AJC, citing divorce records, details Preston Smith affair with Senate staffer. Business: All-Star closes, changing concepts? Consignment shops unite. More heat.

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AJC report: Preston Smith had affair with staffer, another woman:

-With his Republican runoff for attorney general less than two weeks off, the AJC is reporting that Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome, had an affair with a Berry College student who worked on his campaign and his Senate staff, as well as with another woman in 2003-04, citing divorce transcripts. The Atlanta paper says copies of the divorce proceedings have been mailed to media outlets in recent days. Smith finished second in the July 20 GOP primary for attorney general and faces first-place vote-getter Sam Olens in the Aug. 10 runoff. AJC

-Statement from the Smith campaign: "As far too many Georgia families will understand, my failed marriage was a complicated and incredibly difficult personal situation that I still live with every day.  Without a doubt, I fell short in my personal life by getting a divorce, and people have the right to make a moral judgment on that if they chose. However, focusing on the personal lives of the candidates allows Sam Olens to get away with the fact that he is former Democrat Party official that doesn't have it in him to stand up and fight against ObamaCare and illegal immigration."

All-Star Pizza and Subs closes on Redmond Circle, returning as a bar: Last fall, Terry Wanzer opened All-Star in the new strip center off Redmond Circle with seven-day service and "New York-style brick ovens" to create pizzas and subs. Nine months later, the shop is vacant. But on Shorter Avenue, near Big Lots, All-Star Sports Bar went before the Alcohol Control Commission Monday, seeking a permit for beer and liquor. The applicant: Linda Wanzer. Terry Wanzer also had a pouring license for Stroker's Club on Shorter.

Consignment shops now under one roof: The Just Kidn' children's consignment store has opened up shop with Finders Keepers at 1306 Dean Ave. Owner Amanda Brownlow is daughter of Finders Keepers' owner Glenda Price. "It just made since to move in together. We wanted to keep it all in the family," Brownlow says. Just Kidn' accepts clothing, shoes, accessories and baby equipment for consignment. They will begin taking fall items in mid-August. Just Kidn' and Finders Keepers are open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 706-234-1143. (By Natalie Simms)

Southeastern Mills executive is guest at Friday's Exchange Club meeting: On tap for the noon meeting the Palladium is George Manak, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Southeastern Mills. The Rome company has been in the headlines recently with recent acquisitions, including Superior Quality Foods, as well as the retrofit planend for the former beer distributorship at 333 Old Lindale Road. The $14.9 million project will add 25 jobs by 2013. SE Mills

WBHF/Closer look at Renasant Bank's plans for Crescent operations:  Cartersville's AM 1450 AM WBHF is doing a series of updates on changes at the former Crescent Bank & Trust in the wake of last week's closing and assumption by Mississippi's Renasant Bank group. Most employees will be retained and Crescent's former loan operation has been revived, the latest report shows. Crescant had three branches in Bartow County, all of which reopened under the Renasant name. Click WBHF

Rome doesn't make final three in Best Tennis Town (Atlanta, Charleston, Richmond) but gets $2,000 as a top 10 finalist. The $100,000 winner to be announced in September. Says Jim O'Hara, president of the Coosa Valley Tennis Association: " ... we're still a Top 10 town/city and that in itself is an honor. The publicity Rome has received in the past two weeks is priceless and I know in my heart that our passion for tennis is No. 1!" O'Hara praised CVTA board member Mike Burnes' work in submitting the nomination and Blake LeGate of Berry College, who put together the video accompanying the online voting. Vote

Aug. 2-6/Advance voting set for primary runoff. You can vote at the elections office or the civic center from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Runoff ballot.

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Your latest forecast:

-Thursday: High of 96, low of 72. 50% rain chance. Heat index of 101.

-Friday: High of 98, low of 72. 20% rain chance. Heat index of 103.

-Weekend preview: Even hotter. 99 Saturday and Sunday.

-Forecast: Click  / Regional animated radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey 

-Stock up on your Jockey underwear because it's sure to be a hot commodity soon.

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-The Braves were off Wednesday; play in Asheville starting tonight.

-Mills Fitzner's latest home game photos. (Click)