COMMERCIAL:

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, March 2nd, and happy 61st birthday to singer Bon Jovi.

***03.02.24 – BIRTHDAY – BON JOVI***

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Northwest Georgia is talking about presented by Drake Realty.

1. East Rome Man Charged With Assault On 65-Year-Old Woman
2. Rome High School Student Charged With Sexual Battery
3. Summerville Man Gets 15 Years for Meth Trafficking

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!

Commercial: DRAKE

STORY 1: East Rome Man Charged With Assault On 65-Year-Old Woman

23-year-old Daniel Luis Jackson III from East Rome is facing felony aggravated assault charges after allegedly assaulting a 65-year-old woman. Reports state that Jackson "took the victim to the floor and wrapped the victim's own arm around her neck." As of Thursday morning, Jackson remained in Floyd County Jail without bond.

STORY 2: Rome High School Student Charged With Sexual Battery

Jorge Luis Domingo-Utuc, a 17-year-old student at Rome High School, is facing misdemeanor sexual battery charges after allegedly walking up behind a girl and rubbing her buttocks without her consent. According to Floyd County Jail reports, Domingo-Utuc was arrested and charged with sexual battery.

STORY 3: Summerville Man Gets 15 Years for Meth Trafficking

Brice Restan Ware, a 43-year-old Summerville man, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for meth trafficking following a two-day trial in Chattooga County. The jury deliberated for less than 20 minutes before finding him guilty of trafficking methamphetamine and possession of meth with intent to distribute. Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force Agent Chris Wooten testified that during a traffic stop in Trion, individuals admitted to using a controlled substance purchased from Ware. A search of Ware's bedroom uncovered 40 baggies of meth totaling over 60 grams. Another person in the home had 4 additional baggies of meth, stating Ware had given them to her to sell. District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller led the prosecution, praising the efforts of law enforcement, particularly the Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force, in combatting methamphetamine's destructive impact on the community.

We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.

Back in a moment

Commercial:  CURIOSITY LAB BIKE RACE

STORY 4: What’s Next After Massive Cedartown Fire?

A fire tore through the former Jockey manufacturing plant in Cedartown, leaving the more than 100-year-old building mostly destroyed. Firefighters battled the intense blaze for nearly 22 hours, using over a million gallons of water and assistance from multiple agencies. The cause of the fire remains unknown as state investigators couldn't access the scene until Friday due to extreme heat. The building, once a manufacturing facility, had recently housed an indoor antique flea market. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries, and surrounding roads were closed indefinitely for assessment and repair due to heat damage. The building's historical significance dates back to the late 19th century, serving as part of the Cedartown Yarn Mills complex.

STORY 5: Murder of Nursing Student Prompts Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants

Georgia lawmakers are poised to pass legislation targeting illegal immigration, spurred by the arrest of a Venezuelan man unlawfully present in the U.S. for the murder of an Augusta University nursing student. House Bill 1105, championed by Rep. Jesse Petrea, aims to reinforce existing laws against sanctuary cities, requiring local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Urgency for action heightened after the arrest of Jose Ibarra for Laken Riley's murder. The bill seeks to mandate rather than encourage cooperation and threatens funding withdrawal for non-compliant agencies. Petrea emphasizes the importance of enforcing existing laws uniformly across the state.

Back in just a moment

Commercial: CHERRY BLOSSOM

STORY 6: City of Calhoun Adopts Hazardous Materials Ordinance Updates

The City of Calhoun has recently updated its Fire Protection and Prevention ordinance, mirroring changes made by the Gordon County Board of Commissioners. The revisions focus on the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials, with penalties for violations and establishment of permit fees. Originally planned updates regarding toxic PFAS substances were deferred for inclusion in a future utilities ordinance. The council unanimously approved the changes after a public hearing. Additionally, two members were re-appointed to the Calhoun Housing Authority. Various city-owned equipment was declared surplus for auction. The next council meeting is scheduled for March 11, open to the public at the Depot on South King Street.

STORY 7: Body Of Man Found Near Railroad Tracks In West Rome Sent To Crime Lab

The body of a Hispanic man, aged between 25 and 30, was found on railroad tracks in West Rome. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and had sustained injuries, although no trains reported striking anyone. His identity remains unknown, and the body has been sent to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation by authorities, led by Floyd County Coroner Gene Proctor and Deputy Coroner John Hamilton.

We’ll have closing comments after this.

COMMERCIAL: INGLES 9

Sign off--

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.

Giving you important information about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Produced by the BG Podcast Network

Show Sponsors:

• ingles-markets.com
• drakerealty.com
• cherryblossom.com
• henrycountysheriffga.gov
• peachtreecornersga.gov/385/Curiosity-Lab-Criterium-2024

#NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations