Thursday's updates

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

SOHO closing at Riverbend in late March: The second shot at SOHO, the small/home office business, at Riverbend Center will close in late March. Franchise owner Tom McNally says the numbers were far better since he took over last April but the volume still can't justify the rent and other expenses. He plans to work with Tiger Flight, his other Rome venture. For Riverbend, it is the third closing announcement in recent weeks. Chico's is leaving as is the Hallmark shop, both near Kroger.

Down South Country Cooking adds breakfast service: The popular family restaurant at 1818 Redmond Circle has added breakfast service between 7 and 10 each weekday morning. Biscuits sell for $1.35 to $2.25 and breakfast plates are $2.25 to $4,75. Down South opened soon after Backyard Barbecue moved to Armuchee Village--and subsequently closed a few months later.

-Later today: Latest public health restaurant inspection scores> Dining

AJC/Northwest Georgia man injured in Penske shooting listed as critical: Joshua Holbrook, a former Rome resident who moved to Cartersville last year, lost his brother-in-law in the Cobb County tragedy> AJC

Thursday's Buzz:

-Cartersville social media expert Carol Flammer authors 'Social Media for Home Builders: It's Easier Than You Think': Just-released book shares tips on how homebuilders can use Twitter, Facebook and other social media to build their brand and customer base> Details / About the author> Click

-Rockmart's Holly Hardin gets her Idol shot--after judges take some shots at her guitar costume> Click AJC

-Watch today's live Web cast from Shorter: new wrestling coach> Hawks

-Red Cross offers ways to help Haitian earthquake victims, survivors> RC

-Smith introduces Volunteer Emergency Assistance Bill> Senate

-Beginners school for small farmers set for Feb. 3> Click

Latest weather: Soggy weekend ahead

-Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
-Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21.
-Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
-Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.
-Saturday: Cloudy, high near 54,gusts to 15 mph. Chance of rain: 60%.
-Saturday night: Rain. Low around 44. Chance of rain: 90%.
-Sunday: 30 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 50.
-Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

-Extended forecast> Click  / Regional radar

Tweet of the day:

-"Over $1 million has been raised for Haiti through text message donations - http://bit.ly/4ARKAs" (Tweet from Mashable> click)

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Kiffin's exit isn't about loyalty, character or building something. He's a taker, not a giver.

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia> Click

-Last call for 'Church in a Bar.' New venue almost ready.

-Zaxby's wasting no time in refit of Pizza Hut site.

-Legislators assemble! Lawmakers: jobs, budget top priorities in 2010.

-Year-ending campaign finance updates on senators, representatives.

-Politics: January blitz for statewide candidates visiting NW Georgia.

-Bands band together to raise money for RACA Jan. 21 at 333 on Broad.

-Peaks & Valleys: Snow day = play day. Plus: Water talks need sunshine.

Dining Guide> Click

-Latest restaurant public health inspection scores for Northwest Georgia

Wine News Vine> Click

-'Wine Rescue Squad' adds to great holiday visit to Crane Creek, Young Harris, Ga.; upcoming N. Georgia events.

Downtown Headlines> Downtown
-What's ahead in downtown Rome this month.

-Plus: Bryan Mullins' MullinsMania downtown entertainment report