Georgia DPH investigating possible vaping-related illnesses
August 24, 2019–12:28 a.m. NEWS RELEASE The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is currently investigating possible cases of severe respiratory illness in individuals who reported vaping. Symptoms, which worsen over time, include cough, shortness of breath fatigue, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Multiple states have reported similar cases requiring hospitalization and patients being…
GHC’s economic impact approaches $180 million
August 21, 2019–7:32 p.m. NEWS RELEASE The University System of Georgia (USG) recently released the USG’s total economic impact on the state of Georgia. Of the more than $17 billion reported by the USG as a whole, Georgia Highlands College’s contribution was nearly $180 million. The USG report is for Fiscal Year 2018 and is…
Arrest and Termination of Bartow County Deputy
August 13, 2019 – 1:59pm BARTOW COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE– A Bartow County Sheriff’s Office deputy involved in an off-duty disturbance has been terminated and arrested. According to Sheriff Clark Millsap, former deputy Brison Strickland, 28, became involved in an off-duty disturbance at his home (a Cartersville apartment complex) on Saturday night. A female contacted Strickland…
Corps. of Engineers investigating reports of harmful algal blooms at Allatoona
August 13, 2019–10:39 a.m. STAFF REPORTS Dog owners in the Southeast are spreading the word about the dangers of contaminated water following the deaths of their beloved pets. In Wilmington, North Carolina, three dogs died after frolicking in a pond, while another succumbed after a swim in Lake Allatoona. The U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers…
Georgia Power, Georgia 811 team up for National 811 Day
August 11, 2019–1:45 a.m. NEWS RELEASE Georgia Power and Georgia 811 have teamed up once again to raise awareness for National 811 Day on August 11 (“8-11”). Employees at Georgia Power’s Customer Care Center received a surprise visit today from Digger Dog, Georgia 811’s mascot, to help them become more familiar with digging notification requirements.…
Floyd expands program to cut down on Urgent Care waiting times
August 7, 2019–8:38 a.m. NEWS RELEASE A service aimed at making visits more convenient has been expanded to include all Floyd Urgent Care locations. Save My Spot, designed to cut down on the time patients have to spend in the waiting room, begin earlier this summer in Rome, Cartersville and Centre, Alabama. The service is…
All ages reminded to get recommended, required immunizations
August 5, 2019–10:14 p.m. NEWS RELEASE August is National Immunization Awareness Month and serves as a reminder that Northwest Georgians of all ages require timely vaccinations to protect their health. “Vaccinations are our best defense against vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Janet Eberhart, immunizations coordinator for the ten-county public health district. “This National Immunization Awareness Month, we…
Georgia pump prices continue to drop
August 5, 2019–7:37 a.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices continue to decline. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $2.57 per gallon for regular unleaded. Monday’s state average is 4 cents less than a week ago, 1 cent less than this time last month, and 20 cents less than this time last year. It now costs $38.55 to fill a 15-gallon tank of gasoline. That is $4.05 less than…
Vice President makes brief stop in Rome Friday
August 3, 2019–11:51 a.m. STAFF REPORTS Vice President Mike Pence visited Georgia Friday and was in Rome at one point. Pence was in Atlanta to address a conservative conference at a Buckhead hotel, and then made a stop in Bartow County. The vice president’s motorcade then rolled into Floyd County and onto the Richard B.…
Man accused of cutting co-worker with a knife
July 30, 2019–7:35 a.m. WBHF RADIO An employee at a Mexican restaurant in Kingston was arrested over the weekend, accused of cutting a co-worker, who also happens to be his stepfather. According to police, Jose Mata accused 20-year old Ricky Rowe of drinking on the job and putting in wrong orders Saturday. The report states…
Georgia pump prices continue to drop
July 29, 2019–6:43 a.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices continue to decline. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $2.61 per gallon for regular unleaded. Monday’s state average is 4 cents less than a week ago, 9 cents more than this time last month, and 11 cents less than this time last year. It now costs $39.15 to fill a 15-gallon tank of gasoline. That is $2.85 less than what motorists…
Students record strongest-ever overall gains on Georgia Milestones assessments
July 28, 2019–4:44 p.m. NEWS RELEASE Georgia students showed strong gains on the spring 2019 Georgia Milestones assessments. Scores increased or held steady on 25 of 26 assessments – the strongest overall gains recorded in the five years the assessment has been administered. The percentage of students reading on grade level or above increased or…
Applications for Bartow Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Law Enforcement Academy now being accepted
July 27, 2019–11:51 p.m. NEWS RELEASE Sheriff Clark Millsap is pleased to announce that the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for the next Citizens’ Law Enforcement Academy. You must be a Bartow County resident and 18 years of age to participate in the program. The 10-week program (which will meet on Tuesday…
Jobless rate ticks up from May to June
July 26, 2019–5:40 a.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Unemployment rates in Northwest Georgia counties increased in June from the month before, according to the Georgia Department of Labor. The jobless rate in Floyd County was 4.1%, up from 3.6% in May. It was 4.7% in June of last year. Bartow County’s rate rose from 3.3%…
Cartersville Police seeking robbery suspects
July 23, 2019–7:33 p.m. CARTERSVILLE POLICE Cartersville Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying three men who reportedly robbed the Chevron at 1401 West Avenue Tuesday. The robbery involved no weapons and occurred at around 3:40 p.m. Police say the men fled the scene in a black Honda Pilot toward Euharlee Road and…
Adairsville Police prevent man from jumping from overpass Sunday
July 23, 2019–7:48 a.m. ADAIRSVILLE POLICE NEWS RELEASE On Sunday at about 10:30 p.m. Adairsville Police Officers responded to a serious call on Highway 140 where it passes over Interstate 75. Officers received information a man was on the ledge of the overpass and looked to be ready to jump off onto I-75. Once arriving on…
Two killed in wreck near the Floyd-Bartow County Line Monday
July 22, 2019–7:21 p.m. GEORGIA STATE PATROL Two people died in a single-vehicle accident Monday afternoon on Highway 411. According to the Georgia State Patrol, 2005 black Jeep Cherokee, was traveling east on in the right lane, approaching Alford Road. The driver of the vehicle entered the left lane and suddenly overcorrected his steering, causing…
Georgia gas prices decrease slightly
July 22, 2019–8:49 a.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices decline at the pump compared to a week ago. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $2.65 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is 2 cents less than a week ago, 2 cents more than this time last month, and 5 cents less than this time last year. It now costs $39.75 to fill…
New look for Georgia Driver’s Licenses
July 22, 2019–8:44 a.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DRIVER’S SERVICES Georgia driver’s licenses have a new design. Features: Polycarbonate Card Body – This card will be a more durable, secure and tamper-resistant card Overlapping – Signatures and Data over the photograph Secure ID Compliant Star – Meets state and federal regulations Laser Engraving – Laser engraving…
Isakson discharged from D.C. hospital
July 21, 2019–12:55 a.m. NEWS RELEASE U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., was discharged today from George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and will enter an inpatient rehabilitation program at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta. Isakson was admitted to George Washington University Hospital on Tuesday, July 16, after falling in his D.C. apartment and suffering…