12/31/11: U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson Delivers Weekly Republican Address

Media release: U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) released the following weekly Republican address. The address is available in both audio and video format and is embargoed until 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011.

-Audio of the address is available here

-Video of the address will be available here  

-Full transcript of Senator Isakson's Address:

 

"I'm United States Senator Johnny Isakson from the great state of Georgia. I hope that you and your family have had a very blessed holiday season. On this New Year's Eve, I'd like to wish you a very happy and healthy 2012.

 

"As a businessman who ran a company in the private sector for 22 years, I always began each year by setting goals for myself and my company. I'd like to take a moment to set some goals, or in this case, 'commitments,' that we as Republicans make to the American people for 2012.

 

"It's no secret that the number one issue facing our country is jobs. So the number one goal of the Republicans for 2012 is to continue to make it easier for American small businesses to create jobs.

 

"We'll accomplish this by focusing on three things: fundamental tax reform, regulatory reform and energy security.

 

"In 2012, Republicans will continue to fight for much-needed tax reform for all American families and small businesses. It is critical if we want to see the economy grow in this country.

 

"We should lower tax rates, do away with certain specialized and targeted tax deductions, broaden the tax base and close loopholes. Many of these suggestions were included in President Obama's own deficit commission's proposal, the Simpson-Bowles plan. Unfortunately, the President chose to ignore that plan.

 

"Congress cannot wait any longer to get our nation's fiscal house in order. This means tackling the nearly $4.5 trillion in additional debt that the Obama Administration has racked up in just the past three years.

 

"Democrats have pushed over and over again to raise taxes on the American families and small businesses to pay for their unsustainable spending habits. This is absolutely the wrong solution, especially in a time of a recession.

 

"Instead, we must dig our way out of this debt by reforming our tax system, cutting spending and extending opportunity for businesses to grow.

 

"In 2012, Republicans will continue to fight to remove the shackles of onerous federal regulations on American small businesses. This is one of the fastest ways we can empower small businesses to begin hiring again. It's one of the keys to bringing our country out of this recession.

 

"The burdensome overregulation by President Obama's federal agencies has resulted in small businesses holding capital on the sidelines and freezing plans to hire new workers. American business cannot plan ahead because they fear the next expensive regulation might be coming from the federal government.

 

"It is uncertainty that must end.

 

"The federal government cannot regulate our country into prosperity. Our job as legislators is to see to it that there is a level playing field for businesses, entrepreneurs and workers.

 

"Our job is not to eliminate risk. If you eliminate risk, you eliminate reward. If you eliminate risk and reward, you eliminate capitalism—the very foundation of our American economy.

 

"The third way that Republicans will make it easier to create jobs in the New Year is by continuing to push for energy solutions that create jobs, lower energy costs and remove our dependence on foreign oil.

 

"We can accomplish these goals by tapping into our domestic resources in an environmentally responsible way; such as through offshore drilling and shale extraction. We must develop all forms of energy—wind, solar, nuclear and others—if we're ever going to lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

 

"This past year, Republicans pushed for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline to transport 700,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada to the United States. This project would give America a reliable source of oil from our largest trading partner, and it would create tens of thousands of jobs for the American people. The Keystone pipeline is exactly the type of energy project this country needs.

 

"As we enter into this New Year, many have predicted that Congress will be too consumed with the Fall elections to accomplish anything significant.

 

"Americans cannot wait until after the November election. They need us to do our job and do it right now to create an economic climate that makes it easier to put people back to work. Republicans stand ready to do that.

 

"We're ready to go to work in 2012 to get the American people back to work.

 

"God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America in this New Year."

Floyd receives disaster declaration for Dec. 22 tornado, New Year's weather, Local Sears and Kmart not closing, Norman Arey's weekend bowl picks

Please see www.hometownheadlines.com

 

Floyd County receives disaster declaration from SBA for Dec. 22 tornado; Outreach Center to open Jan. 3

 

Clear skies with temps in upper 30's to ring in the New Year

-Friday: Sunny, high of 61, low of 38.

-New Year's Eve: Sunny, high of 62, low of 36.

-New Year's Day: Sunny, high of 57, low of 29.

 

Local Sears and Kmart stores safe for now as partial list of 79 of the 100 to 120 stores slated to close are announced by Sears holding company.

 

New Year's Buzz:

-Dec. 31: 2nd Resolution Run from Harbin's Sports Health Foundation: The 10K, 5K, and two-mile Health Walk will be held on New Year's Eve beginning at 9 a.m. on Jackson Hill beginning and ending at the Rome Visitor Center.

-New Year's Eve Downtown Entertainment report.

-Before you head out to celebrate, check the latest public health restaurant inspection reports.

 

Norman's No-Nos: The Bowl Editions. Arey

-Big bowl weekend as 26 teams go head-to-head

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7 until 9 a.m.

-Please join us Friday for a look at the top overall stories in 2011 and a look at what's ahead in 2012. Plus: Ann Arnold of the Downtown Development Authority joins us to talk about downtown's growth in 2011 and what's ahead next year.

Progress at Lowe's site, America's Mattress opening, Latest forecast, New Year's Entertainment report, Restaurant Scores

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

-Progress at site of Lowe's Distribution Center as steel beams are on the rise

-America's Mattress opening today on Shorter Ave. alongside World Hi-Fi Home Store

Your latest forecast:

-Thursday: Sunny, high of 56, low of 37.

-Friday: Sunny, high of 63, low of 40.

-New Year's Eve: Sunny, high of 64, low of 40.

-New Year's Day: Sunny, high of 63, low of 36.

-Extended forecast: Click // Latest radar: Click

-New Year's Eve Downtown Entertainment report. Mullins

-Latest public health restaurant inspection reports. Dining

Thursday's Buzz:

-Jan. 3: Floyd County Republican Women will meet at 11:30 a.m. for lunch with meeting at 12 p.m. at Red Lobster. Speaker will be State Senator Barry Loudermilk, District 52.

-Latest on the Dec. 22 tornado relief efforts. Tornado

-Christmas tree recycling in Rome. Your options include

>Floyd County: tree drop-off at all remote sites. Click

>City of Rome: place undecorated trees at curbside on the day of your regularly scheduled garbage/recycling pickup.

>Bring One for the Chipper will take place on Saturday, Jan. 7 at The Home Depot on Hicks Drive, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Members of Georgia Power's Northwest Region Green Team will be assisting at the drop-off along with volunteers from Keep Rome Floyd Beautiful and the City of Rome Tree Board. 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7 until 9 a.m.

-Today we take a look at this year's biggest business stories. Also joining us is Ryan Earnest of Heritage First Bank as we talk about changes there and in the banking industry in 2011 and next year.

Listen online.

Latest on our overnight weather; what's ahead this week. Big plans for Redmond Regional. Lottery jackpot tops $200 million. Prayer garden blessing, Resolution Run on Saturday.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

Latest on our overnight weather:

-.80 of an inch of rain so far from latest storm.

-Wind advisory in effect until 7 tonight; gusts to 30 mph.

-100% chance of rain today with overnight lows near 30.
-What's ahead today, in final days of 2011.

Big plans at Redmond Regional in 2012. Lots of changes on  main campus, elsewhere.

Blessing of prayer garden set for Saturday.

Resolution Run ready to go Saturday morning.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7 until 9 a.m.

-Tuesday's show includes a look one week out at the Iowa caucuses with Layla Shipman of the Young Republicans (supporting Gingrich) and Joe McCutcheon supporting Romney; also, Marie Bishop Brinson on La' Marie's at Magretta Hall. Listen online.

$205 million jackpot tonight in Power Ball.

Norman Arey's Bowl picks.

 

Time Running Out for Tax Deduction on Charitable Donations

Media release: The clock is winding down for taxpayers looking to claim deductions for charitable donations. December 31 is the last day donations can be applied to the 2011 tax year.

Goodwill of North Georgia is gearing up for what is consistently their busiest week of the year. "We anticipate serving nearly 67,000 donors this week alone," says Director of Public Relations Elaine Armstrong. "We encourage families to gather items now because with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it's easy to forget items you intended to donate."

The organization has more than 100 locations where donors can give clothing, books, furniture and other household items. Goodwill also accepts unwanted computer equipment at each of its donation centers. Through a partnership with Dell, those items are recycled ─ keeping potentially harmful items out of landfills.

Because of the increase in activity at its facilities, Goodwill is reminding donors to double check what they plan to donate before leaving the house. "Our goal is to make the experience quick and easy for donors, so we will have additional staff on hand to help speed up the process," Armstrong explains.

During the past year, Goodwill has added more than a dozen sites where North Georgians can donate. The nonprofit also launched a new location finder on its website, making it easy for donors to find their nearest location.

For more information about Goodwill of North Georgia, visit www.goodwillng.org. 

2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration schedule

 

Media release: Below please find the 2012 King Celebration weekend events for Greater Rome: 

 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13^TH

The Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Rome and Northwest Georgia will be hosting its annual King Celebration Weekend. The Celebration begins on Friday evening with "A Place Of Pride and Dignity" an original production written and directed by Mrs. Willie Mae Samuel. The play will be held at the City Auditorium and will start promptly at 6:45 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14^TH

 

On Saturday morning at 8:15 a.m. at the Berry College Ford Dining Hall Rome, Georgia will be the annual Prayer Breakfast. Tickets $15.00 each, tables (seat ten) are also available for $125.00 and are available at Kroger East. The speaker for the morning will be Reverend Joseph Stafford Rowser,Jr. he is a member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Attalla,Alabama and presently serves as moderator of the Rushing Springs District Missionary Baptist Association.

 

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15^TH

 Sunday's ecumenical services will be held at Thankful Baptist Church 935 Spider Webb Dr.  Rome Georgia at 6:00 pm. The speaker for the evening will be Reverend Clarence Moore ,President of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia Inc.

 

MONDAY, JANUARY 16^th

  Monday will begin with the annual Freedom March. We ask participants to assemble at 11:00 am at the corner of Broad and 1^st. The march will begin at 11:30am and proceed to the Rome City Auditorium where the noon Martin Luther King Celebration will be held. The speaker for the program will be Dr Timothy McDonald. The weekend will culminate with a free lunch at the Rome Civic Center following the noon celebration program. Doors will not open until after the noon day program.  

 

For additional information please contact Alvin Jackson, chairman of the M.L.K. Commission of Rome and NW GA at 706-235-7415 or 706-346-7202.The theme for weekend is "United We Serve".

Georgia gas prices down another 3 cents; now 18 cents more a gallon vs. a year ago

Media release: Retail gasoline prices remain stable as the price of a barrel of oil neared $100 again after multiple reports were released last week that showed positive acceleration for the U.S. economy. Single-family home purchases rose in November to a seven-month high as U.S. unemployment claims fell by 4,000 to 364,000 last week, reported the U.S. Labor Department.

At the same time, U.S. stockpiles of crude oil decreased by 10.6 million barrels and consumer sentiment rose to 69.9 from 64.1 at the end of November, according to a Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan report. Consumer sentiment rose more than the initial projection of 67.7. Pressure on Iran's nuclear program continues as more countries ban together to stifle the country's nuclear efforts. Crude oil settled Friday at $99.68 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange—$6.15 more than the week prior.

"Although the national average for a gallon of gasoline rose one cent, state prices in the Southeast remain stable with no increase," said Jessica Brady, AAA spokesperson, The Auto Club Group. "However, the rate of decrease at the pump may begin to slow as we approach the New Year and the market rallies as more uplifting economic news is released."

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.23 per gallon, 1 cent more than last week. Florida's average price of $3.25 and Tennessee's average price of $3.05 both decreased 1-cent from last week as well. Georgia's average price of 3.11 reflects a 4-cent decrease from last week, respectively.  

CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

                                    Current           Week Ago      Month Ago     Year Ago     

National:                   $3.230        $3.228                $3.312            $3.034

Florida:                      $3.250          $3.269                $3.333             $3.057

Georgia:                     $3.118         $3.152               $3.218             $2.943

Tennessee:               $3.056          $3.068             $3.136              $2.897 

AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report (fuelgaugereport.com) is updated each day and is the most comprehensive; reflecting actual prices from credit card transactions within the past 24 hours at two-thirds (100,000 stations) of the gasoline stations in the U.S. Its accuracy is unparalleled.

More storm photos from West Rome by Chris Bishop

Additional storm photos from West Rome taken by Chris Bishop

Justice Department approves Georgia's redistricting plans

 

Media release: The U.S. Department of Justice has approved the congressional and legislative maps passed into law this summer by the state of Georgia, the state's elected leaders learned today. Under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, Georgia must receive approval from the federal government before any changes in election practices or procedures are implemented.

 

"The state of Georgia put forth a tremendous team effort. The maps offer rational district lines, equitable representation and meet the strict standards of the Voting Rights Act," Gov. Nathan Deal said. "The Justice Department's decision demonstrates that our state's districts serve our diverse population well. The Legislature conducted an open and fair process that allowed input from all parts of the state, and the final product reflects legislators' hard work and diligence. Special thanks also goes to Attorney General Sam Olens, who shepherded the maps through the preclearance process."

 

"I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Justice affirmed that Georgia's new legislative and congressional plans meet the legal requirements of the Voting Rights Act," said Attorney General Sam Olens. "The responsible approach taken by the General Assembly during the redistricting process resulted in carefully drawn maps, which ensure that Georgia's growing population will be fairly represented. In fact, this redistricting cycle marks the first time since the Voting Rights Act became law that all of Georgia's plans have been approved on the first review. I applaud the excellent work of Gov. Deal,  Lt. Gov. Casey, Speaker Ralston and the General Assembly, and outside counsel Strickland Brockington Lewis throughout the process to ensure a positive outcome for the citizens of Georgia."

 

"From the beginning of this process, all of us have been committed to ensuring that Georgia's legislative and congressional maps are fair and meet all legal requirements, including compliance with the Voting Rights Act," Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said. "Today's decision by the Department of Justice is a validation of our commitment to those principles. I appreciate the diligent work of the Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee as well as the entire Senate that resulted in this important approval."

 

"Today's announcement by the U.S. Justice Department is welcome news and validates what we have been saying all along -- that these maps are fair, sensible and fully comply with the Voting Rights Act. I appreciate House Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Committee Chairman Roger Lane, the members of his committee and the staff for their efforts that allowed us to successfully reach this point."

 

Today's approval by the Democratically controlled Justice Department marks the first time in Georgia's history that the federal government has approved all three statewide redistricting plans on the first review. The federal approval means that the new districts will be used in the 2012 elections.

 

Brian Robinson

brobinson@georgia.gov

 

Mickler: Which foods can be refrozen and which can't, and caring for storm-damaged landscape.

 

By Keith Mickler
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Floyd County

Below are guidelines for food safety following a power outage by Dr. Elizabeth Andress, with the University of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences along with a link to several articles no caring for a storm damaged landscape from the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

When a storm knocks out electricity, people need to know when frozen foods are still safe to eat. University of Georgia experts warn that if certain foods aren't kept cold, they could be dangerous to your health.

Keep food cold

Ideally, when the power goes out, the first thing you should do is place a refrigerator/freezer thermometer in the freezer.

The recommended temperature for food storage in refrigerators is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension experts say, if the freezer stays as cold as the refrigerator, many foods will be safe to use or refreeze.

Dry ice can also help save many foods in your freezer. A 50-pound block of dry ice will protect food in a 20-cubic foot freezer for three to four days.

The amount of food in the freezer will determine in part how long the food will stay frozen. The fuller the fridge, the longer the food will stay frozen while the power is off.

If it's packed, the freezer will hold its temperature about 48 hours if you don't open it. If it's half-full, it will hold its temperature only 24 hours. The question of safety becomes a bigger issue the longer you're without power.

Rule of thumb

Perishable foods need to be thrown away if their temperature or the freezer temperature rises above 40 degrees. Different foods have specific telltale signs for deciding what to keep and what to discard:

Meat and poultry.

If the freezer stays 40 degrees or lower, meat and poultry may be refrozen if it has no signs of spoilage, such as off odor and off color.

If they have any sign of spoilage or the freezer or food has reached more than 40 degrees, dispose of them. If you don't have a thermometer, refreeze only the meat or poultry that still contains ice crystals.

If any foods in the refrigerator or freezer have come in contact with raw meat juices, throw them out, too.

Shellfish, vegetables and cooked foods.

If the freezer maintains a temperature of 40 degrees or below or the food still has ice crystals, it may be refrozen. Otherwise, like meat and poultry, discard it. If any vegetables show signs of spoilage, throw them out, regardless of temperature.

Fruits.

Fruits have the least amount of quality damage during thawing. If they don't show any signs of spoilage, you can safely refreeze them. However, the texture won't be the same after refreezing. Thawed fruits may be used in cooking or making jams, jellies or preserves.

Ice cream.

Throw it out if it's partially thawed. Freezer or ice cream temperatures higher than 40 degrees could cause ice cream to be unsafe.

Creamed foods, puddings and cream pies.

These are safe to refreeze only if the freezer has stayed 40 degrees or below. If it rises above 40, discard them.

Breads, doughnuts, cookies, cakes and nuts.

These may be refrozen as long as they show no signs of mold growth. They typically refreeze better than most foods.

Shelf life of refrozen foods.

If you plan to use the food that has been thawing in the freezer while the power is out, make sure it has maintained a temperature of 40 degrees or below. And use it within two to three days. Treat it as if you had been deliberately thawing it in the refrigerator.

While refrozen food is safe to eat if you follow these tips, you may need to offset some degree of quality loss by using it sooner than you may have originally planned.

Information from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension on caring for a storm damaged landscape:

http://www.caes.uga.edu/topics/disasters/winterstorm/cleanup/index.html

Keith Mickler is the County Coordinator and agriculture agent for The University of Georgia/Floyd County Cooperative Extension. Located at 12 East 4^th Ave., Rome, GA  30161 (706) 295-6210. Office hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension - Learning for Life. Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. To obtain extension publications please visit our web site at www.extension.uga.edu

 

Friday morning photos from stricken West Rome: John Davenport, Division Street, Shorter Avenue

 

Prepare for Severe Storms and Tornadoes with Tips from GEMA's Ready Georgia Campaign

Media release: Prepare for Tornadoes, Thunderstorms and Lightning

• Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify weather hazards, including understanding the difference between a watch and a warning.
  • A thunderstorm watch means there is a possibility of a thunderstorm in your area.
  • A thunderstorm warning means a thunderstorm is occurring or will likely occur soon. If you are advised to take shelter, do so immediately.
  • A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area.
  • A tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted in your area, and you need to take shelter immediately.
• Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.
• Remember the 30/30 lightning safety rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
• Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a warning. Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection. If underground shelter is not available, go into an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they attract debris.
• A vehicle, trailer or mobile home does not provide good protection. Plan to go quickly to a building with a strong foundation, if possible.
• If shelter is not available, lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. 

 

Make a Tornado and Thunderstorm Plan

• If a thunderstorm is likely in your area, postpone outdoor activities.
• Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
• Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades, or curtains.
• Avoid showering or bathing during a thunderstorm. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
• Watch for darkening skies, lightning, increasing winds.
• Go quickly inside a home, building, or hard top automobile, if possible.
• If shelter is not available, go to the lowest area nearby and make yourself the smallest target possible but do not lie flat on the ground.
• If on open water, get to land and shelter immediately.

Things to avoid include:

• Tall, isolated tree in an open area.
• Hilltops, open fields, the beach, a boat on the water, isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.
• Anything metal-tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles, golf carts, golf clubs, and bicycles.

 

Stay Informed

• Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should listen to a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio or radio for the latest updates.
• Do not use electrical items such as computers or television sets as power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
• A corded telephone should only be used in an emergency, but cordless phones and cell phones are safe to use.
• After a tornado, be sure to remain out of damaged buildings and stay clear of downed power lines.

 

To learn how to prepare for emergencies, create communications plans and more, visit ready.ga.gov. For preparedness on the go, download Ready Georgia's free mobile app.

 

A Christmas miracle: Stunning storm causes massive damage but few injuries. Continuing coverage all day.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

Latest updates on Thursday's storm damage:
-We're calling it a Christmas miracle. Despite the intensity of the Thursday afternoon storms, no one was seriously injured. Lots of damage in West Rome, Summerville Park and other areas, however.
-Continuing coverage on Hometown Headlines all day today.

Your Christmas weekend forecast:
-Friday: Mostly sunny, high of 58, low of 36.
-Christmas Eve: High of 56, low of 41, overnight rain: 20%
-Christmas Day: 70% chance of rain, high of 53, low of 35.

Track Santa's arrival with NORAD again this year.

Christmas jingle indeed: $300 million in lottery jackpots tonight,  Christmas Eve.

Norman Arey's Norman's No-Nos
-Norman's notes on the bowl season losers, round two:This 'almost also-rans' bowl week features big names from the past: FSU, Notre Dame, Texas and others.

Friday's Buzz:
-Rome Police using Facebook to find theft suspects.
-Redmond Regional gets state honors.
-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores.
-Friday night updates from downtown entertainment spots.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m., WRGA 1470 AM
-Please join us Friday for State Schools Superintendent John Barge, Deacon Stuart Neslin of Saint Mary's Catholic Church and state Sen. Barry Loudermilk.

West Rome storm damage photos by Kathy Baker

 

These are from Hidden Valley, off Burnett Ferry Road. (The date is wrong, I had to replace the camera batteries, and was a day off).

Kathy Baker

Rome's jobless rate drops from 11.1% to 10.4% in November. Million-dollar project in downtown? Fog could give way to record heat, rain

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

Dense fog advisory until 8 a.m. for much of Northwest Georgia. Visibility on area roads reduced to a quarter mile or less. Please leave a few minutes early, drive slower, leave more space between cars.

Big drop in Rome/Floyd County's jobless rate:
-Floyd, Bartow, Gordon and Chattooga counties all saw jobless rates in the low double digits last month while Polk's unemployment rate was the first to fall into the single digits.
-Rome's jobless rate dropped seven-tenths of a percentage point from 11.1 percent in October to 10.4 percent. In November 2010, the jobless rate was 10.7 percent.

A million-dollar project for downtown Rome?
-That's the buzz from DDA director Ann Arnold when asked about what's ahead in 2012. That is in addition to the proposed West Third Street hotel.
-Two restaurant openings also in the works for few weeks of new year.

Cups & Mugs version two taking shape at Redmond Regional.

Record high for the first day of winter?
-We'll come close with 70 degrees forecast.

Today's Buzz:
-Champion hand cyclist to tell his story on Jan. 5.
-County makes it official: Blaine Williams is the new county manager.
-Lottery jackpots:  Mega Millions at $175 million Friday night; PowerBall's Christmas Eve jackpot: $1.25 million.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m., WRGA 1470 AM.

-Join us today as we talk with state Sen. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville; Floyd County Environmental Health Manager Mike Pitts; and Georgia Schools Superintendent John Barge. Listen online.for   Listen live online. 

 

Norman Arey's Norman's No-Nos
-Norman's notes on who will lose and why this college football season. Next update: Friday.       

Rome Braves: Sports

-Fredi Gonzalez, manager of the Atlanta Braves, to speak at 10th Annual Hot Stove Gathering Jan. 30 at The Forum.   

Westmoreland and Chambliss Hail Passage of Bill to Study Bank Failures

Media release: Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2056, legislation sponsored by Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03) and Senator Saxby Chambliss (GA), and sent it to President Obama for his signature.  The legislation will conduct studies looking into potential causes for the high number of bank failures across the United States.  Even though financial markets have somewhat stabilized since the dramatic drops we saw in late 2008, 140 banks failed in 2009 and another 157 failed in 2010.  Georgia leads the nation in bank failures, with more than 73 failed banks since 2008.

 

"When I ask federal regulators why so many banks in Georgia and across the country have failed and continue to fail, I'm given dozens of different excuses, but no real solutions to stopping this epidemic.  Community banks are the economic engine of our towns and cities, and the large number of failed banks in Georgia can have a devastating effect on our economic recovery.  Without these local lenders, job growth and economic investment can dry up – an unmistakable reality proven by the fact that the ten states with the highest number of failures also have some of the highest unemployment and foreclosure rates in the country.  Hopefully, this legislation can lead to answers to not only what's behind these bank failures but also answers to how we can make sure this doesn't happen again in the future," stated Westmoreland.

 

"Since 2008, there have been more than 400 bank failures nationwide. Seventy three of those have occurred in Georgia alone.  It is clear that Congress needs more information about the underlying causes of these bank failures. If there is a better way to resolve this crisis, we must pursue it. This bill is the first step to doing that," stated Chambliss.

 

The legislation would provide for two studies – one conducted by the Inspector General of the FDIC and one by the General Accounting Office (GAO) – to look into the impact some of the policies and procedures of the FDIC, including loss-share agreements and paper losses, and whether they may have negatively affected troubled institutions.  The studies would look at banks in the ten states with the highest number of failures: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, and Washington.  The legislation was initially introduced in May of this year by Congressman Westmoreland.  It passed the House in July and was sent to the Senate for consideration.  After being amended by the Senate in November, it was sent back to the House for final passage.  The president is expected to sign the bill into law before the end of the year.

 

View Congressman Westmoreland Discussing H.R. 2056 on the House Floor

Read the Senate amendment to H.R. 2056

Floyd County tops in state for animal rabies cases

 

State public health officials have determined that with its recent 15^th confirmed case Floyd County ranks first in Georgia for positive animal rabies cases.   Floyd's fifteen cases comprise two dogs, three foxes and ten raccoons that have tested positive for rabies.  Local public health officials are urging Floyd County residents to take precautions to prevent their pets or themselves from contracting the usually fatal disease.

 

"The best way to prevent rabies is to have your pet vaccinated against it," says Northwest Georgia Public Health Environmental Health Director Tim Allee.  "Get your pet vaccinated against rabies now.  It's the single best way to protect your pet  --  and yourself  --   from rabies," says Allee.  "It's important to do it for their protection, for our protection and because it's state law."

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health's Acute Disease Epidemiology Section, Floyd ranks #1 in the state for positive rabies specimens with fifteen animal cases. Banks and Madison are second with eleven, and Gwinnett is third with ten.

 

Despite its first-place ranking in a category public health officials wish the county never appears at all, Allee say rabies probably isn't any more prevalent in Floyd County than anywhere else in the state.  He suggests Floyd's unusual number of confirmed animal rabies cases may stem from a higher local rate of reporting animal bites and subsequent testing for rabies.  

"We've done a lot of community education on how to protect against rabies, especially working with local veterinarians, and it could be this is paying off in increased reporting of animal bites, Allee speculates.  "We wish it would also pay off with increased pet vaccination rates."   

"We know our pets can be infected when they're bitten by rabid wild animals," says Floyd County Health Department Environmental Health Manager Mike Pitts.   "This can cause 'spillover' rabies in domestic animals and increases the risk to humans.  We require pets to be vaccinated against rabies to prevent them from acquiring the disease from wildlife and transmitting it to us," Pitts said. "The rabies vaccination protects us as well as our pets."

Pitts urges people with pets to:

·        visit your veterinarian with your pet on a regular basis and keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for all cats, ferrets, and dogs,

·        maintain control of your pets by keeping cats and ferrets indoors and keeping dogs under direct supervision,

·        spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or vaccinated regularly and

·        call animal control to remove all stray animals from your neighborhood since these animals may be unvaccinated or ill.

For more information about rabies, contact the Floyd County Health Department at 706-295-6316 or visit http://www.cdc.gov/rabies