5 COVID deaths, 1 'probable' death in NW Georgia Wednesday. Free tests end in Bartow. Floyd Schools near quarantine record; Rome goes virtual. Bids sought on West Rome Raceway. Jobs update. Officer of the Year.

Today's first headlines

• 5 deaths posted Wednesday (2 in Floyd, 2 Chattooga, 1 Bartow) plus a new 'probable death' in Polk. 101 patients in Floyd, Redmond, down 13. Free COVID tests in Bartow end. 226 new cases reported Wednesday.
• Floyd Schools show 712 quarantines Wednesday; pandemic record is 788. Rome Schools virtual through Feb. 5. Cartersville posts 2 positive tests.
• Business: Bids sought on Raceway planned for West Rome with a fall opening in mind. What to know: 3,500 square feet, 16 pumps, 2 diesel bays.
• Jobs: Updates on Northwest Georgia's employment trends.
• Floyd Police Private Craig Stanfield named officer of the year; case involved subduing shooting suspect and providing life-saving medical help to the victim.
• Leprechaun-a-thon 5K and Health Walk returns March 20 with a new name, COVID-safe 'waves' of runners and walkers, and lots of green.
• Buzz: Rome's Redevelopment Committee talks annexation, South Rome, housing, a TAD for North Broad. Dempsey talks COVID, mental health. Optimist Club marks 'day of hope.'

Also today:

• Ware Mechanical Weather Center: Bartow County, state set tornado drill for Wednesday, Feb. 3. Strong winds today will keep wind chill under 40 all day.
• Obituaries: Mr. George Rufus Dyar Jr., Ronnie Mixon Sr., Mr. Roy Varnell Thomas.
• Dining: Public Health restaurant inspection scores, Tuesday-Saturday.
• Crimewatch: Updates on area arrests.

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Truett's Chick-Fil-A Sports Report:

• Georgia's 2021 football schedule is out.
• Link to the week-by-week SEC schedule.
• Tennessee hires Central Florida football coach Josh Heupel.
• Super Bowl is Sunday, Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m., CBS. Bucs vs. the Chiefs.
• Spring sports registration under way with Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation.
• Countdown to spring training at CoolToday Park for Atlanta Braves. What to know.