Hometown Headlines Radio Edition: Local news without the static.

From today's rant:

We started with this today: "PEAK to all those groups and individuals collecting toys, clothing and donations for those in need at this time of year. From the Exchange Club to the sheriff’s office to children services and the angel tree groups at area churches, many of those in need this season will be touched by their – and your – generosity."

Two sentences, while well intended, didn’t seem to be enough. So do we list each group indivudually? Do we break it into divisions, including churches, community service agencies and law enforcement? And what about schools and youth groups?

Find out how on today's rant.

Today's headlines:

With two weeks to go, our first Christmas shopping experience deserves a lump of coal. Consider:

In summary: So-so service, low inventory, continued pressure to add to the sale with jewelry, miscommunication about the store’s promotions for the day, a gift bag promise that wasn’t delivered. We’re not sure if we heard a thank you or even Merry Christmas; at this point, we just wanted out of the store even if the light, cold rain was continuing.

Ho, ho, no?

Today's headlines:

The summary:

"But that won’t matter if the one-time Sixth Congressional District candidate listens to what she says are ample calls from conservatives in our area to run for the seat Tom Graves will vacate a year from now.

"It wouldn’t be the first time someone from outside the district represented our area. Phil Gingrey wasn’t a district resident but he might as well have been as he spent so much time in our community.

"So perhaps Greene, described by the AJC as a construction company executive, will take the 14th without much of a fight.

" ... Perhaps our mantra should be this: 'When in doubt, order out' – as in outside the district."

Today's headlines:

For thousands of Northwest Georgians, their day started with Tom, Robert and Mr. Ed as part of The Breakfast Bunch, an all-local morning show packed with music, news, zingers and the occasional hamster dance as well as Mr. Ed's Challenge.

There was the ride home for the evening commute as well as hundreds of remote broadcasts, as many as seven Christmas parades a season, giveaways, the home show, the bridal show and a converted school bus that became the mobile icon of 97.7 FM.

When needed, the station answered listeners' needs to quckly relay critical information during the days-long aftermath of the Blizzard of '93 and the tense, solemn hours after Sept. 11, 2001. 

K-98 likewise stepped up as Toys for Tots was struggling. Together with the locally based Marines, the station grew the Christmas campaign into a seasonal event with an auction raising thousands of dollars and one that continues to champion local children in need today.  

Mills Fitzner, who with his wife Cheryl returned to Rome and the former WROM to grow the legendary station that still brings smiles to past listeners, joined us on The Druck Report to remember K-98. Fitzner sold the station 13 years ago as it became known as WGPB, part of Georgia Public Broadcasting's statewide network.

Find out what happened to many of those familiar voices, the behind-the-scenes crew and the depressing -- or is that compressing? -- fate of the K-98 bus. 

About this podcast: Mills Fitzner joined us recently at Brand Red Studios in downtown Rome to talk about Northwest Georgia's most-missed radio station, K-98. We thank the Brand Red folks for their production support of our long-form podcasts and Todd La Berge for another excellent job producing this conversation. The Druck Report is a production of Hometown Headlines Inc. Please join us for our weekday newscasts and rants as well.

Comments from Georgia Chamber Chief Chris Clark on what we need to address:

Today's headlines:

Just in case you missed some of these during the past five days, here are our Daily Rants from the Hometown Headlines newscast. They include:

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