1.64 inches of rain; more on the way; flood watch canceled

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

Weekend washout? Rain to continue through Monday

-1.64 inches of rain in Rome and 3.63 inches in Cartersville have rivers high but the flood watch for our area is canceled. The Oostanaula in Rome was at 15.48 feet this morning (right) with a crest of 17.2 feet expected this afternoon (flood stage is 25 feet). What's next? More rain today; rain and storms possible Friday.

-Thursday: 100% chance of rain; high of 63.
-Thursday night: 20% rain chance, low around 52.

-Friday: 80% chance of rain, high of 61.

-Friday night: 40% rain chance, low of 44.

-Saturday: Low 60s; 40% chance of rain; Sunday, 20%.
-Extended forecast> Click  / Regional radar

Rome's jobless rate: 12 straight months of 10% or higher; more to come?

Georgia Department of Labor

It is a trend we could do without. The jobless rate for Rome/Floyd County has been

10 percent or higher now since February 2009. In January 2009, the total was 9.3 percent and it has risen above 10 percent each month since. The jobless rate for January 2010: 10.9 percent. The peak last year: 11.4 percent in June.

-The big question: What impact will the labor market see when CCH Small Firm Solutions makes the move to new offices on Kennesaw? How many of those 380 workers will opt to stay in Floyd come summer and not move or make the commute to the new combined office site?

-The county-by-county employment reports for January> Business

Highlands goes on the offensive to tackle budget cut rumors: The Web home of Georgia Highlands College is headlined "Facts and Rumors," and it swats down some pretty outlandish "rumors" floating since massive budget cuts were proposed. The college's Twitter page is helping link students and others to the 'facts.'> GH

Thursday's Buzz

-Honoring the Rev. Warren Jones: Rep. Barbara Massey Reece welcomed the Rev. Warren L. Jones of Rome (wearing that red-and-black tie) to the House Monday as he was recognized for his many accomplishments. Jones, third from the left, is joined by Massey, to his right; House Speaker David Ralston, far right; his daughter, Jan Ferguson, over his right shoulder, Ann Culpepper, Greater Rome CVB; Debbie Studdard, Area Agency on Aging; Jones' son J. Michael Jones; Pat Millican, Rome Library, state representatives Barry Loudermilk, Rick Crawford (red tie) and Katie Dempsey> click

-The Georgia House passed HB 1085 by a 150-3 vote; it is aimed at easing the transition for children entering and leaving foster care and was introduced by Rep. Katie Dempsey> Click

-Heyman HospiceCare hosts cancer, end-of-life care panel March 24> H

-March 12/Exchange Club to honor STAR students and teachers; noon, at the Palladium on the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds.

-Lady Hawks in NAIA National Championship basketball tourney> Hawks

-CRBI sets spring paddles, March 20 and March 27. (Click dates for details)

-Free training clinics Friday, Saturday; triathlete Felipe Basto headlines Q & A set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at Cycle Therapy> Facebook

PowerBall jackpot jumps to $200 million Saturday> Lottery

-Wednesday's numbers: 17-21-37-51-50 and PowerBall 1.

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Notre Dame admits that there are scenarios that would force it to join a conference.

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Rome Braves' single-game tickets go on sale Saturday, March 20: The box office opens at 10 a.m.; ticket prices remain the same: $10, $8,. $6 and $4> Sports

-Braves announced 2010 promotional schedule.

-Redneck  Rummage Sale at State Mutual Stadium March 20> Click

Saturday's Shorter Hawks-Emmanuel College double header baseball game also is Military Appreciation Day. Events include camouflage uniforms, pre-game ceremony, and Branch of Service Recognition. Game times Saturday are 1 and 3 p.m. For more: Coach Matt Larry at 706-233-7510. Game admission is free  

Shorter Hawks continue spring drills with eye on fall 2010> Football