Boom year for Bartow economic development: 686 jobs, $156 million invested. Taverna opens with unique menu. Democrats are coming; pass the hat! Remember killer February 1993 tornadoes. High school girls set for tonight's tournaments.

This morning's first headlines and updates all day from Hometown Headlines

4 things to know today: Bartow's booming 2016 -- 686 jobs, $156 million invested. Taverna's cool menu (Moussaka!) Polk man's $75K birthday. Democrats flood the ATL; GOP passing the hat. 4 things

Rome Board of Education names Byars as next superintendent.Byars

Katerina Creel named Model High's STAR student; Lacey Pinson, her dance and drama teacher, is the STAR teacher.  Model

Remembering the deadly Feb. 21-22, 1993, tornadoes that pounded Polk, Bartow and other parts of Georgia. Tornadoes 

Buzz: 'Evening on the Runway' looks like a packed flight. New director for Open Door Home. How to enter Kiwanis Art Show (for kids). Buzz 

Ash Wednesday on March 1 begins the 40 days of Lent. Service schedule and additional events including 'Shrove Tuesday' on Feb. 28. Lent 

Ware Mechanical Weather Center: Back up to 70 today; it's so warm Ober Gatlinburg closes for skiing after tonight.  Weather 

Georgia Health News: State House health panel approves needle exchange bill. Health 

Remembering Ellen Joan Ellison, Mrs. Katie Evans Steed, Mr. William Harlan Thompson, Ms. Rosalie Simon Williams. Obituaries 

Public Health restaurant inspection scores. Dining

Area arrest reports brought to you by Dr. Miniyar's Pediatrics. Crimewatch

Also today:

Traffic: Georgia DOT, Google Maps or Waze.

State business headlines: Georgia Trend

Northwest Georgia jobs: Career Builder

Chick-fil-A Dwarf House Sports Report 

Model, Armuchee and Darlington girls play in round two of the state basketball playoffs.

 

More honors for Shorter's Pridemore.

 

Local college basketball updates

 

RADIO: Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m., WRGA 98.7 FM

Please join our guests including:

7:40 a.m. Louis Byars, the newly named superintendent of Rome City Schools, talks about what's next for the students and system.

8:40 a.m. Students from Pepperell High's SADD chapter recap their presentation on the dangers of Ga. 101 to state leaders, including the plan to install "rumble strips."