Hometown Headlines Radio Edition: Local news without the static.

If anything, some people thought the presence of Georgia Power might be easing here with the November 2018 closing and recent sale of the 800 Broad St. location. That was underscored by the July announcement to basically shutter Plant Hammond, which particularly has local school administrators concerned because of the expected economic hit.

But that’s not the case. If anything, Georgia Power’s local involvement seems to be escalating. The chamber. Economic development. Various boards.  And now "facilitating" what we consider to be a very critical city retreat as the community has some key issues to solve. 

We find this "confluence" if you will interesting -- at least that’s the view from the outside. You have to wonder how elected and appointed leaders see it, let alone other local “corporate partners.”

Today's headlines:

A special podcast edition of our Ware Mechanical weather updates.

Northwest Georgia is expected to see strong winds, heavy rain and perhaps brief tornadoes late tonight and into Thursday morning as a cold front clips our area. The major concern: High winds toppling trees already standing in saturated soil from all our recent rain. Plus: We'll see another inch of rain with this incoming storm.

We've incorporated an update from the National Weather Service's Peachtree City into this newscast, with highlights from Hometown Headlines at the beginning.

We'll have continuing web and social media updates throughout the evening. 

Earlier today, we checked Facebook one last time before writing this. Some 1,700 people had shared a certain post. In fact, people were ensuring they spread the word beyond Greater Rome. Around 50 comments had been posted – some supportive, others politely throwing the BS flag. We can only guess how many views the post received.

At issue: A Rome woman recounted what her son reportedly experienced at an urgent care clinic. We weren’t there and neither were those 1,700 people sharing the Facebook post.

But we do know the post sparked widespread reaction on Facebook. And we do know area healthcare officials were in overdrive late Tuesday afternoon and into the night trying to find answers.

As of the last check we made, there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Georgia. That includes Rome, Ga. And Floyd County. And any contiguous county.

But we knew it was coming: A collision course between Facebook and the coronavirus. 

Today's headlines:

Monday night, one by one – and we mean at the pace of a pre-global warming glacier – local school administrators started to make “The Decision.”

Those of you who are sports fans know what The Decision means – when LeBron James announced he was taking his talents to South Beach years ago. The ESPN “special” seemingly lasted longer than the Oscars. So, too, did the notices from area schools Monday night.

Parents and educators were writing, calling and texting us. “Any word yet?”

Ever so slowly, Trion reported no classes on Tuesday. Cherokee County, Ala., reported a two-hour delay. Polk County Schools announced a 10 a.m. start time Tuesday. And then Gordon County. And then Calhoun City. And then Bartow County but not before some of the schools leaked word before the county school system.

Finally, around 9 p.m. Monday, Floyd County Schools made the call – a two-hour delayed start to Tuesday. And then Rome. And then our private schools, some after 10 p.m.

A few more came in Tuesday morning.

Our take: There needs to be an earlier call when making such decisions.

Today's headlines:

There's a funeral for a friend today and we hope it draws a standing-room-only crowd for the Matriarch of Mass Media.

As we remember the jet crash victims, also think of those involved in a very rugged search Saturday morning.

A stricken city of Rome employee is being lifted by many dedicated friends.

Signs of the times: New name for Ga. 101?

Fathers & Sons: Wonderful tribute tonight for the Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame.

Today's headlines:

You know Jay Shell as a father, a husband, a successful businessman and a "kids first" member of the Floyd County Board of Education.

But how about Jay Shell, Kid Cockfighter?

Jay is writing a book about some of his unique adventures growing up in Spring Garden, Ala. Perhaps considered poor by some, Jay wouldn't trade those days for anything. He embraces them for making him what he is today.

And after listening to the tales of Brown Red the rooster, you'll know why.

In this inaugural podcast, Jay shares one of the more colorful adventures of his champion pet rooster and the day Brown Red took down the vaunted Silver Bullet, an experience that changed Jay's life for ever.

Please spend around 30 minutes with some of the most colorful tales of a childhood few others have experienced.