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Floyd County Sheriff's Office annual awards

2012-01-27T15:35:00.001-05:00

Media release: The Sheriff's Office held its Annual Meeting, Wednesday January 17, 2012. Employees were praised on their great contributions and the work performed throughout the 2011 year. Sheriff Burkhalter, Chief Deputy Tom Caldwell and fellow Command Staff members applauded the efforts of and thanked all employees for their contributions and involvement in acquiring national accreditation. The Sheriff praised FCSO staff while noting employees "earned the award he just received it on their behalf". The attainment of accreditation was a goal realized and an accomplishment which will fulfill as well as strengthen the positive force that we strive to be in our community.

Each year, employees are selected for the work demonstrated throughout the year and are named EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR for that Division. Winners of our annual awards were as follows:

2011 JOE ADAMS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

(Employee(s) who exemplify positive efforts through volunteerism and humanitarianism). This award is presented in memory of Sheriff Joe Adams (1953-1973) for contributions to our community as a whole.

There are two awardees for this category FY2011:

2011 JOE ADAMS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

MAJ. ROBERT SAPP

· Major Sapp has been a major source of energy and enthusiasm for our employees and in helping us nurture and grow together. Bob was instrumental in raising funds for the Sheriff's Youth Initiative, which is strictly operated and funded by donations from the community. His idea for "Zombieland" permitted a "thrill" of a time to adventurers while giving us the means to continue educating our children and heightening the awareness of the community through various drug awareness and intervention programs, i.e. C.H.A.M.P.S., Meth Awareness, Gang Activity, etc. Maj. Sapp has been employed with the Floyd County Sheriff's Office since January 1, 2011.

2^nd RecipienT of the 2011 JOE ADAMS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

CPL. WILLIAM "GHEE" WILSON

· Cpl. Wilson volunteered numerous hours throughout the year and conducted several fundraisers to help provide services to numerous children during the year and at Christmas. Ghee is always the first person to step up with ideas and resources. Cpl Wilson has been employed with the Floyd County Sheriff's Office since September 1, 2005.

2011 JAIL OPERATIONS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

JAIL OFFICER JIM PILGRIM

· Dep. Pilgrim was noted by the Employee Recognition Committee as being an employee who exceeds what is expected or required to perform his job. Pilgrim is also as "an extremely dedicated hard worker, who takes the initiative to do what has to be done without being asked to." He always helps coworkers and never complains about assignments. Officer Pilgrim is a joy to be around and has been employed with the Floyd County Sheriff's Office since March 17, 1999.

2011 FIELD OPERATIONS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

DEPUTY JACOB PLEDGER

· Dep. Pledger was noted by the Employee Recognition Committee as being one who demonstrates exceptional dedication and initiative and is always eager to work. He is an example of a fine young man who has unlimited potential. He goes out of his way to help other employees and officers and has a positive attitude about work. Pledger has impressed on his peers that he is an example of what any officer can become by giving the same effort and hard work. Dep. Pledger has been employed with the Floyd County Sheriff's Office since April 7, 2009.

2011 P.I.G. AWARD

MAJOR TOMMY MCGUIRE was awarded the P.I.G. Award (P.I.G. is the acronym for Pride, Integrity & Guts)

· Major McGuire demonstrated determination, humility and honor, in the face of serious challenges in 2011 and still put his fellow employees first, despite his own personal infirmity. Major McGuire selflessness is genuine and his concern for his fellowman is pure. Not only are we proud of him but we are honored and privileged to work with a perfect example of an officer and a gentleman. Major McGuire is a 35 year veteran of law enforcement.

EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER-4^TH QUARTER 2011

· Officer Kerri Chapman was selected as the Employee of the Quarter, 4^th Quarter of 2011. Keri was voted by her peers to be someone who works continuously with a positive attitude and cooperates with co-workers in order to achieve common goals of the office. She is always willing to "jump right in whether it is helping victims recovering from a tornado or helping with programs such as the Sheriff Santa or helping a co-worker in need." Kerri presents a drive to succeed and to do her job efficiently and accurately. Kerri works to foster a collaborative effort through communication and cooperation with her fellow peers. Kerri is now training as a TAC Operator and works in the Sheriffs intelligence office. Jail Officer Chapman has been employed with the Floyd County Sheriff's Office since March 19, 2001.

The Floyd County Sheriff's Office proudly announces these award winners for a job well done! Each employee was encouraged to participate in our volunteer opportunities and to keep up their dedicated efforts to work as a team and to be Positive in Our Community!

Gifted Oratorical Contest 2012

2012-01-27T14:37:00.000-05:00

Photo left to right: Caleb Gilmore, Hunter Hays, and Ruth Ann Freeman

Media release: Hunter Hays, a seventh-grade student at Model Middle School, is the repeat champion of the Gifted Education Middle School Oratorical Contest. Hays and participants from Armuchee Middle, Coosa Middle, Model Middle and Pepperell Middle participated in the fourth annual oratorical contest on Thursday, January 19, at the Floyd County Board of Education.

The gifted students competed at the school level to represent their school in the contest. The top two school qualifiers participated in the system contest for 6th, 7th or 8th grade gifted students in Floyd County Schools. The contest was judged by the Toastmasters of Rome Club. Judges included Robert Bunn, Mike Ellis, Lynn Denson, and Merrill Davies. The participants in the oratorical contest were judged on poise, content of their speech, delivery and overall effectiveness.

Hunter Hays won the Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award for the state of Georgia last year. Each year, the award is given to one student in grades three through six in each state for distinguishing themselves in academics, leadership, or the arts. He is also active in school and the community. Hays is the center and nose guard on the Model Middle football team and plays third base for the baseball team. He is a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle Leader at MMS. He is also very talented at playing the piano and singing. He has performed in front of people since the age of three and has written and performed some of his own praise and worship songs for church. Hays will deliver his speech at the February Floyd County Board of Education meeting on Thursday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m.

The winners of the contest were:
1st Place: Hunter Hays seventh grader at Model Middle School
2nd Place: Caleb Gilmore eighth grader at Pepperell Middle School
3rd- Place: Ruth Ann Freeman seventh grader at Armuchee Middle School

Participants included:
Armuchee Middle School: Ruth Ann Freeman and Rachel McCurry
Coosa Middle School: Julissa Vasquez and Keiley Roland
Model Middle School: Hunter Hays and Ella Claire Chambless
Pepperell Middle School: Caleb Gilmore and Story Vernon

Mid-20s due Saturday, Sunday nights. Business: Chamber winners, restaurant wish list, opening dates. Busy weekend for local politics.

2012-01-27T05:59:00.000-05:00

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Half inch of rain; next up mid-20s Saturday night
-Thursday night's cold front didn't come close to the rainfall originally predicted which is why the flash flood watch was canceled so early. But the front did allow colder weather in. We'll feel it Saturday and Sunday nights with lows in the 20s. Sunday's wind chill, with 35-mph gusts, could be an issue.
-Friday: Mostly sunny, high of 57, low of 35.
-Saturday: Sunny, high of 56, low of 24.
-Sunday: Sunny, high of 56, low of 25.

Meet the chamber's small business, ambassador of the year.

Thursday night's debate: Who won?
-Busy weekend for local Democrats, Republicans.

Dining
-Cups & Mugs aims for Feb. 1 opening at Redmond.
-Lots of speculation on what's next for Santa Fe Cattle site. Some names are downright 'Loco.'
-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores.
-New Rome Dining Guide advertising section premieres.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m. weekdays
-On Rome's News Talk WRGA 1470 AM; click to listen online.
-Layla Shipman of the Young Republicans on Thursday's debate and the Florida Primary.
-Dawn Tolbert on Shorter University's continuing growth.

Mason Dixon Boy's Basketball Tournament Final Results

2012-01-27T05:21:00.001-05:00

Mason Dixon Boy's Basketball Tournament Final Results
Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012

Round 1
Game 1: Kentucky 47, Mississippi 32
Game 2: Eastern North Carolina 67, South Carolina 62

Round 2
Game 3: Louisiana 38, Virginia 10
Game 4: Tennessee 58, Georgia 35
Game 5: North Carolina 34, Kentucky 20

Round 3:
Game 6: Alabama 65, E. North Carolina 36
Game 7: Florida 51, Louisiana 16

Tournament play resumes Friday, January 27, 2012, at 8:45 a.m.

The Lady Tigers won their first game in the Mason Dixon Girls' Tournament against Kentucky School for the Deaf, 39-15. The tournament is being played in Talladega, Ala.They played again at 6:15 p.m. today according to the bracket but I don't have a score. I'm working on it. If I get it, I'll get it to you ASAP.

Isakson Opposes President Obama’s Request to Increase Debt Limit By An Additional $1.2 Trillion

2012-01-26T13:52:00.000-05:00

Media release: Saying that the federal government must live within its means just as American families have to do, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today voted in support of a resolution of disapproval on the president's request to increase the debt limit by an additional $1.2 trillion. Isakson voiced disappointment that the motion to proceed to the resolution failed in the Senate by a vote of 44 to 52.

Even though the resolution passed the House last week by a vote of 239 to 176, the failed vote in the Senate now means that, under the Budget Control Act of 2011, the president's requested debt increase of $1.2 trillion will go into effect because Congress has failed to pass a resolution of disapproval within 15 days of the president's request.

"Our country is experiencing a very serious financial crisis that has been felt by families and businesses across America. I find it very troubling that the president is asking to increase the nation's debt limit when his Democrat majority in the Senate has failed to submit budget in the past 1,000 days," said Isakson. "In the president's speech on Tuesday night, he spoke a great deal about fairness. I would suggest that the fairest thing Washington can do is to finally pass a budget and, and more importantly, stick to it and force the federal government to live within its means just as Americans across the country have had to do in their households and businesses."

Isakson is co-sponsor of S.J. Res. 34, a similar resolution of disapproval on increasing the debt limit, which was introduced by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., earlier this week. In September 2011, Isakson voted in favor of another resolution of disapproval on increasing the debt limit, which failed by a vote of 45 to 52.

Shorter University Planning for Construction of New Student Residence Facility

2012-01-26T11:02:00.000-05:00

Shorter University is working with architects to develop plans for a 100-bed
student residence facility. The facility will provide much-needed student
living space for the university.

"Shorter University has had tremendous growth, and in the fall of 2011, our
record enrollment included approximately 120 students who wanted to live on
campus that we were unable to accommodate with on-campus housing," said Dr.
Don Dowless, university president. "The student experience is enriched by
being part of the campus community, and we are excited that this new
construction will allow us to have even more of our student population
reside in our Christ-centered campus environment."

A team from Atlanta-based architectural firm Cooper Carry is working to
develop plans for the building; architects involved in the project are Tim
Fish, Lyle Green, and David Goodman. Allen Hornback of Marietta-based ADE
Builders is serving as contractor for the construction project.

The building will be located behind the Sheffield-Thompson Building between
the Newman Hall and Hazel Eubanks Hall residence facilities.

A groundbreaking will be held in the near future, and the university plans
to have the facility completed for use during the fall semester.

Flood watch tonight; 1-3 inches of rain due. Jobless rate inches up in December. New Hometown features.

2012-01-26T06:01:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

One to three inches of rain later today, tonight; flood watch overnight.
-Rain chance at 90 to 100% as next front moves through; some storms possible as well.
-Continuing coverage all day, evening on Hometown Headlines.

December employment snapshot: Jobless rate climbs vs. November
-Our new listing shows number of people out of work in December vs. a year ago; also latest, unemployment rates.

2012 already a rough one for some local restaurants:
-Three shops closed so far in January: Santa Fe, Ryan's in Calhoun, Cartersville.
Three Rome restaurants score below 60; 15 other Northwest Georgia establishments earn 95 or better in public health inspections. Dining

Updates from Hometown Headlines
-We have a new "navigation" bar starting today across the top of our Web pages, designed to bring together our most popular web pages, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, our page for mobile-friendly page and our blog as well as a link to our news partners at WRGA 1470 AM.
-Also, our first "advertorial" page premieres. The new spin on the Rome Dining Guide offers local restaurant owners/operators a spot to tell their story, in their words. Today's premiere snapshot features 333 on Broad and owner Jay Shell.
-Restaurant inspection scores and other dining updates will be featured on our separate Dining page.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m. weekdays
-On Rome's News Talk WRGA 1470 AM; click to listen online.
-Tim Allee, Environmental Health District Director,
Northwest Georgia Public Health.
-Dr. Brian Carroll, Berry College communication professor, on a rough week in media.

2012 Heart of the Community Walk to Honor Terry Simmons

2012-01-25T15:58:00.001-05:00

Media release: Lace up your walking shoes, and plan on participating in the 4th annual Heart of the Community Walk. The walk will be held Saturday, February 25th and kicks off at 10 a.m. with pre-walk festivities beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Citizen's First Bank in downtown Rome, GA.

The walk, previously benefiting the American Heart Association, is now for the fourth year raising proceeds for the Heart of the Community Foundation. Proceeds raised in 2012 walk will be used to purchase signage and mile markers for Rome's Jackson Hill Recreational Trail and go towards the creation of an additional trail to link downtown Rome with Summerville Park, Redmond Regional and Berry College.

Redmond Regional Medical Center is the premier sponsor for the event and event sponsorships are available. Additional information on sponsorships and the event can be found on RedmondRegional.com under news and events. Harbin Clinic and General Electric are participating as Silver Sponsors.

This year's walk honors heart disease survivor Terry Simmons. Simmons is a local State Farm Insurance Agent a two time survivor of heart complications. The first occurrence was a "silent" heart attack in 1997 that gave Simmons no warning signs or symptoms. He went to visit his family physician for a check-up and was sent immediately to the Redmond Emergency room. After Simmons was treated and received a heart stent, he learned his heart had "rerouted" his blood flow, which was why he didn't realize he was having complications. His physician credited this to Simmons' dedicated work-out routines and physical fitness.

Simmons' second bout with heart troubles surfaced in 2005. After a regular check up, his physician ordered an exploratory cath to ensure Terry's heart was still at 100%. Again, despite no symptoms and Simmons' active workout routine, the cath revealed four blockages in his heart. He underwent bypass surgery at Redmond and was back to his regular lifestyle a few short weeks later.

Terry Simmons says of his survival, "It pays to stay in shape. See your doctor regularly and eat a nutritious diet. If I was not active and in contact with my physician, I would not have had it so easy. "

"The walk is an excellent way to remind people to consider their heart health and to take active steps to a healthier life style," says Heart of the Community Walk Co-Chair P.J. Miller, Executive Administrative Assistant at Redmond. "Participating in the fundraising and the walk is one way Redmond is able to give back to the community, remember those who suffered from heart disease and inspire others to take conscious steps to protect themselves from the disease."

While there is no entry fee to participate in the walk, participants are asked to raise funds prior to the walk to turn in at the event. Participants are encouraged to get creative with fundraising. For example, Redmond holds bake sales, Valentine's Day gift sales, lunches and raffles.

In addition to raising money for the community, the walk also raises awareness for heart disease and honors survivors. Fruit and water will be provided at the event for all participants. The walk is approximately three miles and shorter routes are available.

The Heart of the Community Foundation works to improve health and promote education in the Rome and Floyd community. It has provided the community with the construction of the Heart House at Redmond Regional Medical Center, construction of the Serenity Garden at Redmond Regional Medical Center, purchase of fitness equipment for the North Floyd Recreation Center, creation of the Par Course Fitness Center at Ridge Ferry Park and has distributed Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the Community. More information can be found on www.theheartofthecommunity.org and on Facebook.

Latest updates from state Rep. Barbara Massey Reece

2012-01-25T11:38:00.001-05:00

Rep. Barbara Massey Reece| Legislative Report | January 20, 2012

Media release: University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby, speaking before a joint budget hearing to members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, said last week that continuing increases in tuition and fees have caused as many as 700 students to drop out of classes at some of the state's larger campuses.

The chancellor told lawmakers the University System would begin to slow down the pace of these increases. In his budget presentation, he noted the Board of Regents has approved several tuition increases in recent years to compensate in part for major reductions in the funding budgeted by the legislature for higher education. He said the University System has seen its budget reduced by about $1 billion over the past four years. To save money, the Regents recently approved a recommendation to consolidate eight of the state's public colleges into four institutions.

Meanwhile, Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson told legislative budget writers that a number of under-utilized technical college campuses will likely be closed in order to achieve a 2 percent budget cut ordered of all agencies by Gov. Nathan Deal.　　The budget meetings concluded Thursday, with committee members having heard presentations from the heads of more than 20 state agencies and departments, along with Supreme Court Chief Justice Carol Hunstein, speaking on behalf of the judicial branch of government, Secretary of State Brian Kemp and Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black.

Gov. Deal has presented an amended budget proposal for the remainder of fiscal year 2012 totaling $18.5 billion, and an annual budget for fiscal year 2013 totaling $19.2 billion.

Go Build Georgia

Also last week, Gov. Deal announced the launch of a new skilled labor advancement initiative, "Go Build Georgia." The program will address the skilled labor shortage in our state through public outreach designed to educate young people and the public at large about the wage, lifestyle and employment benefits in the skilled labor trades. The governor said "Go Build Georgia" will open new opportunities for our students and job seekers. Over the next year, 16,500 projected jobs will become available in the industries that rely on skilled labor. The program will assist in getting Georgians the skills they need to fill these employment opportunities. For more information, visit www.gobuildgeorgia.com.

Education Bills Advance

On Jan. 12, the House Education Committee favorably reported the following three bills:

　HB 705, which would revise the definition of direct classroom expenditures by local school districts.　

　HB 706, which would delete obsolete, unused and unnecessary provisions in state law related to elementary and secondary education.　

　HB 713, which would delay implementation of the career and college readiness requirements in K-12 schools for one year.

　All three measures now await action by the full House.

School Funding Concerns

Public education advocates in Georgia have expressed concerns about the governor's budget plan as it relates to K-12 school funding in our state, particularly a claim that the new budget "includes no reductions to QBE, Equalization Grants, State Schools or other enrollment driven programs." According to Joe Martin, executive director of the Georgia School Funding Association, "This statement would be true if the word 'further' was inserted before the word 'reductions,' but without any clarification, it creates an impression that is very misleading. It would be far more accurate to say that a formula which has not been updated for years will still be cut by more than $1 billion.　 The combined effect of an unrealistic formula and huge austerity reductions comes to about $30,000 a year for a typical class in Georgia.　 Moreover, the equalization grants, which are intended to help the least wealthy systems, will be cut by nearly half from what is intended by the current law."　　　

December Revenues

Georgia's revenue collections in December 2011 totaled $1.54 billion, a decline of 1.2 percent from the same month a year ago. It was the first month for reduced revenues recorded in a year and a half. Much of the decline came in the categories of corporate income taxes, which were down by $26 million or 17.3 percent. For the first six months of fiscal year 2012, state revenues are up by 5.2 percent over the same period last year.　

Unemployment at 9.7%

Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined for the third straight month in December, dropping to 9.7 percent, down from an adjusted 9.8 percent in November and significantly lower than the December 2010 rate of 10.4 percent. Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said, "The rate declined because 11,500 Georgians went back to work in December. Plus, we saw some increases in employment in areas that have been especially hard hit." There were 600 new construction jobs in December, and manufacturing grew by 400 jobs last month. Gov. Nathan Deal said, "This is great news for our state, particularly Georgians who have faced a tough job market for several years now. A decrease in unemployment alongside a number of other positive economic indicators suggests we are heading in the right direction."

Session Schedule

The full General Assembly was scheduled to return to the Capitol on Jan. 23 for the sixth legislative day of the session. Please continue to contact me with your views on the issues or whenever I can be of service.

Rep. Reece may be reached at 404-656-7859 or barbara.reece@house.ga.gov. Rep. Reece serves on the Education Committee, State Institutions and Properties Committee, Science and Technology Committee, and the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Committee. She is also Vice-Chair of the Rural Caucus.

Advance Rehab's Rome clinic on the move. Reaction to the president's State of the Union address. More rain, severe weather on the way?

2012-01-25T05:48:00.001-05:00

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Reaction to President Obama's State of the Union address from:
-Links to the full text of President Obama's speech.
-U.S. representatives Phil Gingrey and Tom Graves. (on today's radio show on WRGA 1470, 7-9 a.m.)
-U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson.

Advance Rehab moving Rome clinic to Midtown Crossing
-State-of-the-art feel coming to office between Staples, Shorter.

Heavy rain, perhaps severe weather on the way late Thursday, Friday.

Unity's decision to 'self-report' the eligibility issues that cost the Lions the season and the championship.

How to get refunds of your Rome Rampage tickets.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m. weekdays
-On Rome's News Talk WRGA 1470 AM; click to listen online.
-Please join our guests today including Our guests today include U.S. representatives Phil Gingrey and Tom Graves on President Obama's State of the Union report; David McLaughlin on the president's speech; Dr. Brian Carroll, Berry College communication professor, on a rough week in media; Glenn Getchell, headmaster of Unity Christian School, on the school's football decision; Jennifer Morgan and Kristy Agan on changes at the March of Dimes; and Detective Jeff Richardson on how Rome police are expanding their use of Facebook.

Three Floyd County students have been selected for the All-State band for 2012

2012-01-24T20:05:00.000-05:00

Media release: Three Floyd County students have been selected for the All-State band for 2012. Pepperell High's Candice Rittenhouse, a senior, and Caleb Cole, a sophomore, have been selected for the state honor at the high school level and Model Middle's Kelly Wheeler, an eighth-grade clarinet player, has been selected for the middle school band. The GEMA All-State Band Festival will be held March 1-3 in Savannah.

Candice Rittenhouse, the Dragon band's drum major, will play contra-alto clarinet in the All-State Symphonic Band for juniors and seniors. She has a 3.9 grade point average, played clarinet for the Northwest Georgia Winds, played with the PHS Jazz Band, the Symphonic Band, and performed in the PHS drama program. Rittenhouse has been selected for Floyd County Honor Band all four years, selected for District Honor Band for three years, selected to Jacksonville State University Honor Band for three years and Troy University Honor Band this past year. She has also participated in chorus, Key club, FBLA and the Fine Arts club at PHS. Rittenhouse served as historian for the Student Council and has been selected to the National Honors Society.

Caleb Cole will play the French horn in the Concert Band for freshman and sophomores. He has a 4.0 grade point average, participated in the PHS Jazz Band and has been selected to the District Jazz Band. Cole has been selected for All-State Chorus, the Jacksonville State University Honor Band, District Honor Band, District Honor Chorus, Floyd County Honor Band, and Floyd County Honor Chorus. Cole has also played on the PHS tennis team and he has been selected Student of the Month twice at Pepperell.

Kelly Wheeler is a high honor roll student at Model Middle School. She marched clarinet this past fall with the Model High School Marching Blue Devil Band and she has attended Jacksonville State University Honor Band, Floyd Co. Honor Bands, Seventh District Honor Band and 7th District Clinic band. Wheeler is also a member of the math team at Model Middle School.

More than 450 students from the 45 high schools just in the Northwest Georgia region auditioned for All-State Band. To earn acceptance in to All-State Band, students are required to play lyrical and technical etudes and sight-read for a panel of judges.

Rome Symphony Orchestra announces Concerto Competiton winners

2012-01-24T14:34:00.001-05:00

Media release: The Rome Symphony Orchestra has announced the winners of its second annual concerto competition, which took place in Brookes Chapel on the campus of Shorter University on Sunday, January 22.

Haley Porter from Berry College won the collegiate division for her performance of the first movement of Neruda's "Trumpet Concerto in E-flat". Porter, a music education major and junior at Berry, is a graduate of Model High School from Rome. Her trumpet instructor is Dr. Adam Hayes, assistant professor of music at Berry College.

Jessica Ahn, a student at the Georgia-Cumberland Academy in Calhoun, won the high-school division. She performed of the first movement of Ludwig von Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major" Ahn is a sophomore. She studies piano with Helen Ramsaur, retired professor of piano at Shorter College.

Both Porter and Ahn will perform their winning concerto pieces at the Rome Symphony Orchestra's spring concert at the City Auditorium on April 28.

- more -

RSO CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNERS/ add 1

" Haley and Jessica prove that Northwest Georgia has no deficit of serious talent, and we hope many people will turn out for our spring concert to hear the quality of their performances," said Barbara Beninato, president of the RSO.

A total of nine entrants competed in the RSO's concerto competition. Berry College and Shorter University were represented in the collegiate division, and entrants from Darlington School, Rome High School and Georgia-Cumberland Academy made up the high school competitors.

The competitors were judged by two judges, including the RSO's music director and conductor, Richard Pryor, who also serves as the conductor of the Emory University Orchestra and the Emory University Youth Orchestra. Ashraf Attalla, former principal clarinetist of the Cairo National Opera Orchestra, also served as judge.

More changes for Rome Rampage: no home games, new league. Calhoun screens dark? Latest politics. What's buzzing.

2012-01-24T05:53:00.001-05:00

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All-season road trip for the Rome Rampage this year
-Team gets new league, will be playing as a 'travel' team with no games at The Forum after all.

Calhoun's Carmike Martin's 3 theaters closed?

Buzzing:
-Key sports announcement brewing.
-New retailer due to be announced this week (think local).
-Jennifer Hulsey joins House 16 race as a Republican.
-GOP Primary: Tracking the Florida debate.
-Changes at Darlington
-Hot Stove Gathering lineup expands.

Your latest forecast:
-Dense fog advisory until 9 this morning.
-Tuesday: Sunny, high of 64, low of 35.
-Wednesday: 20-40% rain chance, high of 62, low of 51.
-Thursday: 80-100% chance of storms, high of 67, low 50.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m. weekdays
-On Rome's News Talk WRGA 1470 AM; click to listen online.
-Please join our guests today including Mike Dunn, general manager of the Rome Braves, on next Monday's 10th Annual Hot Stove Gathering benefitting Miracle Field; and Oscar Poole from the Florida Primary. Nelle Reagan will host our second hour today.

No. 1 Shorter men's basketball team doubles up Berry College 88-44 Monday night. Hawks
-Lady Hawks upend Lady Vikings, 102-64. Lady Hawks

Rome Braves
-Fredi Gonzalez, manager of the Atlanta Braves, to speak at 10th Annual Hot Stove Gathering Jan. 30 at The Forum.
-10th season home-opener is April 12 at State Mutual Stadium.
Shorter vs Berry Monday night in basketball.

Early registration deadline approaching for Berry Half Marathon - Feb. 18

2012-01-23T14:33:00.001-05:00

Media release: The early registration deadline for the Berry Half Marathon is quickly approaching.

Participants have their choice of three different races: the half marathon, the Viking Classic 10K and a 5K. Those who register before Jan. 28 will save $10 on registration for the half marathon and $5 on the 10k and 5k. All three races are scheduled for Saturday, Feb.18, at Berry College.

Online registration is available at www.active.com; search Berry College to access Berry's 2012 half marathon.

More than 2,100 competitors from 25 different states flocked to the world's largest college campus last year, and organizers expect an even greater turnout this year. All races feature electronic timing on courses that are certified by USA Track & Field. Both the half-marathon and the 10K are official qualifiers for Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race. There is also a one-mile fun run for children.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female overall finishers of the half marathon. All proceeds will go to Berry College Elementary and Middle School.

There will also be a Soles4Souls donation site at the marathon this year. For every pair of shoes that is donated Berry's race committee will donate $1 to assist with the shipping costs. And organizers will also be collecting finishing medals from runners (from any race they have run, not just Berry) for Medals4Mettle. The non-profit facilitates the donations of marathon, half marathon, and triathlon finishers' medals to children and adults fighting debilitating illnesses who might not be able to run a race, but are in a race to continue to live their life.

Call 706 346-6223 or email berryhalf@gmail.com for more information.

Tornado watch in effect now through 11 this morning. Continuing updates on Hometown Headlines. Plus: Chieftains plans $13 million expansion, upgrades.

2012-01-23T04:40:00.001-05:00

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TORNADO WATCH: Now until 11 a.m. for much of Northwest Georgia and most of Alabama. The leading edge of the storm system is just now approaching the Alabama-Georgia line.
-Continuing updates all morning on Hometown Headlines and please join us on Hometown Headlines: The Radio Edition on WRGA 1470 AM from 7 until 9 a.m. for storm updates as well. Click to listen online.

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia: Click here
-Chieftains Museum envisions a $13 million upgrade including an interpretive center, retrofitting the museum, more enhancements as campus grows on Riverside Parkway.
-Steel shell of Lowe's regional distribution center a sign of things to come.
-Campaign 2012 heats up with party meetings, deadlines.
-No changes for now at El Toro on Shorter Avenue.

Gas prices: Georgia prices up another four cents a gallon.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m. weekdays
-On Rome's News Talk WRGA 1470 AM; click to listen online.
-Please join our Monday guests including Berry College's Dr. Peter Lawler on the impact of the South Carolina Primary; Wendy Davis on the membership dinner this week by the Floyd County Democratic Party; and Dr. Jennifer Dickey on the Tuskegee Airmen lecture and new movie (Red Tails).

Berry, Shorter basketball tonight: Women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. Winthrop-King Center, Shorter University.

Georgia gas prices climb another four cents a gallon; at $3.41.

2012-01-22T22:36:00.001-05:00

Media release: Although retail gasoline prices inched up last week, the price of a barrel of oil closed below $100 for the second week in a row. Oil prices fell after the U.S. Energy Department reported gasoline consumption dropped to 8 million barrels a day, the lowest level since 2001. U.S. stockpiles of gasoline increased 3.7 million barrels last week to 227 million--a 10-month high. Oil prices settled Friday at $98.46 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange--24 cents less than the week prior.

"The demand fundamentals remain weak both in the U.S. and abroad, a main factor keeping oil prices below $100," said Jessica Brady, AAA spokesperson, The Auto Club Group. "China's manufacturing numbers fell for a third month and Europe's debt issues continue to place bearish pressure on the market. Retail gas prices will likely remain relatively unchanged this week as demand remains below par."

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline remains unchanged from last week at $3.38 per gallon. Florida's average price of $3.48 increased 3 cents, while Tennessee's average price of $3.27 rose 2 cents from last week. Georgia's average price of $3.40 reflects a 4-cent increase from last week, respectively.

CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

Current Week Ago Month Ago Year Ago

National: $3.385 $3.388 $3.224 $3.11647

Georgia: $3.409 $3.368 $3.118 $3.029

Tennessee: $3.278 $3.256 $3.053 $2.976

AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report (fuelgaugereport.com) is updated each day and is the most comprehensive; reflecting actual prices from credit card transactions within the past 24 hours at two-thirds (100,000 stations) of the gasoline stations in the U.S. Its accuracy is unparalleled.

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss supports delay of PROTECT I.P. Act vote

2012-01-20T15:17:00.001-05:00

Media release: U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) released the following statement today regarding Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) decision to postpone Tuesday's vote on the PROTECT I.P. Act:

"It was always clear that the PROTECT I.P. Act needed to be perfected, and that legitimate concerns needed to be addressed before this bill could move forward. Given this and my constituents concerns, it was my intention to vote against cloture of this bill. With the majority leader's decision to postpone Tuesday's vote on the PROTECT I.P. Act, I am withdrawing my co-sponsorship to await the resolution of the outstanding issues. However, I still believe that online theft is a serious issue, and that Congress does need to make certain that our laws adequately protect the interests of rights holders. When $58 billion in economic output is lost to the U.S. economy annually due to copyright theft of movies, music, packaged software and video games, and about one-quarter of all internet traffic is copyright infringing, there is a real problem that needs to be dealt with. I have complete faith that we will be able to work out a compromise in the future that addresses this problem, while still promoting free and open access to the internet."

Secretary of State Kemp: Absentee voting for presidential primary starts Jan. 21; advance voting, Feb. 13

2012-01-20T14:50:00.001-05:00

Media release: Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp reminded voters today that absentee voting by mail for the March 6, 2012 presidential preference primary will begin Saturday, January 21, 2012. Voters can request an absentee ballot through Friday, March 2, 2012.

Georgia residents must return their absentee ballot to their county election office by close of polls on Election Day, March 6, 2012. Absentee ballots cast by overseas and military voters must be postmarked on or before March 6, 2012, but will be accepted until the end of business on March 9, 2012. Voters are not required to provide a reason when requesting an absentee ballot.

Voters can obtain an absentee ballot request form from the Secretary of State's website: sos.ga.gov. The form must be completed and returned to the voter's county election office. County election office personnel can also provide absentee ballot request forms.

Citizens who are eligible to vote but have not registered may register through Monday, February 6, 2012. Voter registration forms are available on the Secretary of State's website.

In-person advance voting for the 2012 presidential preference primary will begin Monday, February 13, 2012.

Secretary Kemp reminded voters to utilize the Secretary of State's My Voter Page (MVP) voter education website before participating in the presidential preference primary. The MVP website allows voters to view their sample ballot, find the in-person advance voting locations in their county and their Election Day polling location, check their registration status, track the status of their absentee ballot, and more. The MVP website can be accessed at sos.ga.gov/mvp.

Additionally, Georgia's eligible military and overseas citizens who have requested an absentee ballot can obtain their ballot electronically for the presidential preference primary beginning January 21, 2012.

The Secretary of State's Office has created two tutorial videos that specifically address absentee ballot voting options for Georgia's military and overseas citizens. To view these videos please visit the Secretary of State's website.

To obtain a presidential primary ballot electronically, Georgia's military and overseas citizens must request an absentee ballot from their county election office, be sure to indicate a political party preference, and check the appropriate box to receive their ballot electronically. They can then log on to a secure website, print and vote their ballot, and then mail it back to their county election office. Further, military and overseas voters may receive access to absentee ballots for an entire year's election cycle, removing the need to submit multiple ballot requests.

The Secretary of State's Elections Division website also features a "Military and Overseas Voters" page that includes:

· Who qualifies as a military or overseas voter, and how to request and return an absentee ballot;

· Downloadable absentee ballot request forms;

· Contact information for your county election office; and

· Important links to state and federal voting information.

Brian Kemp has been Secretary of State since January, 2010. Among the office's wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives.

Coosa High is Academic Decathlon Wild Card

2012-01-20T13:31:00.000-05:00

Front Row: L-R: CHance Henderson, Brad Freedmen, William Moraga, Alicia Osborn, Catherine White, Barkley Wimpee, Bill Daughtry
Back Row: Randy Vice, Sean Henderson, Stephen Jones, Jason Hodge, Bryant Stewart, Layton Jones, Keilan Calderon

Media release: The Coosa High School Academic Decathlon team has been added to the state Academic Decathlon Competition as a wild card team. Coosa High placed second to Armuchee High School in this year's Floyd County Academic Decathlon. The Armuchee team automatically qualified for state but the Coosa team had to wait for competitions across the state to be completed to see if their second place finish was strong enough to reach the state level. This will be Coosa's 20th qualification for state in the last 25 years of competition. The Coosa team won eight system titles in a row from 2003 to 2010.

Coosa qualified as a wild card based on the team's overall score in the system competition. Coosa scored 16,395 in the local academic contest finishing just behind the Armuchee team's total of 17,980. Six teams across the state qualified as wild card teams this year. The state competition will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 24-25, 2012, at Gwinnett County's Berkmar High School.

The Academic Decathlon features three divisions of competition: Honors, Scholastic and Varsity. The academic contest features competitions in: language and literature, math, economics, science, music, and art. The competition also features a Super Quiz with written and oral contests. Layton Hayes, Sean Henderson and Stephen Jones paced the Coosa Eagle team in the local contest. Hayes took second place in the Honors Division while Henderson finished third. Henderson also took first place honors in math and economics. Jones tied for second in language and literature.

Coosa team members included: Chance Henderson, Brad Freedmen, William Moraga, Alicia Osborn, Catherine White, Barkley Wimpee, Sean Henderson, Stephen Jones, Jason Hodge, Bryant Stewart, Layton Jones, and Keilan Calderon. Coaches are: Bill Daughtry and Randy Vice.

Lucy Megginson named dean of Health Sciences at Georgia Highlands College

2012-01-20T11:59:00.001-05:00

Media release: Lucy Megginson, assistant professor of nursing at the University of West Georgia, has been named dean of Health Sciences at Georgia Highlands College. Megginson previously served as assistant professor of nursing at GHC from 2005 to 2010. Last year she was also an adjunct professor at Shorter University in its Study-Abroad program.

Megginson holds both a Doctor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Science in nursing from Medical University of South Carolina. She earned a Master of Science in nursing education from the University of West Georgia. She returns to Highlands with classroom and clinical experience at both the graduate and undergraduate level. While at West Georgia she helped develop a new nursing curriculum and a program for the institution's new Doctor of Education degree in nursing.

She is a member of the Southern Nursing Research Society, American Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the Christian Nurses Association, and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

Megginson has published a number of articles in professional journals, including the Journal of Nursing Education, Nurse Educator, Journal of Christian Nursing and Journal of Nursing Management. She has also volunteered actively in the Rome community. She played an integral role in the design and planning of the Free Clinic of Rome, establishing all policies and procedure and recruiting many volunteers for the organization. She has also volunteered there as a practicing nurse. She serves on the ethics committee at Floyd Medical Center.

She will be instrumental in guiding and expanding the new nursing baccalaureate degree at GHC. Describing her vision for the program, Magginson said, "We will try to build a sustainable, forward-thinking program that provides a venue for regional registered nurses to pursue professional and academic mobility to the baccalaureate level. GHC's RN to BSN program will serve as a springboard to meet the Institute of Medicine's 2010 recommendation to increase the national proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020."

Megginson said she is excited about the potential for interprofessional collaboration in both clinical and academic endeavors that make Dental Hygiene and Nursing students and faculty leaders in academic innovation in Georgia.

Megginson, who lives in Rome with her two sons Sam and Matt, will begin her duties at Georgia Highlands this summer. She takes the reins from Rebecca Maddox, who has served as interim director of nursing for the last two years and was Megginson's professional mentor in 2005. Maddox has been a fulltime member of the Georgia Highlands nursing faculty since 1991, except for several intervening years when she left to work in clinical settings.

Rome's Ryan's still open; Calhoun, Cartersville close. New, 'old' coffee shops almost open. ACC to act on fish house alcohol license. Political updates. Soggy weekend ahead

2012-01-20T05:46:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Ryan's in Rome survives cut; restaurants in Calhoun, Cartersville close
-Part of nationwide shutdown of 81 underperforming shops.

Swift & Finch to open next month; applications being accepted.

Cups & Mugs returns in the lobby of Redmond Regional by month's end; will serve Honeymoon Bakery items.

Alcohol Control Commission to hear Curlee's Fish House & Oyster Bar's big for a beer, wine, liquor pouring license Monday evening.

GPB's Georgia Traveler spends a little time with the Rome Braves tonight. The broadcast begins at 8 p.m.
-The words baseball fans have been waiting to read: Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 19.

Campaign finance reports for legislative, county, local candidates.

Musselwhite takes emeritus role with Rome International Film Festival; Mejia, Simmons now co-executive directors

Your latest weather: Inch-plus of rain on the way
-Friday: 80% rain chance, high of 57, low of 51.
-Saturday: 90% rain chance, high of 69, low of 48.
-Sunday: 30-70% rain chance, high of 63, low of 50.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m. weekdays
-On Rome's News Talk WRGA 1470 AM; click to listen online.
-Please join us Friday for Mike Morton of the Rome Tea Party on the CNN debate; Grant Wells, operator of the Chick-Fil-A at Mount Berry Square; U.S. Rep. Tom Graves on the deficit; Joe Schulman on Tellus Science Museum's newest exhibit and new year.

Hawks defeat No. 4 Southern Poly, remain No. 1 in NAIA.

Shorter vs Berry Monday night in basketball.

Rome Braves
-Fredi Gonzalez, manager of the Atlanta Braves, to speak at 10th Annual Hot Stove Gathering Jan. 30 at The Forum.
-10th season home-opener is April 12 at State Mutual Stadium.

400 fewer jobs in Floyd last month; first-time jobless claims soar 57.3%. More growth for Etowah Crossing. Cold morning, warmer, wetter weekend ahead

2012-01-19T06:02:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Jobs snapshot from December 2011
-400 fewer jobs in Floyd vs. December 2011.
-First-time jobless claims jump 57.4% vs. last month.
-State's unemployment rate drops to 9.7%

Retail:
-Rehab Techniques opens Monday in Etowah Crossing.
-Goodwill career center open house today at 1 p.m.

Politics:
-Gingrey, Graves oppose latest attempt to boost U.S. debt.
-Isakson drafts letter to Obama following Keystone decision.

Dining:
-Public Health restaurant inspection scores: Lots of lows, a few highs in Floyd, Bartow, Polk, Gordon, Chattooga counties.

Sports
-Alabama's Saban, Tech's Johnson check in with Pepperell High football stars as National Signing Day draws closer.

Your forecast: Warmer and wetter by the weekend.
-Thursday: High of 57, low of 36.
-Friday: 30-60% rain chance, high of 62, low of 53.
-Saturday: 60% rain chance, high of 68, low of 46.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, 7-9 a.m. weekdays
-On Rome's News Talk WRGA 1470 AM; click to listen online.
-Please join our guests today including Bill Byars of the Seven Hills Rotary Club on the Berry-Shorter basketball game; WSB TV anchor Justin Farmer. a Darlington grad and Friday's career day speaker; and Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

Rome Braves
-Fredi Gonzalez, manager of the Atlanta Braves, to speak at 10th Annual Hot Stove Gathering Jan. 30 at The Forum.
-10th season home-opener is April 12 at State Mutual Stadium.

Shorter men's basketball team No. 1 in NAIA

-For the first time in program history, the Shorter men's basketball team assumes the No. 1 ranking in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll. Hawks

-Jan. 19: Shorter plans 'white out' as Hawks play no. 4 Southern Poly at 8 p.m. in the Winthrop-King Centre.

Isakson to President Obama: 'Rejecting the Keystone XL Permit Hampers America's Ability to Secure Its Energy Future'

2012-01-18T21:20:00.001-05:00

Media release: U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today strongly criticized President Obama's decision to kill the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, writing in a letter to the White House that the decision is a missed opportunity to secure America's energy future and to create tens of thousands of badly needed jobs for Americans.

As part of the payroll tax bill passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by the president in December 2011, President Obama was required to act on the Keystone XL permit within 60 days. Obama today said his administration has rejected the application for a construction permit for the proposed pipeline even though the states through which the pipeline would run had Ok'd it.

Isakson has been a strong proponent of the Keystone XL pipeline and co-sponsored legislation to force the Obama administration to issue a construction permit for the Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days. Isakson also sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to express his strong objections when the administration last year initially postponed a decision on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline until after the 2012 election.

The full text Isakson's letter to President Obama is below.

January 18, 2012

The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing to respectfully express my strong objection to your decision today to reject the permit for the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Rejecting the Keystone XL permit hampers America's ability to secure its energy future, and I urge you to reconsider your decision and instead approve the permit application.

As you know a requirement that you act on the Keystone XL permit within 60 days was contained in the payroll tax bill passed by the House and Senate at the end of last year. As you also know the State Department received the Keystone XL environmental permit application in September 2008, and has been reviewing it since then. Prior to passage of the 60 day provision, you had announced that you were postponing a decision on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline until after the 2012 election, and specifically to the first quarter of 2013. In your statement today, you said that rejecting the pipeline "is not a judgment on the merits of the pipeline, but the arbitrary nature of a deadline that prevented the State Department from gathering the information necessary to approve the project and protect the American people." Congress wisely recognized that the State Department has had more than three years to review the permit application, and then acted in a bipartisan manner to ensure that you were compelled to take action without further delay on a permit of such critical importance to America's national security and energy security.

As you know the proposed 1,711-mile pipeline would carry energy extracted from Canada's oil sands to refineries on the Gulf Coast and in Oklahoma. In its December 2010 study, the Department of Energy found that imports of heavy crude from Venezuela and Mexico are declining and the Keystone XL pipeline is necessary to offset those declines. The study also found that stranded Bakken crude in Montana and North Dakota would be able to be transported to major American refineries. Additionally, an Environmental Impact Study completed in August of this year by the State Department found that the pipeline would have minimal environmental impact. Energy extracted from the Canadian oil sands and sent to Houston's refineries would supply 500,000 barrels per day of oil and create over 13,000 jobs in the United States. Almost 900 companies based in the United States are exporting supplies and equipment to the Canadian oil sands because they see the potential the Canadian oil sands provide.

Other nations also see the vast energy potential in Canada. China, for example, has made an $11 billion investment in Canada's energy production. On the day when your Administration was announcing a delay of more than one year in deciding on the Keystone XL permit, news reports indicated that Canada's natural resources minister was in Asia to discuss more investment by China in Canada's energy fields. In October, Sinopec, which is majority-owned by the Chinese government, bought Canada's Daylight Energy for $2.2 billion, and last year Sinopec also spent $4.65 billion for a 9 percent stake in ConocoPhillips' Syncrude oil sands project in Alberta. In July, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, which is wholly owned by the Chinese government, bought the Canadian oil company OPTI for $2 billion. Chinese oil companies are taking positions in Canada because they see the potential long-term energy security in these oil sands developments. Delaying or rejecting the permitting of the Keystone XL pipeline ensures that developing nations such as China will continue to buy up more of the world's energy supply. Canada is one of our closest allies and is our largest trading partner. As we work to reduce American dependency on oil from the Middle East and other volatile regions, it makes sense to expedite, not delay, the Keystone XL pipeline and to partner with Canada in a mutually beneficial way to help develop Canada's energy resources.

Reports in The New York Times and The Washington Post had indicated that your original decision to delay action on this issue until 2013 may have been influenced by electoral politics relating to your reelection campaign. Since there is no apparent environmental or security reason to halt approval of this permit, I would hope that the politics of the 2012 election played no role in your decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline permit. Now more than ever is the time we should be developing and exploring all of America's energy resources, ensuring America's energy security, creating jobs for the American people, and stimulating the American economy. Instead we have moratoria on abundant oil and gas resources in our coastal waters and, with the exception of a few recent permits issued in 2011, the Gulf of Mexico as well as the Arctic. We also have a ban on recovering energy from areas in our Western states where scientists estimate that oil shale reserves could be three times as much as the amount of oil in Saudi Arabia.

Demand from developing nations such as China and India is dramatically increasing and supplies are facing regional instability from events in places such as Egypt, Libya, Iran, and Iraq. Your administration should work to be an ally, and not an impediment, in the effort to secure America's energy future. I strongly and respectfully urge you to reject the influence of outside interest groups that oppose the pipeline, to work instead to immediately increase America's energy security, to strengthen ties with one of America's strongest allies, and to create jobs in America by reversing the decision you made today and approving the Keystone XL pipeline. I appreciate your consideration of my views and stand ready to work with you in any way possible.

Respectfully,

Johnny Isakson
United States Senator

###

Graves Opposes President Obama's Request for Increase in Debt Ceiling

2012-01-18T21:17:00.001-05:00

Media release: U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-09) issued the following statement after voting for H.J. Res. 98. The resolution resolves that the House of Representatives, along with the Senate, disapproves of President Obama's exercise of authority to increase the debt limit by $1.2 trillion. The President's request is the second debt limit increase tranche provided by the Budget Control Act. It would increase the national debt to a total of $16.394 trillion. Rep. Graves voted against the Budget Control Act last August. The national debt currently stands at $15.194 trillion.

"President Obama's spending spree in three short years now accounts for almost one-third of the national debt. It's the most rapid increase in debt by any U.S. President. This is a catastrophic record. The nation's debt level has recently reached disturbing milestone: It is now as big as the entire US economy. It's another stark warning that America can't continue spending at the current pace."

"Washington still lacks the collective will to see the error of our ways. The determination to make significant spending cuts still does not exist. Unless we start making tough choices now on spending cuts, this nation will reach a point where we have no choice. The choice will be made for America by our debt-holders, and we won't like the result. The days of living beyond our means and frittering away our children's and grandchildren's futures must come to an end."

GNTC selected Hellen Conally as 2012 EAGLE

2012-01-18T17:05:00.001-05:00

The 2012 EAGLE selection committee is proud to announce that Hellen Conally, Walker County, has been chosen to represent Georgia Northwestern Technical College at this year's EAGLE Leadership Institute in Atlanta.

Conally was chosen from a field of six other Exceptional Adult Georgians in Literacy Education (EAGLEs) to attend this year's event.

Conally came to the Adult Education Center in Rossville because she needed her high school equivalency diploma (GED®) in order to continue her work with children. She is currently enrolled as a student at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Her ultimate goal is to earn a bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She has explained that her goals became bigger when she earned her GED Diploma.

At the EAGLE Leadership Institute, Conally, and her nominating instructor, Marianne Weddle, will attend workshops and training sessions focused on increasing leadership, communication, and life management skills. The event is also designed to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of each of the EAGLE delegates.

The EAGLE program is designed to spotlight adults who have used the opportunities provided by adult education to move forward with their education. All EAGLES (Exceptional Adult Georgians in Literacy Education) serve as ambassadors for the adult education programs they attended. The Leadership Institute provides further training in enhancing the effective use of adult education to further personal growth, educational attainment, safe and stable families, economic development, and community involvement.

Adult Education is accepting new students now. For further information, contact Jim Fowler at GNTC's Walker County Campus, 706-764-3564; or Susan Hackney at the Floyd County Campus, 706-295-6972. There are learning center sites in Cedartown, Lafayette, Ringgold, Rockmart, Rock Spring, Rome, Rossville, Summerville, and Trenton.