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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, January 13th, and happy 63rd birthday to actress Julia Louis Dreyfus.
***01.13.24 – BIRTHDAY – JULIA LOUIS DREYFUS***
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: Skydiving fatality reported in Polk County
A man died in a skydiving accident in rural Polk County, Georgia. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. when the man landed in a field off Coaling Road east of Cedartown. Full details were not available, and the man's name was not released pending notification of next of kin. Polk County is home to multiple skydiving facilities, including Skydive Spaceland Atlanta. Authorities did not specify at which facility the incident occurred. The investigation is ongoing, and more details may emerge as information becomes available.
STORY 2: Shots Fired Call Leads to Arrest of Ranger Man
A 61-year-old man, Wayland Owens, was arrested in Ranger, Georgia, following a report of shots fired during a domestic disturbance. Deputies from the Gordon County Sheriff's Office responded to an emergency call on Tuesday morning at a residence off Apple Road in Oakman. Owens was found barricaded inside a room with a handgun. A family member reported that shots had been fired before the deputies arrived. Officers successfully convinced Owens to surrender verbally, and he was arrested. Wayland Owens now faces charges of aggravated assault and reckless conduct. The incident is under investigation.
STORY 3: Gordon County THC Oil Bust Lands Three in Jail on Drug and Weapons Charges
Three Gordon County residents were arrested after a package containing a significant quantity of THC oil was intercepted. The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit initiated an investigation leading to the execution of a search warrant on January 10. Ramon Rayes, 45, Jose Reyes Vasquez, 21, and Mason Khalid Reyes, 18, all from Calhoun, were arrested. Illegally held firearms and evidence of drug distribution were seized during the search. The package is believed to have originated in California. Georgia State Patrol troopers from Post 43 assisted in the operation. The individuals face charges related to drug and weapons offenses.
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Back in a moment
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STORY 4: Two National Restaurant Chains are Coming to Rockmart: Here's What We Know
Rockmart is set to welcome two nationwide restaurant chains, Dunkin' Donuts and LongHorn Steakhouse, at the intersection of U.S. 278 and Ga. 113. The development plans are in the early stages, with the property owner seeking annexation into the city limits and rezoning for commercial use. The proposed site, located on the southeast corner of the intersection, spans nearly four acres. While the exact timeline for construction remains uncertain, a public hearing and vote on annexation and rezoning are scheduled for February 13. The development reflects the city's growing trend of attracting new businesses, following recent openings of Mavis Tires & Brakes and Burger King along the 278 corridor.
STORY 5: Traffic Stop in Gordon County Leads to Large Seizure of Meth
During a recent traffic stop in Gordon County, a deputy seized a significant quantity of drugs after a high-speed pursuit. The vehicle, traveling over 90 miles per hour, was stopped on the South Calhoun Bypass. A subsequent search uncovered several pounds of methamphetamine. The driver, Jonathan Samano, 22, and passenger Lacey Hall, 21, both from Calhoun, were arrested without incident. Both face charges of trafficking in methamphetamine. Samano faces additional charges, including fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, and various drug-related charges. Both remain in Gordon County Jail.
Back in just a moment
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STORY 6: Reported Covid Cases Climb Again Last Week in Northwest Georgia
Reported COVID-19 cases in Northwest Georgia have increased, with 210 new cases reported over the past week. This rise is comparable to the increase observed after Christmas weekend. The breakdown includes 71 cases in Floyd County, 62 in Bartow, 35 in Gordon, 36 in Polk, and five in Chattooga. Polk County's new cases per 100,000 residents were more than double the state average in the last two weeks. Statewide, Georgia reported 3,845 new cases, the highest since just after Labor Day. Nine COVID-19 patients were under care at Atrium Health Floyd in Rome as of Wednesday.
STORY 7: Kemp Endorses School Vouchers Push
Governor Brian Kemp urged Georgia lawmakers to pass a private school vouchers bill during his State of the State address. Kemp emphasized an "all-of-the-above" approach to education, supporting options like public, private, homeschooling, and charter schools. Last year, the Senate passed a bill offering $6,000 scholarships for students in low-performing schools to attend private institutions, but it faced opposition in the House. Democrats resist vouchers, claiming they divert funds from public schools, while some rural Republicans worry about limited private school options in their areas. Kemp also outlined over $2 billion in new spending proposals, addressing tax cuts, pay raises, school safety, and mental health spending.
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