November 29th Podcast
Welcome to your Paulding County News Podcast. I’m Melissa Carter, along with Doug Harding. Tense moments unfold on a flight bound for Atlanta, details on a disturbing incident. And a Dallas man, wanted for homicide, is caught in another state. But first…
PC News
Former President Jimmy Carter honored his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, at a national tribute service in Atlanta yesterday.
Mrs. Carter, the lifelong companion of the 39th President, passed away at 96 on Nov. 19 after 77 years of marriage.
The invite-only event at Glenn Memorial Church boasted a high-profile guest list, including President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff.
Dignitaries like Former President Bill Clinton, Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and local figures Governor Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens paid their respects.
Her funeral will take place in Plains today.
This from 11 Alive.
PC News
Authorities in Tennessee successfully apprehended a suspect from Dallas.
Loudon County Sheriff's Office employed a combination of phone ping and FLOC camera techniques to track down Brandon Howard to the 300 block of Get Good Hollow Road in Loudon.
Swift action by SWAT and Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers resulted in Howard's capture after a brief chase.
The 37-year-old suspect, wanted in Dallas for homicide, is now held at the Loudon County Detention Center awaiting extradition.
This from the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office.
PC News
In a move to tackle the potential winter surge, the U.S. government is making it easier for Americans to access COVID-19 tests from the comfort of their homes.
Those who missed the September distribution can order up to eight free at-home virus tests at COVIDtests.gov. The U.S. Postal Service will deliver them at no cost.
The distribution coincides with the onset of flu season and reports of increased RSV cases in various regions.
Though COVID-19 hospitalizations saw a recent rise, overall numbers have stabilized, thanks to vaccinations and previous infections.
The release also precedes the first winter without mandatory insurance coverage for at-home tests, which now average $11.
This from 11 Alive.
Coming up: A Georgia woman's search for her missing vacuum goes viral, and later, why law enforcement is sounding the alarm for iPhone users - regarding a hidden feature stealing your information. But now let’s check the weather for Paulding County…
Weather
Warmer temperatures the remainder of the week, with High’s reaching around 60 and the Low tonight in the 30’s, 40’s Thursday and 50’s on Friday. Rain expected this weekend.
Arrest Report
In a bizarre turn of events, a passenger jumped out of the emergency exit on a Southwest Airlines flight, headed to Atlanta from Louisiana.
The incident occurred during boarding, with the plane still on the ground.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office apprehended the incoherent passenger on the tarmac, attributing the act to a potential mental health emergency.
No criminal charges have been filed, and federal authorities are investigating.
Southwest Airlines apologized for the inconvenience, and the canceled flight has left passengers reeling.
Monique Pellant said: Hopefully they end up on a permanent no fly list ... there is no hope for stupidity.
Cathy Anderson commented: Scary behavior, glad the plane wasn’t in the air.
Tarmon Selling offered: I believe I can fly.
Lin Bayer said: WTF … the zoo that flies on SW.
Social Media
From WSB’s Facebook Page:
In a recent update, Apple's iOS 17.1 introduces the 'NameDrop' feature, enabling iPhone users to quickly share contacts with nearby devices.
However, Georgia authorities issue a warning, cautioning users about inadvertent information sharing with strangers.
Police emphasize that this feature activates automatically upon updating.
To disable NameDrop, users are advised to navigate to Settings, General, AirDrop, and toggle 'Bringing Devices Together' to off.
Keeshia Smith says: This is nothing new. There’s been an app for this for over a decade. They’ve got yaw scared to breathe.
Krystal Antkowiak offered: Both people have to accept to share when both phones are held super close like they are about to kiss.
Billy Coulter responded: You can set it to contacts only also.
Jay Black said: See, this is the reason I will be Android for life.
Weird Story
A woman in Cobb County has gone viral , after she captured her Roomba's daring escape on camera.
Shelley Betz's robot vacuum, missing for two days, was caught rolling away from her home on doorbell footage.
Betz explained on TikTok that the front door was open while they decorated for Christmas, prompting the Roomba's breakout.
The video, featuring the 'Little Roomba That Could,' has amassed over 28 million views on TikTok, set to George Michael's 'Freedom! '90.'
Unfortunately, the escape left the Roomba without padding and brushes
This from WSB.
Events
(Interview)
State News
If I asked you where the deadliest road in the United States was, would you have answered Georgia?
It’s true. Interstate 16 - between Macon and Savannah - has been deemed the deadliest road in the country, with a fatality rate of 23.2 per 100 miles.
Spanning 166 miles, factors contributing to I-16’s alarming rate include design challenges, driver behaviors like speeding and impairment, and adverse environmental conditions.
So if you have to travel this stretch of road during the holidays, make sure you take special care.
This from the Newton County News.
PC News
Georgia roadways are becoming a battleground: holiday deliveries vs. law enforcement vigilance.
Officers from the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s Motor Carrier Compliance Division are on the lookout for overloaded trucks.
One officer recently flagged a truck carrying heavy stone, exceeding the legal limit by more than 8,000 pounds.
This year, citations have been issued for trucks up to 12,000 pounds overweight, with one incident damaging the Mt. Vernon Highway bridge.
However, challenges persist as officers are stretched thin.
Advocates argue heavier trucks streamline logistics, but opponents stress road damage and safety concerns.
This from 11 Alive.
Sports
From the Paulding Sports Chronicle:
In Round 3 - of high school football tournament action over the weekend - winners in the region include:
Douglas Co
Cartersville
Coffee Co
Starrs' Mill
Bowdon
Rome
Walton
Rockmart
In basketball, North Paulding Girls lost to Buford, while Hiram Girls defeated Drew Charter.
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