5 more deaths, record number of hospital patients, 207 new positive tests, school cases rising. Loudermilk the latest to test positive. Advance voting updates. Model Middle's Will Hosford repeats as spelling champ.

Today's first headlines:

• 5 more deaths: 2 in Floyd, 1 in Chattooga from COVID; 2 more 'probable' deaths in Floyd. Record 117 COVID patients at Floyd, Redmond Regional. 207 new positive tests Tuesday.
• Region:  Floyd Schools' quarantines up 113 to 670 with 8 new cases Tuesday. 208 in quarantine at Rome; 1 new case. Five of 19 Bartow schools now in 'yellow' phase. 7 more positive in Cartersville; 43 quarantined.
• Education: Model Middle sixth-grader Will Hosford again takes the Floyd County Schools' District Spelling Bee crown.
• Politics: Loudermilk tests positive for COVID; 'mild symptoms.' Voting: More than 600 advance voters Monday in Floyd; you can vote now through Dec. 23 in Floyd, including the weekend, and then Dec. 28-31.

Also today:

• Buzz: A virtual free performance of 'A Christmas Carol' available this weekend. Rome seeks feedback on 'action plan.' Coosa High alums helping school store.
• Ware Mechanical Weather Center: Rainy day ahead and then some cold mornings into the weekend. Honors for Calhoun Electric crew for helping hurricane victims.
• Obituaries: Ms. Crema Freeman, 105; Mrs. Mary Magalene Rogers Culberson; Stephanie Leigh Henderson; Ms. Hattie Mae Long; James Philo (JP) Reid, Jr.; Christopher George Webb; Mr. William Burand (Billy) Wilson.
• Dining: Public Health restaurant inspection scores, Tuesday-Saturday.
• Crimewatch: Updates on area arrests.

Truett's Chick-Fil-A Sports Report:

• Christmas basketball tournament begins tonight but with changes.
• John McClellan's high school playoff picks: Cartersville over Coffee this Friday, moving the Purple Hurricanes to the state championship game Dec. 30. McClellan
• Canceled: Georgia vs. Vanderbilt on Saturday.
• SEC Championship Saturday: Alabama vs. Florida.
• Falcons host Tampa Bay, 1 p.m., Fox, 92.9 FM The Game.