Georgia gas prices drop 14 cents
August 8, 2022–10:30 a.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices are down another 14 cents. Drivers are now paying an average price of $3.63 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is also 63 cents less than last month. According to Montrae Waiters with AAA, crude prices fell last week as market concerns about weakening demand and an…
Dr. Voccio gives COVID-19, vaccine updates
August 8, 2022–10:25 a.m. STAFF REPORTS Hospitals are seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, accounting for 10% of current hospitalizations. Dr. Gary Voccio, health director for the Northwest Health District, did have some encouraging news about the BA 5 variant. “It appears as though the vaccine, at least in one medical report, does demonstrate that…
Georgia DOT awards contracts for Chattooga, Polk projects
August 7, 2022–7:47 p.m. GEORGIA DOT A bridge construction project in Chattooga County and a repaving project in Polk County are among the $199 million in construction contracts awarded by the Georgia Department of Transportation in June. The DOT awarded a contract of nearly $5 million to C.W. Matthews for the construction of a bridge…
DPH debuts kiosks for COVID-19 PCR testing
August 4, 2022–4:03 p.m. NEWS RELEASE The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is offering COVID-19 PCR testing at kiosks placed in communities across Georgia. In most locations, these kiosks offer access to COVID-19 testing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After completing a brief registration form, the kiosks dispense a test kit…
Man charged with murdering missing woman now back in Polk County
August 4, 2022–3:30 p.m. STAFF REPORTS A Rome man charged in the murder of a missing woman has been is now in the Polk County Jail after being transferred from another facility. 30-year-old Joseph Leroy Jones was initially arrested on unrelated charges and was being held in the DeKalb County, Georgia Jail. The Georgia Bureau…
Man arrested following standoff in Cedartown
August 3, 2022–4:42 p.m. POLK COUNTY POLICE On Wednesday at around 1:52 a.m., the Polk County Police were dispatched to 107 Forrest Lane (Rolling Hills Subdivision – Cedartown) in reference to an unknown problem. While en route, patrol officers were updated with information that a man had allegedly pointed a gun at a woman while…
Georgia gas prices down 13 more cents
August 1, 2022–11:00 a.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices continue their downward trend. Georgia drivers are now paying an average price of $3.77 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is 13 cents less than a week ago, 59 cents less than last month, and 81 cents more than this time last year. According to Montrae Waiters with AAA, low…
Mega Millions: $10K, $20K tickets sold in Rockmart, Cartersville
July 31, 2022–7:11 p.m. GEORGIA LOTTERY Although the winning $1.34 billion Mega Millions ticket was sold in the Chicago area, a couple of area residents did have four of the five winning numbers in Friday Night’s drawing. According to the Georgia Lottery, a ticket sold at Yorkville Market on Highway 101 in Rockmart is worth…
New transport offers better service for babies, parents
July 28, 2022–7:25 p.m. NEWS RELEASE More tiny infants who need lifesaving care can now be brought quickly to Floyd Medical Center, thanks to Atrium Health Floyd’snewNeonatal Intensive Care Transport. The specially equipped ambulance is designed for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients. The new vehicle can transport twins or a baby and the mother and additional family…
Gas card campaign raises $10,000 for GNTC students’ transportation expenses
July 27, 2022–6:24 p.m. NEWS RELEASE The Foundation at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) is revved up to help 45 students with transportation costs next semester. The GNTC Foundation sponsored an internal giving campaign June 13-17, with a goal to raise $3,000. The gas card campaign included a match from the foundation and generated $10,000…
Free Clinic of Rome tomato sandwich supper fundraiser August 5
July 26, 2022–6:46 p.m. STAFF REPORTS Lewis Grizzard once said, “It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.” Tickets are on sale now for a popular fundraiser. The Free Clinic of Rome will hold its 9th annual tomato sandwich supper on August 5 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at…
Georgia gas prices down 14 more cents
July 25, 2022–9:00 p.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia has prices are down another 14 cents from last week. Monday’s state average of $3.90 is 52 cents less than last month, but still 94 cents more than this time last year. According to Montrae Waiters with AAA, lower domestic demand for gas and declining crude oil prices continue…
GNTC Foundation receives donation from United Community Bank Foundation
July 19, 2022–11:00 p.m. NEWS RELEASE The United Community Bank (UCB) Foundation is donating $2,500 to Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC). While the donation is the UCB Foundation’s first donation to GNTC, the local bank supports the GNTC Foundation each year from its local budget; this donation is being made “to improve the financial health…
Operation Southern Slowdown starts this week
July 17, 2022–1:12 p.m. CALHOUN POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE Law enforcement officers in Georgia are ready to put the hammer down on drivers who are hammering down on their gas pedal during the fourth annual “Operation Southern Slow Down” speed enforcement operation. After the last 5year’s highly successful operation that drew national attention, Georgia will…
COVID-19 cases up in Northwest Georgia
July 17, 2022–1:05 p.m. STAFF REPORTS COVID-19 cases have slowly been rising in recent weeks. All Northwest Georgia counties, including Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk, and Chattooga, are now considered counties with high transmission indicators. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, high transmission means a county has had more than 100 cases per 100,000…
Blood supplies at critically low levels
July 14, 2022–9:07 a.m. BLOOD ASSURANCE Northwest Georgia’s blood supply is in dire need of replenishment, according to Blood Assurance. On Wednesday, the nonprofit had just 19 units of the universal blood type, O-negative, on its shelves. Blood Assurance likes to have at least 180 units of O-negative available every day to send to local…
Rockmart Police Investigating Residential Fire
July 13th, 2022 – 11:45 AM Rockmart Police Department – The Rockmart Police Department released the following statement on Wednesday: “We are currently investigating a residential fire that occurred at 808 Jones Avenue at/around 4:30 A.M. on July 12, 2022. We are asking for help from anyone in the vicinity of north Jones Avenue or…
Gas prices down 13 cents
July 11, 2022–11:38 a.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices continue their downward trend. Monday’s state average was $4.19 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. That is 13 cents less than a week ago, and 24 cents less than last month. However, it is still $1.26 more than this time last year. According to AAA, a decrease in crude prices…
Fatal motorcycle crash at Highway 101/US 411 interchange
July 9, 2022–12:07 p.m. ROME POLICE/FLOYD COUNTY CORONER A motorcyclist was killed in a crash Friday night in the area of the Ledbetter Interchange. According to Rome Police, the preliminary report indicates the motorcycle ran into the rear of a truck that was making a left turn onto the interchange to US 411. The investigation…
Polk Man wanted for Animal Cruelty & Cruelty to children
July 7th, 2022 – 1:40 PM WRGA Staff Reports – On Thursday afternoon the Polk County Police Department posted an addition to their most wanted list. 35-year-old Andrew P. Compton is wanted for the charges of animal cruelty and cruelty to children. According to Polk Police, Mr. Compton has warrants stemming from an incident where…