Tuesday's updates

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Business

Peebles department store coming to Calhoun: The former Goody's location on Ga. 53 in Calhoun will soon be home to Peebles, part of a group of 735-plus stores in 38 states, including Bealls, Palais Royal and Stage. Signs announcing the new store already are up in Calhoun. A tentative opening date is listed as September but could change. No word yet on hiring. About Stage Stores: Stage reported May sales were down 4.7 percent, or from $122.6 million in May 2008 to $116.8 million two months ago. Performance of stores in the southeast were judged to be "weakest," the May release stated. What categories sold the best: accessories, cosmetics, dresses, intimates, men's, misses sportswear, petites and plus sizes. Goody's closed stores in Calhoun, Rome and Cartersville earlier this year as part of a national shutdown. We've heard of no reports of Peebles coming to Rome or Cartersville. A check on the Web shows several instances where the Peebles/Stage has opened or will open in former Goody's locations. The nearest Peebles to Northwest Georgia is in LaFayette.

Down South Country Cooking opens on Redmond Circle: Fans of Pick o Deli on Rome's east side will find a similar restaurant now serving seven days a week. Down South Country Cooking has opened at 1818 Redmond Circle in the former home of Backyard Barbecue. Terri and Don Echols are serving lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday-Friday; from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Sunday. Terri Echols says fried chicken, chicken fried steak and chicken fingers are served daily as well as rotating entrees. Also on the menu: assort vegetables with "everything made from scratch," she says. Entrees are $3.25 each; veggies are $1.50. Desserts and drinks also are available. Phone: 706-295-4525. (Backyard is now part of Armuchee Village).

Chamber's Business Expo 2009 details on posted: The annual after hours event is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, with the expo itself from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at The Forum> Details

Politics

First-half campaign finance reports trickling in

Incumbent/Party	Cash on hand	'10 status	Read latest files
Sen. Preston Smith, R	$87,655	Running	Smith
Rep. Rick Crawford, D	Report pending	Running	Crawford
Rep. Katie Dempsey, R	Report pending	Running	Dempsey
Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R	Report pending	Running	Loudermilk
Rep. Barbara Massey Reece, D	$7,360	Running	Reece
Sen. Bill Heath, R	Report pending	Running	Heath

Source: State Ethics Commission

With time running out to file, several local political incumbents have yet to file midyear campaign finance reports. As of late Monday, Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome, was among a handful of local legislators to file.  Smith reported near $88,000 in his campaign account for a new term in 2010. Smith's District 52 covers Floyd and parts of Bartow and Gordon counties. State Rep. Barbara Massey Reece, whose House district includes Chattooga and Floyd counties, reported $7,360 in the bank.

Media

Talk about a 'cover' story: The July issue of V3 is due later this week and the cover story catches us up on Season 3 American Idol contestant Lisa Wilson of Rome who also was 2006's Miss Georgia USA. The cover photo alone should spark a few conversations. Look for the online edition at www.v3mag.com or preview the teaser on Facebook by clicking here.

And in your spare time on the Web . . .: Yet another new Web site is up and running in Rome/Floyd County: www.romegaliving.com.

Military

Update on services for Marine Lance Cpl. Seth Sharp: The 20-year-old Marine's body will return to Adairsville on Thursday. Arrangements are being handled by R. Dudley Barton & Son Funeral Home. Calling hours are from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at NorthPointe Church in Adairsville. Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Saturday at NorthPointe. Click Church

-The official word: "The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lance Cpl. Charles S. Sharp, 20, of Adairsville, Ga., died July 2 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C."> Details

Buzz

Red Cross rummage sale set for July 25: The American Red Cross will hold a rummage sale on Saturday, July 25, at the Goodyear Clubhouse (off Cassville Road, Cartersville) between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Donations may be dropped off on Thursday, the 23rd, or Friday, the 24th, between 4 and 6 p.m. (or call for special times).Limited indoor spaces are available for individuals. Call the Red Cross office for more information at 770-382-0981 and ask for Karon.

-PHS student Tyler Manor places at FBLA leadership conference> click

-Coosa High's TSA students join Reece, Perdue at signing> click

Weather:

-Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high of 88, low of 66. 20% rain chance.
-Wednesday:  High of 89, low of 66. Rain chance: 20%

-Extended forecast> Weather

-Latest local Radar / Latest regional Radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable

-What's the problem with Charlie Strong? Braves' rumors are all over the place.

Rome Braves updates: 

-Legends edge Rome, 2-1.
-Tonight: Braves at Lexington. Next up: At Greenville.

-Latest Mills Fitzner game photos> Gallery