Jan. 12, 2022

Snow on Sunday, Omicron surge and these other headlines:

-We're due for some sort of winter event early Sunday, likely 0.4 of an inch of snow. We're tracking the changing forecast today.

-COVID numbers continue to surge in all directions: a record day for new cases; Rome hospitals more than doubling virus patient counts in 12 days; dozens of new school-reported cases.

-EDUCATION: New member, new leadership for Rome City Schools while a search panel is named to find the next Charger in Charge at Georgia Highlands (still among our favorite Twitter handles).

-SPORTS: Two new high school football coaches in Bartow... Latest high school basketball rankings... Time to celebrate in Athens ... Wild card weekend for the NFL.

Continuing updates at:

Rome hospitals see jump in COVID patients, now 128. 11 more virus deaths in NW Georgia. Rome Schools all requiring masks, classroom meals. Polk Schools go virtual. Stevenson Rome's new mayor.

Today's first headlines:

• Weekend surge in COVID patients admitted to Rome hospitals: 128 total as of Monday, up 32 since Friday's report. 11 more deaths in NW Georgia; 3 more probable deaths. 2,254 new cases here since last report.
• All Rome schools requiring masks, in-room meals starting today Citing high faculty/staff COVID issues, Polk School District go virtual. At Berry, 61 students test positive since Saturday. 49 more cases at Floyd Schools Monday.
• Rome's new mayor is Sundai Stevenson; Mark Cochran is pro tem. Also, Elaina Beeman joined the commission.
• Education: Floyd School Board elects Strickland chair, Shell vice chair; tables social media policy.
• Leprechaun-a-thon 5K and Health Walk returns March 19 with a downtown course, foamy aftermath at Town Green.
• AdventHealth Gordon, Harbin Clinic team up to offer advance cardiac services.
• Education: Floyd County Schools Pre-K Online application for the next school year open Feb. 1.
• Ware Mechanical Weather Center: 48 today and then back to the 50s through Saturday under sunny skies.
• Remembering Dr. Earl Graeff Barton Jr., from Eagle Scout to chief resident to a senior staff member at the VA Medical Center in Atlanta -- and a 'wicked sense of humor.'
• Obituaries: Robert Jackson Brown, Inez Beaty Durham, Mr. Kaylon Blake Higgins, Mrs. Rachel Ann Breeden Highfield, Lynne Sherri Mills, Mrs. Doris Evelyn Gober Sitten,
• Dining: Public Health restaurant inspection scores, Tuesday-Saturday.
• Crimewatch brought to you by Big Dan's Car Wash. Updates on arrests.

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Truett's Chick-fil-A Sports Report

• Georgia 33-18 over  Alabama: Your national champion. .
• Update on what's next for Rome High star Knox Kadum.
• Model loses appeal for reclassification by GHSA.
• NFL wild card schedule for this Saturday through Monday.
• Falcons already building 2022 team; a look at who they play.
• Community sports updates.

 

Coosa's newest member: Marjorie Taylor Greene? 2 GOP opponents for Hufstetler. Is new salary, title enough for next elections boss? General Assembly begins. Annual King Celebration starts Saturday.

Today's first headlines:

 

Newsletter: Hometown's insider report -- now twice each week.

 

• Will we see a Greene on the greens at Coosa Country Club?
• The crowded GOP primary for state Senate.
• Are the new title, salary for Floyd's next elections boss enough in today's conspiracy madness?
• Peaks & Valleys.

 

Also today:

• Who's who in our local legislative delegation as the General Assembly convenes today.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration begins Saturday with virtual prayer breakfast, ends with annual march.
• Buzz: Rome-Floyd Recycling Center sets Household Hazardous Waste/Electronics event for Saturday. Free legal services this Friday.
• Ware Mechanical Weather Center: Upper 40s to start the week with some higher gusts today. Sunny skies.
• Obituaries: No additional obituaries from Sunday.
• Dining: Public Health restaurant inspection scores, Tuesday-Saturday.
• Crimewatch brought to you by Big Dan's Car Wash. Updates on arrests.

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Truett's Chick-fil-A Sports Report

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  • Georgia vs. Alabama, national championship, 8 p.m. Monday, ESPN.
  • Advance, post-game coverage on SEC Network.
  • Falcons fall to the Saints in the season finale, 30-20.
  • Community sports updates.

 

 

As Omicron cases surge here, vaccination numbers in need of a booster. GBI investigating death of Floyd jail inmate. Thank area veterans for the huge economic impact on our area. Update on flu season.

Today's first headlines:

• Vaccination numbers barely moved last week amid the Omicron surge across NW Georgia. The week saw a 57% increase in hospitalizations and 2,146 new cases (with two days of data still out).
• GBI asked to investigate death of a Floyd County Jail inmate, 55, who was found 'unresponsive' late Friday.
• Another reason to thank nearly 9,000 veterans in Floyd and Gordon for their service: They have a huge economic impact on our area.
• Ahead of the headlines: Floyd Board of Education expected to vote on staff social media policy. Rome City Commission installs new member, picks mayor. Rome School Board elects officers, talks next extra-penny tax proposal. Floyd commission meets.
• Health: Two more flu deaths in Georgia this season (6 to date), already double the total from the mild 2020-21 season.
• Ware Mechanical Weather Center: An inch-plus of rain due Sunday afternoon and then colder to start the week.
• Obituaries: Jerry Lee Lambert, Deacon John T. Searcy.
• Dining: Public Health restaurant inspection scores, Tuesday-Saturday.
• Crimewatch brought to you by Big Dan's Car Wash. Updates on arrests.

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Truett's Chick-fil-A Sports Report

• Georgia vs. Alabama, national championship, 8 p.m. Monday, ESPN.
• More pregame for Georgia vs. Alabama including a friendly face in Indy.
• Falcons vs. Saints, 4:25 this afternoon, Fox 5, 92.9 FM and Le Mejor. Season finale.
• Community sports updates.

 

Area schools report almost 400 student, staff cases in first week. 96 virus patients in Rome hospitals. Business updates. Warmer, wetter weekend.

Today's first headlines:

• COVID on campus: Almost 400 student, staff COVID cases after the first week of classes (some reports pending). 5 of 8 Rome Schools in phase 2 protocols. Berry cases climb; most students back this weekend.
• 96 virus patients in Rome hospitals Friday, up 6. State records 21,233 new cases since Thursday; no county-by-county reports again Friday. Voccio: Omicron is the dominant variant here; hospitals seeing surge in patients.
• Business: Final First National Community Bank signs up on former Heritage First offices. The Development Authority of Floyd County meets Wednesday.
• Education: Georgia Northwestern Technical College Foundation awards scholarships to 34 students for the 2022 spring semester.
• Ware Mechanical Weather Center: Sunny and low 50s today and then another rain/colder air cycle begins Sunday.
• Obituaries: Earl Graeff Barton Jr., Ava Mae Freeman, Curtis E. Hoover, Barbara June McElyea, Sherry Alene Matthews Willerson.
• Dining: Public Health restaurant inspection scores, Tuesday-Saturday.
• Crimewatch brought to you by Big Dan's Car Wash. Updates on arrests.

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Truett's Chick-fil-A Sports Report

• Georgia vs. Alabama, national championship, 8 p.m. Monday, ESPN.
• Falcons vs. Saints, 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Fox 5, 92.9 FM and Le Mejor. Season finale.
• Berry women's basketball game canceled as Hendrix team enters protocol.
• Community sports includes tennis tournament at month's end.