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, May 27th, and happy 87th birthday to actor Louis Gossett Jr. ***Colon Highlight*** I’m Brian Giffin and here the top stories Northwest Georgia is talking about  presented by Drake Realty Rockmart man shot in officer-involved shooting by Polk County Police Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic close to finalizing multi-million dollar deal And Judith Ann Neelley denied parole in 1982 slaying Plus, Gary Crawford of the US Department of agriculture talks about some good news regarding food prices Plus Leah McGrath of Ingles Markets joins our own Bruce Jenkins to discuss high grocery prices and a little later we’ll hear from Gary Crawford of the US dept. of Agriculture on that same topic These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Northwest Georgia News podcast Commercial :   Drake STORY 1: Shooting According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), a Rockmart man was shot by a Polk County Police officer after reportedly reaching for a gun during a domestic dispute. Flint Dawson Warren, 63, is in critical condition after being airlifted to a local hospital. The incident occurred on Pleasant Hill Road in Southeast Polk County. Witnesses reported that Warren reached for a gun on his waist, prompting the officer to fire his weapon. No officers were injured during the incident. The GBI has been requested to conduct an independent investigation, and upon completion, the case will be reviewed by the Polk County District Attorney's Office. This is one of three officer-involved shootings the GBI is investigating in Georgia on Wednesday, making it the 41st such case in 2023. The GBI emphasized its commitment to conducting thorough and impartial investigations in these cases. ….stay up to date on this story at northwest Georgia news.com STORY 2: Atrium Negotiations are ongoing between Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic for a potential affiliation, with a final agreement said to be close. The discussions have been underway for almost a year, and both parties remain committed to finalizing the deal. Harbin Clinic is a prominent healthcare provider in Northwest Georgia, with a 150-year legacy of serving the region. The pending affiliation follows a series of healthcare changes in the area, including the sale of Redmond Regional Medical Center and Cartersville Medical Center, as well as the merger of Atrium Health with Advocate Aurora Health. The outcome of the negotiations will shape the healthcare landscape in Northwest Georgia. STORY 3: neeley  Convicted child killer Judith Ann Neelley has been denied parole once again for the murder, rape, and torture of a 13-year-old girl in Rome, Georgia over four decades ago. The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously denied her parole after less than a minute of deliberation. Neelley's case has been highly publicized in Alabama due to the brutality of the crime and her escape from death row through commutation. Despite the parole denial, Neelley will continue to serve her life sentence at Julia Tutwiler Prison. Even if granted parole, she faces a consecutive life sentence in Georgia for a kidnapping case. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey expressed her strong opposition to Neelley's release in a letter to the parole board, stating that mercy for the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.…..we’ll be back in a moment. Commercial:  ESOG 60 Angel Rejoiner STORY 4: survivor Carson Garrett, a 20-year-old student and aspiring NASA engineer, competed in the 44th season of "Survivor" filmed in Fiji a year ago. Despite facing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic during his high school years, Garrett excelled academically and held leadership positions. In the final episode of "Survivor," Garrett won the first immunity challenge, securing a spot in the final four. However, he finished second in the last game and lost a fire-building challenge to Heidi. Ultimately, Yam Yam Arocho, who taught Garrett fire-making skills, emerged as the winner. Garrett supported the finalists and provided analytical insights during the decision-making process. STORY 6: basebasll The Calhoun High School baseball team had a strong showing in the 7-5A All-Region recognition with eight players being honored. Cartersville dominated the first team with five players, while Calhoun had two players named to the first team: graduated senior pitcher Cooper Evans and junior shortstop Andrew Purdy. Four Calhoun players made the second team: junior utility player Ripken West, senior outfielder Cohen Chadwick, junior pitcher Jax Bishop, and sophomore pitcher Spencer Evans. Senior outfielder Isaac Green and senior catcher Luke Sims received honorable mention. Despite a 10-21 record, Calhoun made it to the first round of the GHSA 5A state playoffs. Story 7: Manley Calhoun High School senior Ella Manley won her third consecutive GHSA 5A girls state championship in golf, shooting a 2-under par 146 over two rounds. Manley, who missed the chance to potentially win four consecutive titles due to the COVID-19 pandemic in her freshman year, expressed her happiness and gratitude for the hours of hard work that paid off. She mentioned feeling pressure since her sophomore year and was motivated to finish strong in her final high school round. Manley secured her victory with a strong performance on the back nine, sinking crucial birdie putts. She will continue her golf career on a scholarship at Middle Tennessee State University…..back in a moment Commercial:  Ingles 5 – Omni Wellness Story 8: USDA And now, Gary Crawford of the USDA gives us some good news regarding food prices ***USDA*** We’ll have closing comments after this Henssler 60 Thanks again for listening to today’s Northwest Georgia News podcast.  For more on these stories and other great content visit northwestgeorgianews.com. Giving you important information about your 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. We hope you and yours have a safe, reflective, and happy holiday weekend www.henssler.com www.ingles-markets.com www.drakerealty.com www.esogrepair.com Omni Wellness Studio

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 Wednesday, May 24th, and happy 50th birthday to Bartolo Colon ***Colon Highlight*** I’m Brian Giffin and here the top stories Northwest Georgia is talking about  presented by Drake Realty Heated discussion, accusations fly in Rome commission meeting regarding ethics proceedings Welchel to head leadership development for Floyd County Schools And a Motorcycle driver dies in wreck on Cedartown Bypass Plus, Leah McGrath of Ingles Markets talk with our own Bruce Jenkins about cutting back on sugar Plus Leah McGrath of Ingles Markets joins our own Bruce Jenkins to discuss high grocery prices and a little later we’ll hear from Gary Crawford of the US dept. of Agriculture on that same topic These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Northwest Georgia News podcast Commercial :   Drake STORY 1: Accusations A premeeting caucus among Rome City Commissioners turned heated as longstanding disputes came to the forefront. The discussion focused on an ethics complaint against City Commissioner Mark Cochran. Attorney Chris Balch informed the commissioners that one of them had reached out to a member of the Ethics Investigation Panel, which raised concerns about influencing the proceedings. Balch asked Commissioner Bill Collins to recuse himself, but Collins refused, citing a previous relationship with the panel member. The exchange escalated with accusations and tensions between commissioners. Commissioner Craig McDaniel expressed frustration with attempts to interfere in the ethics process, and Mayor Sundai Stevenson and McDaniel engaged in a contentious exchange. The discussion also touched on a previous commission caucus where some commissioners were absent without explanation….stay up to date on this story at northwest Georgia news.com STORY 2: Welchel Tanya Welchel has been appointed as the new director of leadership development and instructional support for Floyd County Schools, starting on July 1. Superintendent Glenn White made the announcement, highlighting Welchel's extensive 29-year experience in education, including her role as the principal of Johnson Elementary School for the past six years. Welchel holds degrees in Business Administration and Early Childhood Education, as well as a certification in Educational Leadership. She has received accolades for her leadership at Johnson Elementary, including being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. Welchel's expertise and strong leadership skills make her well-suited to support educators and school leaders throughout the district. The school system will begin the process of filling her current position as principal. STORY 3: Crash A fatal accident occurred on the Cedartown Bypass involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck. The driver of the motorcycle succumbed to their injuries and passed away. The Cedartown Police Chief confirmed the fatality but withheld the individual's name until the family could be notified. First responders arrived at the scene, and the southbound lanes were temporarily closed. The Polk County Coroner confirmed the fatality, stating that the victim was a non-resident male. The victim received medical treatment from AdventHealth Redmond EMS but was pronounced dead at Polk Medical Center. One lane in each direction was reopened, and the Georgia State Patrol was called to investigate the accident. No further details or the preliminary report from the GSP were available at the time of the announcement……check for updates on this story at Northwest Georgia News.com…..we’ll be back in a moment. Commercial:  ESOG 60 Angel Rejoiner STORY 4: Appeal A Travis Hare's appeal of his conviction on charges of felonious assault and using weapons while under disability has been rejected by the 11th District Court of Appeals. Hare, who was sentenced to five to six years in prison, filed the appeal claiming that the conviction was against the weight of evidence. The appeals court's opinion stated that Hare was convicted for shooting a person in Ashtabula in July 2020, with a gun recovered from his home and matching shell casings found at the scene. Surveillance footage supported the victim's testimony of a fight and Hare firing shots as the victim fled. The court found that the convictions were justified and upheld the original conviction. STORY 6: Football Head coach Jamie Abrams and the Cedartown Bulldogs had an unusual spring, with their annual Red and White Game serving as only their fourth official spring practice. Delays due to players participating in the state track and field championships and rain showers caused changes to their schedule. Despite the limitations, the team displayed solid effort in the intrasquad scrimmage. The Bulldogs are focused on identifying dependable players who can execute on the field. With 16 graduating seniors, Cedartown will need to fill several positions, but rising juniors like quarterback Drew Ledbetter and players Demarcus Gardner and Tae Harris showcased their skills during the scrimmage. The Red team emerged victorious with a score of 31-11. Story 7: Tennis signings:  Cedartown High School tennis coach Matt Foster expressed his pride and admiration for two of his players, Sam Arnold and Kam Palacios, who recently signed with Gadsden State. The significant turnout at the signing ceremony showcased the strong support base that both seniors have garnered. Foster highlighted their commitment to the sport, emphasizing their dedication to practicing and playing consistently throughout their high school careers. He commended their leadership on and off the court and expressed confidence that Gadsden State is gaining two talented athletes. Both players were instrumental in helping Cedartown's boys' team reach the GHSA Class 4A state playoffs, finishing as the Region 7-4A runner-up. The signing ceremony was attended by Gadsden State men's tennis coach Buster Stewart, as well as the families of the students..…back in a moment Commercial:  Ingles 5 – Omni Wellness Story 7:  Leah And now, Leah McGrath of Ingles Markets talks with our own Bruce Jenkins about cutting back on sugar ***LEAH*** We’ll have closing comments after this Henssler 60 Thanks again for listening to today’s Northwest Georgia News podcast.  For more on these stories and other great content visit northwestgeorgianews.com. Giving you important information about your 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. www.ingles-markets.com www.drakerealty.com www.esogrepair.com www.hensslerkennesaw.com

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, May 20th, and happy 77th birthday to Cher ***Cher*** I’m Brian Giffin and here the top stories Northwest Georgia is talking about  presented by Drake Realty UPDATE: Georgia churches have right to vote on leaving Methodists, Cobb judge rules GBI investigating officer involved shooting in Catoosa County We Care Vets Fair draws crowds to Civic Center And More doctors leave Harbin for AdventHealth Redmond prior to Atrium deal Plus Leah McGrath of Ingles Markets joins our own Bruce Jenkins to discuss high grocery prices and a little later we’ll hear from Gary Crawford of the US dept. of Agriculture on that same topic These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Northwest Georgia News podcast Commercial :   Drake STORY 1: Church A Cobb County judge has ruled that 185 Georgia churches within the United Methodist Church (UMC) must be allowed to vote on leaving the denomination. The decision follows a lawsuit filed by the churches against the North Georgia Conference of the UMC, which had issued a pause in the disaffiliation process. The dispute arises from differences over social issues, such as same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination. The judge's ruling grants an injunction to lift the pause and enable the local churches to vote on disaffiliation. The annual meeting of the North Georgia Conference, where churches' decisions must be ratified, is scheduled for June. The plaintiffs argue that the defendants are intentionally delaying the process. Disaffiliation requires a two-thirds majority vote by individual churches, and the alternative would be paying fair market value to retain their property. STORY 2: GBI The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting an investigation into an incident where a woman in Ringgold was shot by deputies after allegedly threatening her family with a pistol. Jennifer Yates, 40, remains in critical but stable condition. The Catoosa County Sheriff's Office requested the GBI's involvement. Preliminary information suggests that deputies responded to a 911 call reporting Yates' possession of a handgun and her threats to harm her family. When deputies arrived, Yates pointed the handgun at her family in a threatening manner. Despite verbal commands to drop the weapon, Yates refused and advanced towards the deputies, resulting in them firing multiple shots. Yates received medical assistance and was taken to the hospital. The GBI's investigation will be reviewed by the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office upon completion. STORY 3: We Care The We Care Veterans Fair held at the Rome Civic Center was a successful event that brought together hundreds of veterans and their families with vendors and representatives from veterans' service agencies. Organized by United Military Care, the fair aimed to ensure that veterans receive the care and support they need to live their best lives. Many vendors were actively seeking to employ veterans, highlighting the booming business environment in Georgia. WorkSource Vets, a partner organization, helps veterans transition into the civilian workforce. The event was attended by Cave Spring Mayor Rob Ware, a Navy veteran, who emphasized the importance of holding the fair annually and finding a larger venue due to the overwhelming turnout. Commercial:  ESOG 60 STORY 4: Doctors A growing divide within Harbin Clinic has been revealed as two more doctors have left the group to join AdventHealth, adding to the list of physicians making the switch. While cardiology doctors are among those making the move, no definite details were provided about other specialties. AdventHealth announced the opening of Advent Medical Group Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology in July, with its location yet to be confirmed. Harbin Clinic is currently in the process of merging with Atrium Health Floyd. An inconclusive meeting was held to discuss noncompetition agreements and the proposed partnership, while the contract deadline for Harbin employees has been extended. It remains uncertain whether the Federal Trade Commission will investigate the merger, raising questions about the impact on staff and patients. STORY 6: Partnership A partnership between Atrium Health Floyd and Georgia Highlands College aims to expand nursing student positions and increase the number of nurses in Northwest Georgia. The collaboration builds on a long history of cooperation, providing clinical training, scholarships, and career pathways for GHC graduates. The partnership will create a pipeline of highly trained nurses for Atrium Health Floyd and offer more residents the opportunity to pursue nursing careers. Over 85% of GHC graduates start careers in the region, highlighting the impact of the program. The agreement will result in expanded programs, scholarships, faculty positions, and simulation equipment to enhance training opportunities. It aims to address the nursing workforce shortage and benefit the community in the long term. Commercial:  Ingles 5 – Omni Wellness Story 7:  Jobs In April, Floyd County's workforce grew by 5.7% compared to the same month last year, reaching 44,300 employed individuals. However, there were no changes from the previous month. While Floyd County's job growth outpaced the state's average for the year, the county also experienced higher numbers of first-time jobless claims compared to statewide averages. Several counties, including Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk, and Chattooga, reported significant increases in jobless claims compared to March and April 2022. Despite the job market offering opportunities, with 102 openings listed on the Rome-Floyd Chamber site, some challenges remain. The statewide snapshot shows Georgia's April unemployment rate remained at 3.1%, with an increase in jobs and the labor force. Initial jobless claims saw a rise both monthly and yearly. We’ll have closing comments after this Henssler 60 Thanks again for listening to today’s Northwest Georgia News podcast.  For more on these stories and other great content visit northwestgeorgianews.com. Giving you important information about your 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. www.hensslerkennesaw.com www.ingles-markets.com www.drakerealty.com www.esogrepair.com Omni Wellness Studios

From the Ingles Studio this is The Northwest Georgia News Podcast    Today is Wednesday, May 17th, and happy 64th birthday to the great Jim Nantz ***Nantz*** I’m Brian Giffin and here the top stories Northwest Georgia is talking about  presented by Drake Realty Cave Spring seeking 1st city manager; job posting is up for the transformative position Fricks promoted to instructional technology officer for Rome City Schools And Floyd County investigating 2 deaths in separate Saturday wrecks on Alabama Highway Plus Leah McGrath of Ingles Markets joins our own Bruce Jenkins to discuss high grocery prices and a little later we’ll hear from Gary Crawford of the US dept. of Agriculture on that same topic These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Northwest Georgia News podcast Commercial :   Drake STORY 1: Cave Spring Cave Spring is undergoing a significant change by hiring its first full-time city manager. The decision comes as a charter change takes effect on July 1, transferring executive authority from the part-time mayor to a professional administrator. The town's mayor, Rob Ware, expressed the need for a full-time person to effectively manage the city's projects and budgets, which exceed $2.5 million. The city has posted a job description and plans to reach out to potential applicants from both the public and private sectors. Council members will review applications and select the manager, considering relevant experience and qualifications. The mayor, who has been leading the city for nearly 20 years, will continue until the new manager is hired. The goal is to bring new ideas and improvements to the community. STORY 2: Fricks John Fricks, the Associate Principal of Rome High School, has been promoted to the role of Instructional Technology Officer. In this new position, Fricks will be responsible for integrating technology into classrooms and supporting teachers and staff in improving student learning experiences. His promotion comes after successfully implementing technology initiatives at RHS, where he formed a technology team and provided tech instruction to staff. By incorporating technology into his math classroom, Fricks was able to enhance student achievement. Rome City Schools Superintendent, Eric Holland, expressed excitement about Fricks' promotion, highlighting his expertise and contribution to providing a world-class education. The move aligns with the school district's ongoing efforts to modernize instruction through technology integration. Fricks expressed enthusiasm for his new role and the opportunity to work with the team to provide students with an excellent education. STORY 3: Deaths Tragedy struck on Alabama Highway as two separate accidents claimed the lives of two individuals. The first incident occurred around 6 a.m. near Woods Road, where a vehicle pulled out from the Woods Road cutoff and was hit by a truck. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Channing Wallace, sustained fatal injuries in the collision. Later, around 2 p.m., a Dodge pickup veered across the center line, clipped another vehicle, and collided head-on with another pickup. The driver of the Dodge pickup was identified as 50-year-old Trevor Britt from Rome. The Floyd County Police are currently investigating both accidents. Commercial:  We Care Fair – ESOG 60 STORY 4  Leah visit And now Leah McGrath, corporate dietician for Ingles Markets joins our own Bruce Jenkins to talk about high grocery prices: ****Leah**** We’ll have more in a moment Commercial:  Ingles 2 – Omni Wellness STORY 5: Around town: In business comings and goings, The Church's Chicken restaurant in Northwest Georgia, located at 614 Shorter Ave., has closed its doors. The branding was recently removed, leaving only hand-written signs indicating its closure. The closure comes after the Calhoun location shut down in 2015 due to competition and low sales. The West Rome area has been experiencing changes in the restaurant scene, including the opening of Jim 'N Nick's barbecue and Tequila's in a former spot. Meanwhile, the Comfort Suites hotel on Chateau Drive in East Rome has been sold for $4.6 million and will be converted into micro apartments. O'Reilly Auto Parts is also planning a new location on Dean Ave. STORY 6: Baseball From Friday to Monday, the Georgia High School Association baseball championships will be held at AdventHealth Stadium in Rome. The games will take place at 5 p.m. on Friday, with additional games scheduled for noon and 5 p.m. on Saturday. If needed, there will be a game at 7 p.m. on Monday. Tickets for each day cost $15. On Friday, the Class 3A matchup will be between Harlem and Ringgold, followed by another game between the same teams at noon on Saturday if necessary. In the Class 2A category, Mt. Paran will face North Cobb Christian in a doubleheader at 5 p.m. on Saturday, with a potential game on Monday at 7 p.m. if needed. In addition, Darlington will play against Prince Avenue Christian in a best-of-three series to determine the A Division championship. Story 7:  USDA And now, we hear from Gary Crawford from the US Department of Agriculture, more on current food prices: *****USDA piece**** We’ll have closing comments after this Henssler 60 Thanks again for listening to today’s Northwest Georgia News podcast. Giving you important information about your 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. www.hensslerkennesaw.com www.drakerealty.com www.ingles-markets.com www.esogrepair.com www.unitedmilitarycare.org Omni Wellness Studio

From the Ingles Studio this is The Northwest Georgia News Podcast    Today is Saturday, May 13th, and happy 40th birthday to longtime NFL rusher Frank Gore ***Gore Highlight*** I’m Brian Giffin and here the top stories Northwest Georgia is talking about  presented by Drake Realty Cochran seeks to have judge block ethics hearing calling the process 'fatally flawed' West Third 'foundation' well underway. 200 earthmovers clearing way for battery plant. And an Agreement stemming from CRBI lawsuit means Mt. Vernon Mills in Chattooga County to quit using PFAS These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Northwest Georgia News podcast Commercial :   Drake STORY 1: Cochran Rome City Commissioner Mark Cochran has filed a motion seeking a judge's intervention to block an ethics investigation and a public hearing. The hearing scheduled for Tuesday comes after an ethics complaint against Cochran was filed by Rome Human Resources Director Kristy Shepard, who alleges that the commissioner's conduct toward city employees was "uncalled for and unprofessional." Cochran's attorney argues that the proceedings are "unfounded and retaliatory" and lack merit. The motion cites several issues with the process and asks the court to stop the proceedings, which could cause immediate and irreparable harm to Cochran's reputation. STORY 2: River The River District in Rome is seeing a surge of construction activity with the first building permits being issued for the CRE Impact development, which will feature 250,000 square feet of housing and 10,000 square feet of artisan retail space at an estimated cost of $43 million. The development is part of the ongoing redevelopment of the Fifth Avenue/West Third Street/Avenue A quarter, which has seen a number of demolitions and renovations in recent years. The River District is one of two major redevelopment areas in the city, with the other being at the intersection of Martha Berry. STORY 3: PFAS Mount Vernon Mills in Trion has agreed to permanently cease using toxic chemicals that provide protective coatings for its products after being sued by the Coosa River Basin Initiative for violating the Clean Water Act. The mill had been discharging per- and polyfluorinated substances to the city of Trion’s wastewater treatment plant, which then flowed into the Chattooga River. Mount Vernon has agreed to divert its internal waste for offsite treatment rather than sending it through the city’s treatment plant. PFAS, a class of synthetic chemicals known to be toxic, were released upstream by chemical companies, carpet manufacturers, and Dalton Utilities into Rome's main water source, the Oostanaula River. STORY 4: Crash  Cartersville-based Phoenix Air has released the names of the three crew members who died in a crash off the coast of California. Recovery efforts are underway to retrieve the bodies of Capt. Eric Tatman, First Officer Spencer Geerlings and Systems Specialist Shane Garner. The crash occurred during a US Navy training exercise involving two Phoenix Air Learjets, with one of them landing safely. The Navy, Coast Guard and other agencies conducted search operations and found a debris field in the water about a mile from San Clemente Island. The Coast Guard has confirmed that there were no survivors. Phoenix Air has been a contracted air operator for the Navy for over 20 years and is cooperating with investigations…….We’ll be back Commercial  We Care Fair - ESOG STORY 5: Darlington Darlington's baseball team secured a spot in the final four by sweeping Heard County in its Class A Division I quarterfinal matchup. Darlington's Logan Floyd had a complete game effort to earn a 4-1 victory in Game 1, while Hill Shropshire pitched a complete game for an 11-6 win in Game 2. Ashton Albers hit a grand slam and finished with five RBIs in Game 2, while Floyd had a triple and an RBI in Game 1. The Tigers will face Prince Avenue Christian in the semifinals. Darlington's head coach, Matt Larry, praised his team for playing its best baseball at the right time over the past few weeks….back in a moment Commercial:  Ingles 2 – Omni Wellness STORY 6: Rome coaches On Tuesday, Rome High School announced three new head coaches for various athletic programs. Kelly Carter was named the new head coach for track and field and cross country. He previously coached at Georgia Southern University and has over 24 years of coaching experience. Matthew Dunn was appointed as the new head coach for wrestling. He has experience as a head and assistant coach at multiple schools and established the Elite Wrestling Academy in Tennessee. Lastly, Shane Ramsey was named the new head coach for baseball. He previously coached at Heritage High School and Effingham County High School, winning multiple Coach of the Year honors during his career. Omni Wellness – Henssler 60 Thanks again for listening to today’s Northwest Georgia News podcast. Giving you important information about your 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.  Henssler Financial www.hensslerkennesaw.com Ingles Markets www.ingles-markets.com Drake Realty www.drakerealty.com United Military Care www.unitedmilitarycare.org Engineered Solutions of Georgia www.esogrepair.com Omni Wellness Studio

From the Ingles Studio this is The Northwest Georgia News Podcast    Today is Wednesday, May 10th, and happy 68th birthday to ESPN’s Chris Berman ***Back back back*** I’m Brian Giffin and here the top stories Northwest Georgia is talking about  presented by Drake Realty 12 arrested in 'Operation Golden Eagle' crackdown targeting computer/electronic pornography, human trafficking Removing food-to-liquor ratio conversation back as Rome commissioners pull Peaches liquor license And Berry College student entrepreneurs compete for $25,500 These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Northwest Georgia News podcast Commercial :   Drake STORY 1: 12 arrested Twelve individuals have been arrested in Georgia as part of an undercover investigation called "Operation Golden Eagle," involving law enforcement agencies including the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit. The charges against those arrested range from computer pornography and child exploitation to human trafficking. The individuals, aged 24-64 and hailing from different areas around Bartow County, were arrested for traveling to meet a child for sex. The operation took several months of planning and involved 12 law enforcement agencies. Additional charges and arrests may be forthcoming. STORY 2: Peaches The Rome City Commission has voted unanimously to terminate the liquor license of Peaches live music venue on Broad Street, due to non-compliances with the city's food-to-drink ratio. Peaches owner Stephanie Shaw will still be able to offer beer and wine at the establishment, but not liquor until the license is reestablished. The Alcohol Control Commission recommended that Shaw be allowed to reapply for a liquor license in three months, once food sales start meeting the ratio. The ACC also suggested that the City Commissioners consider changes to the ordinance that could make it easier for non-restaurants to sell liquor. STORY 3: Berry Berry College in Georgia held a PITCH competition, where student entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win funding. The winners of the competition, which included students from a variety of majors, shared a total of $25,500 in prize money. The grand prize of $10,000 went to Cecilia Kolbash for her idea of providing altered clothing to people with physical impairments or disabilities through her venture called Limitless by Grace. Other winners included Handley Owens, Gary Jones, Kris Thomas, Nick Willis, and Taylor Carles. Judges for the competition included several Berry alumni with successful business backgrounds. STORY 4: Restaurants: There is speculation about which restaurant will move into a new 3,348 square foot space with a drive-through at Berry Crossing. Initial speculation suggested that a new dessert concept was coming to town, but now rumors suggest a local favorite is the favorite to open a second restaurant near the CVS. Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Grill has opened a new location in West Rome, with the new site's hours of operation from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 7 p.m. on Sunday. Also, the Varsity restaurant in Bethlehem is almost ready, and there are rumors that Rome will be the next location after Bethlehem is finished.  We’ll be back Commercial  We Care Fair - ESOG And now, Leah McGrath from Ingles markets joins our own Bruce Jenkins to talk about meat allergies: LEAH PIECE We’ll have more NWGA news Podcast after this Commercial:  Ingles 2 – Omni Wellness STORY 5: Retires Former Rome High football coach Sid Fritts has retired from coaching at Washington-Wilkes, after a career that spanned eight schools and four states. Fritts was one of only 11 high school football coaches to win region titles at four GHSA schools, including Rome. His coaching record was 263-111-2, and he won region titles at every school he coached in Georgia. He will be succeeded by his offensive coordinator, Alex Bradford. STORY 6: Local sports This week and next, several high school sports championships are taking place in Rome. From May 12-14, Barron Stadium/Maddox Track will host the A-Div. 1, 6A, and Adapted track and field championships. Tickets are $8. On May 15, the GHSA state tennis championships will take place at the Tennis Center at Berry College, with tickets priced at $10. Finally, from May 19-22, the GHSA baseball championships will be held at AdventHealth Stadium in Rome, with tickets priced at $15 per day. Stay abreast of all local sports happenings at northwestgeorgianews.com. We step out for a moment, we’ll be right back Omni Wellness - Henssler Thanks again for listening to today’s Northwest Georgia News podcast. 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. Thanks to our sponsors Henssler Financial www.hensslerkennesaw.com Ingles Markets  www.ingles-markets.com Drake Realty www.drakerealty.com United Military Care www.unitedmilitarycare.org Engineered Solutions of Georgia www.esogrepair.com Omni Wellness Studio 

Calhoun Street shooter arrested, later charged with murder when victim dies. Earthquake in Menlo area Friday measures 2.0 on Richter Scale. Former DFCS worker charged with child abuse Water-Sewer Committee approves location for new facility. Riverfront facility approved. Thanks to our sponsors, Henssler Financial www.hensslerkennesaw.com Drake Realty www.drakerealty.com Engineered Solutions of Georgia www.esogrepair.com        Omni Wellness Studio    United Military Care  www.unitedmilitarycare.org

Calhoun music group Omni! has a song on the soundtrack of the EA Sports baseball video game; a Darlington student signed to play basketball at Pfieffer College in North Carolina; And Shorter's Dean of Education will speak at graduation. 

A vacant house in Rome fell victim to a fire; Moms United held a food truck festival in Cedartown with a special appearance by former University of Georgia and current Cleveland Browns' running back Nick Chubb, who's younger sister is the founder of Moms United; Calhoun has made some changes to their alcohol ordinances; Berry women's lacrosse earned a spot in the SAA championship game; Rockmart citizens kicked off Georgia Cities Week with planting of trees for Earth Day; Sonoraville was knocked off in the high school baseball playoffs by East Forsyth; And Rome has Georgia Cities Week events happening all this week. 

Three-year-old Levi Lansdell has beaten cancer and is holding a fundraising celebration; Calhoun's golf program had a big weekend, And Model baseball won the region championship. 

Rome police are searching for a suspect who shot a 15-year-old at Banty Jones Park; Tallapoosa Circuit Chief Assistant DA Jaeson Smith has announced his intent to run for District Attorney to fill the seat left open by retiring DA Jack Browning; Rotary Plaza has been proposed a Rome's first placemaking project; Students from Rockmart High School got to show off their art projects; And the community is raising money for "Famous" Amos Washington. 

Senior Pastor at First Baptist Atlanta and founder of In Touch Ministries has passed away at age 90. 

A Cedartown woman sat down on a road for reasons unknown before being struck and killed by a car; Marjorie Taylor Greene spoke at Lafayette High School about New York, Donald Trump, Transgender healthcare, and more; And a pair of Coosa athletes made it official with their future college homes. 

Former Model standout and South Carolina women's basketball star Victaria Saxton was drafted by the Indiana Fever of the WNBA; Van Wert studetns were visited by the Georgia Ag Experience; Local agencies team up for Child Abuse Prevention Month; Rockmart's baseball team continues its run; Two Floyd County students will participate in the 2023 Governor's Honors program; A Calhoun woman died in a single-vehicle accident on McDaniel Station Road; And Keep Calhoun Gordon Beautiful will host its free Plant a Tree Grow a Friend event.  Plus we learn more about the pros and cons of fasting from our friends at Ingles Markets. 

Chick-Fil-A employees and the community are still realing from a tragic incident that took place in the drive-through; Two Lindale residents were charged with meth possession; VAC is preparing it's Strike Out Hunger bowling tournament; Pepperell baseball looks focused despite it being spring break; Shorter University presented awards to faculty members; And Rockmart girls' tennis is region champs. 

The sixth suspected member of the Northside Babies was arrested; a Calhoun man was sentenced to life for the fentanyl related death of another man; A Garden Lakes man faces gun and drug charges; A local basketball star has signed with a college in California; a local group of pilots are inspiring others; And Shorter football got to show off in front of fans.