Sears closing Rome store; now we're hearing Kmart rumors. Courtyard clears key hurdle. Powerball's $1.5 billion jackpot: Who's in? Snow still in early Sunday forecast. Obituaries. GHC basketball no. 2 in nation; Shorter hires new football coach.

Today's first news from www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

Ware Mechanical weather:

• Light snow remains in the Sunday morning forecast; rain back Friday. Weather

Today's headlines:

• Sears closing Rome store in mid-March; liquidation sale starts Friday. Severance, possible placement in other stores for 86 employees. Sears
  
• Powerball's $1.5 billion (and growing) jackpot on the line tonight. You in? Lottery's John Crow joins us on Hometown Radio at 8:40 this morning. Record
• Pre-K registration dates are Feb. 1-12 for next year's Floyd County class. Pre-K
• 'Community Watch' focuses on Rome's Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Weekend Celebration. Video
• Region: Household recycle event is Saturday. HEART Project returning Feb. 1. Updates
• Smile Report: The Pepperell High Academic Decathlon team defends Floyd County Schools academic title. Smile
• Smile Report: The Rome Area Heritage Foundation recently awarded the Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home with a $1,500 grant to help repainting of the clapboard structure's north façade. Smile
• Smile Report: Exchange Club presents a gift of $20,000 to the Family Resource Center. Smile
• Obituaries:  Remembering Eugene Talmadge Selman, Theresa L Komanitzky. Obituaries
• Latest Public Health restaurant inspection scores. Dining
• Area arrest reports brought to you by Dr. Miniyar's Pediatrics. CrimeWatch

Regular features:

• Northwest Georgia traffic conditions via Google Maps or Waze.
• Today's business headlines from  Georgia Trend
• Northwest Georgia's best source for job leads. Click Career Builder

Chick-fil-A Dwarf House Sports Report

• Aaron Kelton named Shorter football coach.
• Georgia Highlands' men's basketball no. 2 in the country this week.
• High school updates.
• Hot Stove updates from Rome Braves.
• NFL playoffs continue Saturday, Sunday.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition on WRGA 98.7 FM.
-Please join us from 7-9 a.m. with our guests:

• At 8:10 a.m.: Rome Braves General Manager Mike Dunn on the 14th annual Hot Stove Gathering set for Monday, Jan. 25.
• At 8:40 a.m.: Get the latest updates on tonight's drawing as Georgia Lottery's John Crow joins us.