Rome leans toward entertainment idea on West Third; tables Celanese annexation. 5 more COVID deaths, 3 more probable deaths. Schools: Quarantines up; 'yellow' phase for Bartow elementary. 7 jail inmates charged in sexual assault.

Today's first headlines:

• Marathon Redevelopment Committee meeting hears a preference for the city's West Third land (entertainment-based), housing and the River District.
• 5 more COVID deaths posted Wednesday in NW Georgia, 3 more probable deaths. 64 virus patients in Floyd, Redmond on Wednesday, up 4. Vaccine updates.
• COVID on campus: 130 quarantines at Floyd Schools, up 17. No new cases at Cartersville Schools on Wednesday. Bartow's Cloverleaf moves to 'yellow' phase.
• GBI: 7 Floyd County Jail inmates -- all Ghostface Gangster members -- charged with sexually assaulting another inmate.
• Health: Floyd adds trauma medical director, surgeons, associates as state seeks to enhance critical care coverage.
• Education: How local schools did with the annual AP Honors rankings.

Also today:

• Buzz: Christopher P. Twyman named Georgia Super Lawyers honoree for 2021. Flu pretty much a no-show so far this season. Cartersville designated a Georgia Exceptional Main Street community. Floyd GOP Women meet Tuesday.
• Ware Mechanical Weather Center: A little cooler today, Friday and then back to the low 70s. Rain off-and-on into Monday.
• Obituaries: Dr. Elaine Hajosy, Mr. Donald Gene Hunt, Ms. Angie Ruth Prater, Mrs. Betty Joyce Smith, Mrs. Rachel Oaks Treadaway, Mr. Wilbur Turner.
• Dining: Public Health restaurant inspection scores, Tuesday-Saturday.
• Crimewatch brought to you by thestoragehound.com. Updates on arrests.

---

Truett's Chick-Fil-A Sports Report:

• High school basketball state playoffs and what's next.
• Updates on COVID policies at each; game times.
• Berry (home) and Shorter (away) spring football games on Saturday. Please check attendance policies first.
• Baseball updates including spring training.
• Falcons update on the draft.
• Community sports updates