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From the Ingles Studio this is The Northwest Georgia News Podcast from the Rome News Tribune, Calhoun Times, Catoosa Walker News, and Polk County Standard
Today is Saturday, October 7th and happy 61st birthday to musician John Mellencamp.
***John Mellencamp – Hurts so good***
I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Northwest Georgia is talking about presented by Drake Realty.
These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Northwest Georgia News podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!
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STORY 1: Atrium and Harbin Clinic is nearing the finish line amid additional healthcare changes
The Atrium Health Floyd/Harbin Clinic purchase, announced 10 months ago, is nearing its final stages, possibly a few weeks from completion. The official statement indicates that both organizations are actively working toward closing the transaction and express enthusiasm about the opportunities it brings for the community. However, specific details remain undisclosed currently. Unofficially, some healthcare professionals and staff members have left, particularly from breakaway practices like Harbin Clinic's cardiology team and the neurosurgery practice, which have shifted to AdventHealth Redmond. AdventHealth has also made significant investments in the community, including sponsorship deals and land purchases near baseball parks. The Atrium/Harbin deal represents the latest in a series of billion-dollar healthcare mergers and acquisitions in Northwest Georgia in recent years, including changes in ownership for various medical centers and clinics.........…….Get more info at northwestgeorgianews.com
STORY 2: Rockmart Theatre to get facelift thanks to $1 million federal grant
The city of Rockmart has secured a $1 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to support the renovation and upgrading of The Rockmart Theatre, a historic downtown landmark. The project aims to restore the front exterior of the building to its original Art Deco style while incorporating modern elements for improved functionality, accessibility, and safety. The renovation will include improvements to the lobby and life safety systems. The city intends to make the lobby more inviting and functional for various events. Local sources will provide an additional $442,000 in funding, bringing the total project budget to over 1.4 million dollars. The project is expected to stimulate business development in downtown Rockmart and promote the arts community.
STORY 3: GHSA passes NIL plan for high school athletes, restructures playoffs for three classifications
The Georgia High School Association board has unanimously approved allowing high school athletes in Georgia to profit from their name, image, and likeness, aligning with similar rules for college athletes. To maintain amateur status, athletes are restricted from featuring school-related logos, names, uniforms, or trademarks in NIL advertising. They cannot promote products against school district policies, including tobacco, alcohol, or controlled substances. NIL compensation should not depend on athletic performance or enrollment, and students must inform the school of their NIL agreements within seven days.
Additionally, the GHSA Executive Committee has endorsed a proposal to separate private schools in Classes 1A, 2A, and 3A for state playoffs, starting in the 2024-25 school year. Although public and private schools will share regions, private schools in these classes will compete for a single state championship, while public schools will have separate state championships. A power rating system will be used for playoff seeding. In higher classifications (4A, 5A, 6A), private schools will continue to compete with public schools for state titles. The GHSA is also exploring a competitive-balance model based on historical performances.
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STORY 4: Garden Lakes man charged with stalking, possession of synthetic marijuana
A 51-year-old man from Garden Lakes, identified as Christopher Scott Whatley Sr., has been arrested on multiple charges. He is accused of possessing synthetic marijuana, smashing a car window on Maple Avenue, and engaging in criminal trespass. Additionally, Whatley faces misdemeanor stalking charges related to another incident on October 2, where he allegedly followed a victim to her residence without her consent for the purpose of harassment and intimidation. As of Wednesday morning, he remains in Floyd County Jail without bond.
STORY 5: Cave Spring candidate forum set for Oct. 12
A public forum for candidates running for Cave Spring City Council is scheduled to take place in the former elementary school auditorium on Rome Street. Two city council seats are contested in the upcoming November 7 municipal election. The forum, organized by the Cave Spring Downtown Development Authority, will allow voters to get to know all six candidates running for the council seats. Each candidate will have an opportunity to speak and answer pre-submitted questions. The election is nonpartisan, and candidates run citywide. The forum will be held on Thursday, October 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the old Cave Spring Elementary School.
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STORY 7: Dedicated trio from Rockmart help spread message of breast health
Three women from Rockmart, Georgia, are advocating for the importance of annual mammograms after their personal battles with breast cancer. Dianne Hughes, Jan Hughes, and Sharon Crawford are volunteers in the Breast Health Advocate Program at The Breast Center at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center. They educate the community about breast health through self-examinations, mammography, and available resources. All three women have been affected by breast cancer and are passionate about breast health education. They emphasize the significance of annual mammograms in early cancer detection and credit their positive experiences at The Breast Center for their motivation to become advocates.
STORY 8: Cedartown man charged by GBI with impersonating an officer
Matthew Christopher Hearne, a Cedartown man, has been arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer, identity theft, violation of oath by a public officer, and misdemeanor harassing communications. The charges stem from Hearne allegedly posing as the Buchanan police chief and sending harassing messages to his ex-wife. The GBI conducted an investigation following a request from the Polk County Police Department, leading to Hearne's arrest. Notably, Hearne was previously married to Polk County Police Detective Kristen Hearne, who was tragically killed in the line of duty in 2017. He was arrested three days after the sixth anniversary of her death and has been denied bond.
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Thanks again for listening to today’s Northwest Georgia News podcast. For more on these stories and other great content visit northwestgeorgianews.com. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast.
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