LOCAL NEWS
Fatal motorcycle wreck Thursday on I-75
Friday, May 24, 2013By: Andrew Carter (WRGA News)
A motorcyclist has died as a result of a single vehicle accident on Interstate 75 in Bartow County.
According to WBHF Radio, the wreck occurred just south of Exit 288 near the Etowah River bridge. The motorcycle was pulling a small trailer when wind shear caused by a passing 18-wheeler sent the motorcycle out of control.
Bartow County Coroner Joel Guyton has identified the victim as 59-year-old Jeff Eberhart of Dallas. He died after being transported via Life Flight helicopter to Grady Hospital. The interstate had to be shut down for a time Thursday afternoon in order for the Life Flight to land, causing significant delays on both the interstate and surrounding surface roads.
No charges are expected to be filed in the accident.
Unemployment Rate Drops in NWGA, Metro Rome in April
Thursday, May 23, 2013By: Kevin Karel (WRGA News)
The Georgia Department of Labor released another round of mostly positive unemployment data for the month of April, this one a breakdown of each county and major metropolitan area in the state.
Here at home in Northwest Georgia the region had an 8.1% unemployment rate in April, down from 8.3% in March and down from 9% in April of last year. The drop was more dramatic in Metro Rome where the rate fell from 8.9% in March to 8.5% in April. Rome had an unemployment rate of nearly 10% in the Spring of 2012, however, the number of jobs in the metro area has not changed in the last year, reflecting a smaller local workforce.
There are some striking differences in the unemployment rates among Northwest Georgia counties, with some such as Bartow, Polk and Paulding significantly lower than many of their neighbors. Paulding leads the way with an unemployment rate of 7.2%, followed by Polk at 7.6% and Bartow at 7.7%. Other parts of the region are much higher such as the still-recovering Metro Dalton-Whitfield County area with an unemployment rate of 10.3%. Gordon has 8.8% unemployment this month while Chattooga is at 9.5%.
Cartersville Woman Jailed on 8 Drug Charges
Wednesday, May 22, 2013By: Kevin Karel (WRGA News)
A Bartow County woman is facing a number of felony drug charges stemming from an investigation on Tuesday night.
Cartersville police responded to a fight shortly before 10 pm in a local neighborhood and were given permission to search a home where they thought one suspect was hiding. Officers found Susan Elizabeth Hammond in her bedroom and claim she was being kept company by a variety of drugs. Police found meth, marijuana and Xanax, as well as a pipe and a baggy containing meth residue. Hammond was arrested and agreed to a urine test at the police station, which allegedly came back positive for five different drugs including cocaine, meth, and opiates.
Hammond is charged with eight drug-related crimes.
Police: Man Beats Mother with Phone, Fists, Plastic Wand
Wednesday, May 22, 2013By: Kevin Karel (WRGA News)
Cartersville police officers jailed a local man early Wednesday morning after they say he beat his mother when she refused to give him money for drugs.
Police reports show Joshua Wilbur Powell, age 25 was taken into custody about 12:30 am Wednesday and charged with Battery. The suspect’s mother and grandmother were found in a back bedroom by officers who said one victim had bruising and swelling all over her face. She told police her son had been drinking heavily and huffing butane and assaulted her when she refused to give him money to buy more butane. The victim said she called 9-1-1 and her son grabbed the phone before punching her in the face multiple times and beating her with the same phone. Powell also allegedly struck his mother with the plastic wand used to adjust the window blinds, which police found bent lying on the floor.
Powell is charged with felony Battery and Hindering a 9-1-1 Call and due to his severe intoxication was taken directly to the Bartow County Jail for processing.
Potential for Severe Weather on Wednesday
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Most NWGA Schools' Graduation Rate Soars Above State Average
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Rome Man Wins 129k in GA Lottery
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Rome Braves Fall to Augusta 7-4 Tuesday
Tuesday, May 21, 2013By: Kevin Karel (WRGA News)
The Augusta GreenJackets defeated the Rome Braves 7-4 in an early game on Tuesday at State Mutual Stadium.
In front of more than 4,000 fans attending ‘Education Day Game’ at the ballpark, Rome fell behind 5-1 in the 5th inning and never fully recovered despite a pair of rallies. Josh Elander had three hits, including a double in the loss as Rome’s record fell to 23-19 on the season.
Rome closes out their seven-game-homestand Wednesday afternoon at State Mutual Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 pm. The Braves are now bound for Asheville to begin a four game series Thursday before returning home to Floyd County for a Memorial Day matchup with Charleston on Monday.
Atheist Group Sends GA DNR Literature
Tuesday, May 21, 2013By: Kevin Karel (WRGA News)
The issue of having Gideon Bibles in Georgia’s state-run cabins and lodgings took another turn in recent days when the prominent secular group ‘American Atheists’ announced they would be sending atheist literature to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to be placed next to the Christian holy books.
The ‘American Atheists’ non-profit group issued a press release on their website Friday saying they were sending enough books to have one in every state-owned facility.
The issue arose last month when a man staying in a cabin complained about the Bible in his room. According to Jim Galloway of the AJC that man was Ed Buckner, former President of ‘American Atheists.’ In response the Georgia DNR removed the Bibles until they could further investigate the matter, but last week Governor Nathan Deal said at a press conference he would order the Gideon Bibles put back in the rooms.
It is The Gideons International group, not the state, which funds the placement of Bibles in the rooms.
Rome River Jam Sees Slightly Smaller Crowd Than Last Year
Monday, May 20, 2013
