital officials say they're seeing more patients. "We've had a very good response and have been seeing more patients…definitely been busy," says Lisa Brown, director of marketing.

The billboard, on Martha Berry Boulevard at Charlton Street, gives the estimated wait time at Redmond's emergency room. The time is an average of the past four hours and is updated every 30 minutes through an RSS feed that is connected to the hospital's MEDTECH system. "Over the past 18 months to two years, we have been revamping our processes and we looked at our ER to find where all the extra wait times were coming from," Brown says. "We eliminated some duplicate processes and now run much more efficiently without compromising patient care."

Redmond, along with its sister hospitals such as Polk Medical Center and Cartersville Medical Center, also offer a text messaging feature that allows consumers to text ER to 23000 from any mobile device to get the average wait times at HCA hospitals nearest to the Zip code where they are located.  And, for iPhone users, there is a new web-based application that can be loaded to an individual's iPhone to provide those rolling average wait times. See: er.redmondregional.com and on the hospital websites.

-Latest updates from Harbin Clinic. Click Health

-June 25/A 10 a.m. Friday ribbon cutting ceremony is set at Redmond Regional Medical Center for the addition of Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Thursday's Buzz

-Even more sports information coming via SB Nation Atlanta:

Talk about good timing. The folks behind booming, fan-fired SB Nation is launching an Atlanta site today, giving it plenty of time to saturate the market before footballs season. SB describes itself as "the largest and fastest-growing network of fan-centric online sports communities. From the beginning, we've focused on developing the highest quality grassroots sports sites on the web—recruiting only the most respected bloggers and writers to build their communities at SB Nation and empowering passionate fans to engage in the conversation." SB Atlanta

-Tellus greets 300,000th guest barely 17 months after opening. Tellus

-Hometown's 2010 primary special report. Click

-State releases school system CRCT scores. Click Education

-June 30/Public meeting on downtown Rome parking management. DH

-July 11-12/Auditions for Rome Little Theatre's upcoming production of Clue The Musical will be held on stage at the Historic DeSoto Theatre. Registration begins at 6 p.m. and auditions will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.   Clue the Musical is based on the popular board game, and is a fun, lighthearted "whodunit" set to music.  For more: www.romelittletheatre.com or 706-295-7171.

Your latest forecast: Wednesday's high was 96.

-Thursday: 20% rain chance, high of 96.

-Thursday night: 69 degrees; 20% rain chance. 

-Friday: 40% rain chance, high of 95.

-Friday night: 30% rain chance, low of 71.

-Weekend preview: No relief in sight. Mid-90s through Tuesday; some rain.

-Extended forecast: Click  / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey 

-Dooley picks up one big Vol booster. Whatever happened to tennis in this country?   

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-Braves open second half of the season in Lexington Thursday with five games.

-Mills Fitzner's latest home game photos.  (click)  

New 'rug' about ready for Wolves, Hawks at Barron Stadium. 94 today; heat index of 97.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com

 

First & goal for new 'rug' at Barron Stadium

As you see workers install the emblems of the Shorter Hawks and Rome Wolves on the new artificial turf at Barron Stadium, take a look around: You'll see three major projects at once: the new entrance to Heritage Park; initial construction on the Harbin Clinic Cancer Center; and continuing enhancements at the stadium.

By Natalie Simms/If you've driven by Barron Stadium this week, you've probably noticed the new artificial turf is down. Says Todd Wofford, Parks Superintendent with Rome-Floyd Parks and Rec: The turf should be completed next week. "The weather has been good for construction and we're on schedule," he says. "The carpet (turf) is almost down and they are packing the gravel in now and the turf crew should be out of here next week."

The turf already has logos for both the Rome High School Wolves and the Shorter University Hawks painted in both end-zones. There are no logos in the middle of the field. The NAIA logo will be painted on the field during the championship game this December. The new "jumbo-tron" scoreboards arrived Tuesday, says Wofford, adding, "We are working to be completed with everything by Aug. 6."

RHS will be the first on the field for a football scrimmage game vs. Calhoun High School on Friday, Aug. 13. The Wolves kick off their 2010 season with their first game at Barron Stadium on Aug. 27 against Johns Creek. "We're excited about kicking off a new season with our new head coach and it's an added pleasure to play on the new turf…it's really a great for our community," says Dr. Tygar Evans, RHS principal.

The Shorter Hawks football team open their home season Sept.25. "The last component will be the track. It will take some time because the rubber surface has to cure and that could take up to 21 days," Wofford says. "But we are on schedule and hope to have everything completed by Aug. 6."

In memoriam

-Funeral set for Rome's 'Running Man': A funeral Mass for our Peter M. Jordan, 52, who died June 7, will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church at noon on Monday. Further details are pending.

Business

-Bartow Business Connection connects more than 300 Tuesday evening: Organizers predicted a record turnout for the latest Bartow Business Connection drop-in networking event at Cartersville Country Club and they got it. More than 300 people attended the session between 4 and 7 p.m. The grass-roots business group reach out to colleagues in surrounding counties as well. Details: Facebook

Politics

-Preston Smith launches new website in final weeks of primary: The web address is basic--electpreston.com--but the site comes with some teeth to it and just about all the bells and whistles in use this campaign season. Smith, a Rome Republican and state Senator, is in a three-way fight for the GOP nomination July 20.

-Latest round of forums begin Thursday. Politics

-U.S. Rep. Tom Graves gets committee assignments. Gordon

Wednesday's Buzz

-RSO cancels Fourth of July concert; no sponsor: The July 4th Community Concert at State Mutual Stadium has been canceled because of a lack of sponsorship, according to the Rome Smphony Orchestra. 

-Floyd begins new student registration for 2010-11 year: (Media release) New student pre-registration dates for the 2010-11 school year have been set for Floyd County Schools.  This registration is just for students new to a school in the Floyd County School System this fall.  Click Floyd Schools

-June 26/Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Rome will host a Blood Assurance blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. For more information about donating blood, please call (706) 235-9853.

-Hospital Corporation of America, the parent company of Redmond Regional Medical Center and Polk Medical Center, has been selected as one of Computerworld's top workplaces for information technology professionals. HCA is rose to No. 42 on the publication's top 100 list. Last year: 56th. Click

-Suspect pleads guilty to bank robberies in Calhoun, N.C., W.Va., and Mich.:

Anthony Ray Artrip, 38, of Ashland, Ky., pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal district court to the armed robbery of banks in Calhoun and in four other states. Details

-Chase suspect surrenders to authorities in Bartow County. Click

Your latest forecast: Tuesday's high was 94.

-Wednesday: 94 degrees; heat index 98; 20% chance of rain.

-Wednesday night: 69 degrees; 20% rain chance.

-Thursday: 20% rain chance, high of 94.

-Thursday night: 69 degrees; 20% rain chance.

-Extended forecast: Click  / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey 

-The smartest dogs in the world are border collies; poodles are second.

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-Sally League All-Star game ends in 5-5 tie. Click

-Braves off tonight; open second half of the season in Lexington Thursday with five games.

-Mills Fitzner's latest home game photos.  (click)  

Latest Hometown Headlines

Floyd begins new student registration for 2010-11 year. Plus:  More news updates. Details: http://www.hometownheadlines.com

More miserable heat; index to top 100. Latest Business Buzz. Replacing Shorter's Dr. Newman

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Your latest forecast: more miserable heat.

-Tips on staying safe in summer heat: Stephen Watson, Nurse Manager of Redmond Regional's Emergency Department, suggests: "Stay away from caffeine and alcoholic beverages during the hottest part of the day, as these are dehydrators. Proper sun protection when outside are also highly recommended ... Hats, sunscreen applied regularly, sunglasses and light, loose fitting clothing all work to protect from the sun and keep the body cool. Schedule outside activities away from the hottest part of the day, between 3 and 5 p.m.... Take numerous breaks and limit the duration as well." More tips: Facebook

-Tuesday: High of 96; heat index 101; 20% rain chance.

-Tuesday night: Low of 69, 20% rain chance.

-Wednesday: 97 degrees; heat index 102; 20% chance of rain.

-Wednesday night: 70 degrees; 10% rain chance.

-Extended forecast: Click  / Regional radar

Tuesday's Buzz

-Egghead Solutions has opened at its new location at 421 E. Second Ave. Owner Jason Trask and his staff moved over the weekend from their former Broad Street location. Office Manager Donna Whaley says the new store offers an expanded retailer offering as well as a more convenient location and parking at the storefront. "We now offer refurbished computers starting at $99, along with custom built machines or we can order a new machine. We also offer computer components and data backup services," she says. The business features a $99 repair service for both residential and commercial clients with free diagnostic testing. Whaley adds that the business will be expanding their personnel soon to add a third PC service technician. For more: 706-413-5515.

-Etowah Insurance also on the move: Harley W. Gambrell's insurance agency is now at 3359 Martha Berry Highway (in Armuchee Village). It previously was at North Second Avenue. Details: (706) 388-0491 or click Facebook

-Kaledio-Snow has opened up a mobile location at 1910 Dean Ave. for the summer. According to Miquela Garrett, Assistant Manager, the mobile unit opened last week and will be on Dean Avenue through August. "We've had a trailer that we open up every year during the summer," she says. The mobile location is open Monday-Saturday from 1-6 p.m. They offer the same menu items as the Broad Street location, including a variety of snow cones flavors, ice cream and chips.

-Rogelio Paniagua joins HengerRast: Rogelio Paniagua "brings numerous years experience in the real estate to our team and is knowledgeable in most every type of transaction from FHA and Conventional to VA. Rogelio, being bilingual, will allow us to assist the Hispanic segment of the market with more accuracy and effectiveness resulting in a smoother transaction for the client and their agents," says Tony Miller, branch manager. HengerRast is at 700 E. Second Ave., Suite G.

-Polk Medical's cardiac rehab ceremony today: A ribbon cutting for the newly added Cardiac Rehab department at Polk Medical Center in the Medical Office Building at 118 E. Girard Ave. is set for 10 this morning.

-June 24/National Geographic Society executive to address 'which way print media?' What is the future of newspapers, magazines, books in this digital era of instant information? The vice president of National Geographics Society, Terry Adamson, will delve into those questions at 7 p.m. at the Harris Arts Center, 212 S. Wall St., Calhoun. Wayne Minshew, 678-848-6410 wminshew@gntc.edu.

-June 25-27, July 2-4/Broadway Spectacular III, $15 adults; $12 students and seniors. Details: RLT

-David Johnson, a member of the Floyd County Board of Education

-Heyman HospiceCare at Floyd to host volunteer training. Click

Replacing Shorter's president Dr. Harold Newman:

-It indeed was fitting. As Dr. Harold E. Newman announced his plans to retire when a successor is found and seated, you could hear a student in a nearby room practicing the flute. The music went on, even as the university's leader announced plans to help Shorter's next steps after five dynamic years of growth and change. Dr. Nelson Price, Shorter's board chair, called Newman "God's model for that moment" when he assumed the presidency. Price plans to appoint a search committee within a month but has no definitive time line on selecting Shorter's next president. One key duty, says Price, is for the committee members to "take a month or two" to pray about the critical choice. For more: Click Newman

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey 

- More instant replay in baseball? The players aren't in favor of it.

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-All-Star break today-Wednesday;  next game Thursday.

-Links to tonight's SAL All-Star game.

-Mills Fitzner's latest home game photos.  (click)  

A matter of Publix discourse. Business, political, Braves' buzz. Peaks & Valleys. Today's high: 95.tes

 

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia (click)

-A matter of Publix discourse. (with site map)

-Business Buzz: A sale of the old west Rome Kroger?

-Political Buzz: Five candidate forums this week alone in NW Georgia.

-Braves' Buzz: Sorry season so far on the field; uptick in attendance.

-Peaks & Valleys: 20 new jobs and $20 million investment;  double no-so-secret accreditation at Saint Mary's school; the Euharlee u-turn; and selective repaving on Broad.

 

Monday updates:

-Bartow, Polk banks on latest AJC 'Texas Ratio' list.

-Shorter media conference set for 2:30 p.m. Full coverage by 2:45 p.m.

-Final day to register to vote in primary; Senate District 31 profiles.

-Rome City Commission to appoint interim police chief tonight.

-

Northwest Georgia Credit Union's website honored

.

 

Your forecast: 

-Monday: Steamy day. 95 degrees.

-Monday night: Low of 69, 20% rain chance.

-Tuesday: High of 95, 20% rain chance.

 

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey

 

-

Big East denies rumors that it's going to expand by two teams next week.

 

 

 

Rome Braves. Sports 

-Braves end season's first half with a sweep of RiverDogs, 1-0.

-All-Star break today-Wednesday;  next game Thursday.

-Mills Fitzner's latest home game photos.  

 

Downtown Headlines. Downtown

-What's ahead in downtown Rome. 

 

A matter of Publix discourse

-There were some interesting e-mail and Facebook exchanges Friday over the latest pronouncement that Publix  Super Markets will open its first Floyd County location at the vanishing Hight Homes site by Christmas 2011.

-The developer, Madison Retail LLC, says it is a go and that they'll build a mixed-use center around the grocer. Publix's regional spokeswoman says there were no plans on paper for it last Friday morning. Her list, she notes, changes each week so it could pop soon.

-Insiders are saying several things: A) The Madison deal looks real but has a long, long way to go. B) A local land expert says the Hight site offers the most population density in Rome/Floyd County thanks to the nearby high rises. C) The Ledbetters' proposed retail package across from RiverWalk might be leading in the race to land Publix. Several other sites are still being shopped as well.

-So why are we skeptical of the Publix-Hight acclamation?

-There are other options in play, including the Ledbetters, that offer a better locale for Publix' perceived demographic (a bit more upper-middle class).

-Nothing is final until the doors open. Look to Cartersville where Publix was listed as a signed and sealed deal at Carter Grove Commons. Due to open in 2010, it isn't even on the grocer's development list these days.

-Too many other false starts, including the original Steak N Shake announcement or Cabela's or Appalachian Grill on Broad Street or Seven Hills Town Center or the like. For whatever reason -- some very practical -- we've seen good deals crumble. Or fail upon ignition (Five Guys). People didn't believe the latest Steak N Shake report until Johnny Carino's was so much rubble.

-What to believe: You can see definitive, on-the-way, coming-up-soon evidence of the new cancer center and specialty hospital and Barron Stadium enhancements and the new rec center just by driving around Second Avenue and Turner McCall. For each of those, the deals are cut, finances in order, even SPLOST funds in the bank or on the way (Barron, rec center).

-The bottom line: We'll buy into the Publix/Hight hype when we see the "opening soon" sign on the store's doors. As we wrote to a colleague who's convinced of the Hight deal: The loser (who gets it wrong) buys lunch . . . at Rome City Market.

Business Buzz:

-Look for news on the sale of the former West Rome Kroger soon. The 58,000-square-foot store closed several years ago had been listed on Loopnet for $1.7 million. We hear there is a buyer (two actually). More this week on what's ahead for the store built in 1988.

-Also in the works: A little bit of movement on some smaller downtown Rome property. We continue to watch another, larger deal as well.

Political Buzz:

-Five forums this week--and at least one the following week: This election season seems more regional than usual and the number of candidate forums shows that. Five forums are set for the coming week including several in Bartow and Floyd, and one in Gordon County. Buckle up for a bumpy last few weeks before the July 20 primary. Click Politics

-Meet the primary candidates -- online -- via our profiles. Click Candidates

Rome Braves' Buzz

-With 'first season' in the can, how did the Rome Braves do?

-The first "half season" is over and perhaps we should be grateful. On the field, the Rome Braves were 30-39 (.435), one game out of the cellar vs. 13 other teams in the South Atlantic League . Savannah and Lakewood earn trips to the post-season. Round two begins Thursday with 70 more games (35 at home).

-On the plus side: Rome's home attendance through 34 home games was 102,270 or 3,008 tickets sold per game. In all of the 2009 season, the average attendance was 2,826 per game so 2010 is up by 6.4 percent at the half-way point.

Rome Braves' third baseman Chris Curley takes a big swing in the team's 5-0 win over the Greenville Drive on June 10. Photo by Mills Fitzner. For more, please see Mills' photos at Gallery.

PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs, lows of Northwest Georgia

-Peak to FP-Pigments: Esko Sarkki, president of FP Pigments, says his company will open a new manufacturing plant and regional office in Rome within the next nine to10 months. The company will bring 20 new jobs and invest $20 million. That's welcome news in light of the CCH exit and Pierre Foods closing.

-Peak to Saint Mary's Catholic School:Saint Mary's faculty, staff, students and parents worked hard to earn double accreditation, one from the Southern Association of Independent Schools and one from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

-Valley to the Euharlee U-turn: This latest roadblock on the 411 Connector is a nuisance at best, involving property owners, some "high-powered" Atlanta lawyers and a slick bunch of PR spin doctors. The business communities of Floyd and Bartow counties--and commuters--need to unite on this one and get it done. (And why does every Atlanta-based legal or PR firm get christened "high powered?" )

-Valley to the Broad Street repaving project:

Some final words on the recent repaving of Broad Street from First Avenue to Turner McCall. Sure, the resurfaced areas look better than before but why did this stimulus-funded, state Department of Transportation-executed project leave off the area in need of most work? That is, the bridge to South Rome--and beyond? As these Sunday pictures show, there are some repairs and repaving in much greater need. Oh, wait. We did say it was federal stimulus money and a state DOT project. Never mind.