Friday's updates

Please click http://www.hometownheadlines.com

Banking

-Surprising changes at River City Bank--Wilson out, Smith up: Tuesday night should have been a time for celebrating by Eddie Wilson. The CEO of River City Bank had chaired the Rome/Floyd Citizens for Progress committee that championed the $42.3 million SPLOST project. It passed by 169 votes. By Wednesday, Wilson (right) was out of his day job. The media release says Wilson -- who helped guide the bank opened in May 2006 from a double wide on the former Rome Feed & Seed site to more than $125 million in deposits as of June 30 -- resigned. Roger F. Smith has been named chief executive officer of the bank and RCB Financial Corp. News of Wilson's departure spread quickly among the banking community Wednesday and Thursday, shocking colleagues who uniformly praised Wilson as both a solid banker and community leader. His previous stops include SunTrust and Synovus' Georgia Bank & Trust in Calhoun> RCB

-AJC: Unity National, NorthSide Bank on latest 'Texas Ratio' list> Texas

Mohawk names Wellborn president, COO: Calhoun-based Mohawk Industries Inc. hasnamed W. Christopher Wellborn to president and chief operating officer. He had served as COO since 2005 (he is not a member of the Riverside auto/Welborn family)> Details

Media

-Beware the 'Brett Favre Syndrome?' We're hearing interesting comments on Doug Walker's decision to join the Rome News-Tribune after 25 years with WRGA 1470 AM and sister stations. The move is seen as a strategic one, importing one of the community's best reporters. For Walker, it means more pay, benefits and better hours. Or, for RNT, is it a circle-the-wagons attempt to recover an ever-elusive share of a diversifying media market? Walker solidifies the cops/courts and meeting-friendly feel of the paper. He brings another layer of sources as well as the ability to report on real deadline. But will he be a rainmaker, boosting sagging circulation or the Web site? Or will his WRGA listeners see it as a Brett Favre/Green Bay Packers to Minnesota Vikings deal? Walker will be saluted on today's edition of Talk of the Town with Nelle Reagan from 9 to 10 a.m. on WRGA 1470 AM.

-Facebook salutations: On Facebook this morning, Walker wrote this to several hundred friends: "I have such mixed feelings today....to all those who have gotten up with me for the better part of 25 years...I shall miss you greatly. You were the reason for me doing (what) I do (did). . without you, there was no need for me. Now, on to a new chapter, an exciting chapter where I will have a chance to go into much more depth on issues. THANK YOU !"

Frost advisory until 9 this morning for much of Northwest Georgia> Details

Dining & Drink

Bella Roma Grill continues upgrades; opening on target for December

-With better weather the past week, the upgrades to the new Bella Roma Grill site are picking up. In addition to structure work, landscaping is continuing with loads of sod already on site. Look for concrete for the parking areas to be poured on Friday as well.

-Owner Eddie Hasko says a December opening is still on schedule. Hasko's work on the one-time Hooter's site is wholly independent of the whatever plans Doc Kibler and Dee Yaney have for the Rome Boulevard project surrounding State Mutual Stadium. Hasko, meanwhile, will keep his popular Bella Roma restaurant on U.S. 27 in Armuchee. For more on the original restaurant, click Bella Roma

-Latest restaurant health inspection scores. Click Dining Guide

-What's ahead at North Georgia's wineries on this fall weekend> News Vine

Friday's Buzz:

-Nov. 24/Oak Hill Symphony Orchestra presents holiday concert: The Oak Hill Symphony Orchestra will perform a holiday concert on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 7:30 p.m.  The concert will be in the Ford Auditorium on the Berry College campus and will feature a night of tangos, waltzes and popular music.  The orchestra is directed by Norman Bernal and Mirna Ogrizovic-Ciric.  Admission is free.

-Last day: The Junior Service League of Rome's annual poinsettia sale is under way through Nov. 6. Red, pink and while poinsettias are available in three sizes. Proceeds go to providing school supplies to area children. For more, go to www.jslofrome.com or become a fan of our Facebook page at http://tiny.cc/30l14.

. 

Your latest forecast:
-Friday: Frosty start, then sunny; high of 67, low of 36.

-Saturday: Sunny, high of 70, low of 38.

-Sunday: Even nicer, high of 73, low of 44.

-Latest weather: Extended forecast /  Local radar / Regional radar

John McClellan's football picks> Football Report
-Armuchee, Darlington in playoffs; Pepperell, Calhoun, Cartersville, Chattooga all look for wins.

-Get your scores tonight from www.ga.prepcountry.com

Georgia High School Football Daily: End of Rome's streak> Details

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable>Arey

-An upset in Athens? 'Bama is on cruise control; Tech cements first place in ACC.

Shorter: At Belhaven (Jackson, Miss!) 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday > Click

-Shorter-Bethel College game moved to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Barron Stadium> Details

Upcoming events at Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Braves' first Celebrity Shootout with Rocket Wheeler, Frog Smith.

-First annual Wing Ding due Nov. 21.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

Downtown Headlines> Click

-What's ahead in downtown Rome: Chamber expo Friday, Saturday.

-MullinsMania: Entertainment updates for downtown Rome from Bryan Mullins.