Hometown Headlines Radio Edition: Local news without the static.

Thirty-four years ago on Independence Day, Christa Jackson and her three oldest sons were at their Cave Spring home, disappointed because the weather had wiped out a day of swimming. They were watching the Atlanta Salute to America on television when Christa had an idea -- the Jacksons would have their own parade. 

That "army" of five grew over the decades to feature more than 500 people at 9 a.m. each Fourth of July who parade around the downtown square in a true replica of Norman Rockwell's Americana. 

Join Christa as she talks about the parade's origins, Miss Liberty, the coveted "Vote" dress, gallons of homemade ice cream and how it has become a tradition for generations of area residents.

Interviewed by John Druckenmiller of Hometown Headlines.

Sponsored in part and produced by Brand Red Studios (our thanks to Todd LeBarge and Ryan Simmons).

Cosponsored by Giggity's Sports Bar & Grill, Broad Street, Rome, Ga. 

Today's newscast brought to you in part by Giggity's Sports Bar & Grill:

 'What's on your bucket list?' Longtime friends come together to help restore 'Frankenstein,' an old Dodge pickup for local veteran fighting terminal cancer diagnosis.' Natalie Simms shares a story about some old friends on a mission to restore a buddy’s truck loaded with memories.

The community is mourning today the loss of Teresa Milam, known as “the face of Steak ‘n Shake and a longtime waitress at Western Sizzlin. Teresa died suddenly in a two-vehicle accident in Troup County Sunday morning as she drove to see one of her sons at Fort Benning. 

Several dining stops today. First, breakfast at Doug's Downtown Deli will bowl you over. Calhoun's Taco Bell reopens following fire last summer. Chicken Salad Chick hiring begins in Rome. 

We have an expanding report on Independence Day celebrations, which begin this Saturday.  

The Rome Braves go on offensive, beat Hagerstown 8-4.

Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia:

-Dr. Ryland Scott, downtown parking, the success of Rome River Jam, 300 jobs to accompany Chick-fil-A distribution center.

From Studio 1A:

CRIME: 3 men sought in Wednesday shooting; Rome man wanted in attempted murder case captured; two deaths in Cedartown were a murder-suicide.

COMMUNITY: A win for Summerville Park in the fight of the Sleep Inn development; the battle continues.

WEEKEND: Huge -- 13,500 due at Rome River Jam; plenty of entertainment options.

NEWSMAKERS: A new Rotary president and a birthday for a local attorney.

PEAKS & VALLEYS: Peaks to the Board of Adjustments, the sheriff's office for fighting Hepatitis A and for good work by Snickers the bloodhound; and Valley to us for being late with Thursday's Podcast.

From Studio 1A this Thursday:

Severe weather hammers Rome, Cedartown this morning.

Violent night of crime, from SWAT-assisted drug arrest to murder-suicide in Cedartown to another Rome shooting.

Huge weekend ahead with Rome River Jam to draw 13,500 fans (sold out!)

Plus 10 other new updates from Northwest Georgia.

From Studio 1A:

-Your local news headlines for the day.

-Local sports: Dylan Beasley signs with Nats.

-Today's newsmakers: Buzz Wachsteter and Gene Proctor.

-Peaks & Valleys: Highs and lows of Northwest Georgia.

Rome's rich history contains numerous references to severe floods and how Broad Street as well as the buildings lining it were changed from their original designs to better cope with the reoccurring nightmare. 

But with those changes came stories of what's below some of the buildings we know today -- The Vogue, Johnny's New York Style Pizza, the Rome Area History Museum and the current downtown office of The Spires at Berry College.

Architect Mark Cochran joins host John Druckenmiller for a 30-minute "tour" of what's down and a little dirty about Broad Street. You'll learn a good bit of Rome history -- and about how you can take part in tours of the buildings on Saturday, June 22, 2019, benefiting the Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia. The podcast also stands alone as a wonderful look at Rome's yesterday.

For homework, we recommend a look at the Underground Rome History Project on Facebook, authored by Cochran.   

AND OUR THANKS: This long-form podcast was recorded and produced at the downtown Rome studios of Brand Red Studios at 4 Bale St. We thank Todd LaBerge and Ryan Simmons for use of the podcast studio and editing expertise. For more on Brand Red, please click here. And to listen to some of the podcasts they're producing, please click Studio Red Media. 

No afternoon news on the radio? Here's the latest:  

AirLife is leaving its perch at Redmond Regional after about a year of emergency service there. The company made the formal announcement this morning. Its helicopter and flight crews assigned to Redmond had been there since late last summer

The Rome-Floyd Development Authority met Tuesday morning. Among the updates: The board has had seven interviews for economic director so far and chairman Jimmy Byars hopes to have a decision on who to hire by later this month or early July. Also from the meeting: updates on financial, land purchases.

Business People: Jarrod Floyd returns to United Community Bank. Kroger's Steve Van Meter -- a mainstay in Rome's competitive grocery wars -- leaving after this week.

We’re likewise watching the weather as we’ve had one brush with storms already since sunrise.

From Studio 1A today:

What's new with the Ledbetters' East Bend development and what's next.

Political season is formally under way with a sheriff's "forum" today, presidential politics tonight and in late June.

Names in the news: Bob Berry, Chip Hood and the late Neil Sanders.

Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia with:

-Politics: Off and running.

-The Farm Bus is on a roll.

-Too early for road work at Kmart site?

-Georgia's best, brightest now in town for Governor's Honors at Berry.

-That Underground Rome podcast? Delayed a day by tech glitch.

From Studio 1A:

 Exploring a Rome family's connection to Notre Dame Cathedral: More than 30 years later, Andy and Jennifer Bressette return to share their love of the historic church with two of their children even after the devastating fire that hit April 15.

Rocket Wash from Wayne Robinson is joining race to provide mean, clean driving machines in Northwest Georgia. It is part of a nationwide surge. Wayne’s business is under construction on Joe Frank Harris Parkway in Cartersville. 

Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia include:

-Peak: Rome for the Rescues' party of the summer a huge success.

-Valley: Park the license plate reader after hours for now; salt in still-open wounds.

-Peak: Summerville Park's 'civil' protests.

-Valley: City to green light fourth development tax break. So how does the community profit from this?

-Peak: To Floyd County Police and others for helping find a lost dementia patient Friday night. 

Hot and ready from Studio 1A this Friday:

Tomorrow's Rome news today with updates on Shorter University's bid to fix some key financial concerns... A Rome man faces more than 40 counts after a chase and time on the run ... We remember local author and writer J. Bryant Steele ... Weekend guide courtesy of the Forum River Center ... Dining updates ... Sports ... Weather. All the radio you need in just about eight minutes.

Also today: Our second segment is exclusively about where to go and what to do this weekend in Northwest Georgia.