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For many years, Christmas was prime time for HARRY MUSSELWHITE, the longtime senior lecturer in music at BERRY COLLEGE and one of the most popular voices in Northwest Georgia. He moved to New Mexico six years ago where he's stayed very busy in the music, acting and the production business as well as becoming a podcast mainstay. On Thursday, we arranged for Harry to join us to update friends in Northwest Georgia on his multiple passions (he filmed an episode of the PEACOCK NETWORK'S new now streaming) as well as started another business. We spent nearly 19 minutes reconnecting with Harry who, as always, is both informative and entertaining. While much of the chat is about acting and music production, you'll hear some great takes on Northwest Geogia, on NELLE REAGAN'S famous "gang's all here" Christmas episodes, one of Harry's favorite Berry traditions and some other local memories (and names).
THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS LABOR DAY BARBECUE returns Monday, Sept. 6, to the Rome Civic Center with some key changes to keep guests and volunteers safe. MEL THOMAS, the grand knight of the KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 4410 http://www.facebook.com/kofcromega of ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH http://www.smcrome.org/, and barbecue co-chair JIM POWELL join Hometown's JOHN DRUCKENMILLER to talk about staging one of Rome's culinary highlights.
A quick summary of the impact of the first round of storms at midday Thursday, including hard-hit Cedartown, and a look at what forecasts expect tonight and overnight.
The last time we did a podcast, FORMER FLOYD COUNTY SHERIFF TIM BURKHALTER and the ROME GA. CARES crew had boots on the ground in Louisiana helping hurricane victims there. We actually did a "pregame" and "on the ground" series of podcasts which became the most listened to in our first season. And it was a great first season with more than 47,500 "listens." NOW WE'RE PREPARING FOR SEASON TWO -- AND IT WILL BE DIFFERENT. Our goal is to add video for those who prefer to see some faces and maybe some images. We'll do that by using Zoom technology, which allows us to interview area newsmakers using the safest COVID protocols. We'll record these ZOOM interviews and make them available on our NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL. You'll also be able to listen to the broadcasts in more traditional podcast formats such as on ANCHOR, APPLE and all the others. The broadcasts will be available via one quick click from our websites as well as all our social media. Our second season is part of our celebrating 17 years of http://www.hometownheadlines.com. Our website went live on Jan. 28, 2004, and we weren't sure we'd be around to celebrate 17 weeks much less 17 years. We thank you and our advertisers for making that possible. We'll get back to work learning more about the Zoom options and making it all work on YouTube and the podcast platforms. Stay tuned.
A caravan of hurricane relief supplies, donated by Floyd County residents for victims of Hurricane Laura, left our area on Monday, Sept. 21, for the hard-hit community of Beauregard Parish. On Wednesday, we talked with BEAUREGARD SHERIFF MARK HERFORD https://www.facebook.com/beauregardsheriff about the storm itself (gusts of 140-145 mph), extensive damage (28,000 structures, minor to major) and the loss of basic power and water services in the storm's wake. Herford says the community is recovering and was so appreciative of the trucks filled with relief supplies collected from Rome and Floyd County to help his community. The ROME GA CARES https://www.facebook.com/RomeGaCares team remains on the ground, distributing cleaning gear, fans, water and treats for the kids -- even as the remnants of another storm, Beta -- trigger new flood concerns there. The Rome team is doing fine, SHERIFF TIM BURKHALTER says -- adding that they're getting to taste a whole lot of boudin (a sausage-like specialty) and other local cooking during their breaks.
FLOYD COUNTY SHERIFF TIM BURKHALTER joins us to talk about the seventh mission of Rome Ga Cares, this time to BEAUREGARD PARISH, LA., to help the community recover after being devastated by Hurricane Laura. After speaking with BEAUREGARD SHERIFF MARK HERFORD, Burkhalter says the community is in major need of Box fans, tarps, infant care (diapers, food, formula), small toys or stuffed animals for children, and cleaning supplies to fill the buckets we will be taking them. You can drop off those donations at two locations now through Sept. 18, at NORTH ROME CHURCH OF GOD off Broad Street, or PLEASANT VALLEY SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH. Volunteers will unload it from your vehicle from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The final day to donate is Sept. 18 and crews will leave Sept. 21 to distribute relief items. You're also welcome to donate $75 for a cleaning kit or whatever amount you'd like. To do so, click the sheriff's website/Rome Ga Cares http://www.floydsheriff.com/romegacares/. Burkhalter and Rome Ga Cares already have assisted six other communities hit by hurricanes in recent years, from Texas to Florida to North Carolina. He commend the community's giving spirit and said Rome/Floyd County has developed a strong reputation of helping others in need.
Record hospital admissions. Enduring the second deadliest month of the pandemic (with two days to go). Soaring positive test results. And some still want to use our students as political collateral? That choice is yours. Our "leaders" have had six months -- half a year -- to respond to the pandemic. They failed. Do what's best for your child.
For five blistering days, most of what we heard about was face coverings -- also known as masks. Yes votes, no votes, "education," "marketing plans," litigation, masks having some imaginary connection to the state's economy and for reasons that should be criminal -- politics as well. All over as simple a thing as trying to save lives -- our own, our friends, our family, our community. By Friday, most of us were numb and confused. The adults needed to take control. They did so in such a way that any executive order signed by a one-term governor trying to bully local governments would have the impact of a dying fly. The private sector stood up and won't be seated any time soon. Starting with STARBACKS and later including WALMART, SAM'S CLUB, KROGER, PUBLIX, TARGET, KOHL'S, LOWE'S and HOME DEPOT, some of the biggest names in retail make it easy for all to understand: Wear a mask or stay out of our stores. By midday Friday, HARBIN CLINIC http://www.harbinclinic.com/ did the same, requiring all patients and visitors to all offices to wear masks during the entirety of their stay. We expect others to follow. And soon. Does the private sector have the clout? You bet. Now's the time for the locals, the moms-and-pops to step up as well.
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ Rant of the Day: Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes to our Hometown community: After today, we reducing our rants, newscasts and podcasts. They're not going away; we're just doing fewer of them. We already have two podcasts scheduled for later this month. And on Facebook, we're retiring our Hometown Headlines page and switching to a Hometown group. We've been swamped with toxic comments in recent months that we don't care to read or edit. Under this new format, we'll be able to put those comments in a collective time out while still serving our readers and advertisers. Both changes are effect Friday. We're not going anywhere; we have much more on the way.
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: WHAT TIME IS IT? CRYIN' TIME. Few were surprised to hear the 2020 Rome Braves season was officially canceled -- as well as that of 159 other teams in North America. What makes this even sadder: At least 40 communities will see their teams lose Major League affiliation by year's end. Some will go away. Others will be hammered by pandemic-related losses. The Rome Braves are "safe" and are due to return in 2021 to a recently upgraded stadium. But that is not helping the fans who made State Mutual Stadium their home each spring and summer. Add in the economic blow to Floyd County and it really hits home.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ Rant of the Day: "Upon further review ..." Keep a sharp eye on your sports feeds in coming days -- even if you don't like what you're about to read. Or hear. So what have we seen and heard -- all from reputable news and sports media? __ __ So who do we blame? We see it as a rushing penalty. Too many governors, Georgia's included, preached the need to reopen our state. On Monday, Brian Kemp extended the state's public health emergency until Aug. 11. That includes much-less stringent social distancing rules as well. He's busy taking selfies with him wearing a mask and urging Georgians to do the same. That's way short of what other governors are doing -- ordering masks if you're in public. And yet, the sports machines of America continue to hype the hype about sports being back. Yes, but so is the coronavirus.
TODAY'S FIRST HEADLINES: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: A DIFFERENT WAY TO CELEBRATE THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE. So how do we celebrate Independence Day this year? The spirit certainly is willing but the options for what helps make it all magical -- the time spent with family, friends and neighbors, from parades to fireworks to picnics and trips to the lakes and rivers -- are limited. RIDGE FERRY PARK will not be the base for the community celebration we're used to although ROME-FLOYD PARKS AND RECREATION and sponsor REDMOND REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER promise to light up the sky for a good 20 minutes that night. (One of the best seats in the past? Atop the parking deck by Town Green). The day-long celebration in Cartersville is on hold this year as is Calhoun's star-spangled extravaganza. The Rockwell-like community parade in Cave Spring is a go, with social distancing precautions and all, but will people turn out to march or watch? And will the homemade ice cream be served? A three-hour event is planned in downtown Rome -- including prayer, songs and a citizens parade -- but who will show up, especially in 90-plus degree heat and a thunderstorm threat? Will everyone be wearing masks? Will we social distance? And, if not, will we pay a price with more positive test results in mid-July? On the day we celebrate our freedom, we're likewise supposed to be observing vital health restrictions to limit the spread of coronavirus. Perhaps America in 2020 has to learn about new types of sacrifice. But that doesn't mean we can't come up with new ways to celebrate as well. After all, look what a Cave Spring parent did to both educate and entertain her young sons 35 years ago. Today, it is perhaps the most nostalgic thing we do in Northwest Georgia. It doesn't matter how you celebrate; just remember what we're celebrating.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ ADVERTISING: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: TIME TO BE ADULTS AGAIN WITH COVID-19. Easily half if not more of us checked out of the coronavirus pandemic almost two months ago. We've heard all the reasons why: __ __ We understand; we're tired of it, too. It adds a few extra hours to our work day. We don't leave home these days without a wallet, car keys, cell phone -- and mask. There are extra masks in the car as well. If we dine out, it is cafe-style only. Church is drive-in or tune-in (Facebook Live). By our estimate, under 30 percent of us are using masks in public -- if that many. Even the more vulnerable older population is easing up on recommended use. We doubt strict hygiene practices are still being observed. Even the grocery shelves have disinfectant again -- and toilet paper. The meat cases are full, the peanut butter section is packed and except for those directional signs on some store floors, it is mostly business as usual from late February 2020. Except for one thing: The pandemic never left and, instead, is spreading faster than before. We've now seen three consecutive days of 1,700-plus new coronavirus cases in Georgia. Before this week, the record was 857 cases in a single day, set on April 13. Exactly what are we all going to do about it?
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: STOP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S VOTER SUPPRESSION BILL. You knew it was coming. Given the overwhelming success of the primary absentee ballot push -- in terms of voter health protection and turnout -- some pencil head in the GENERAL ASSEMBLY would try to stop it from happening again. According to Thursday's https://epaper.ajc.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=7e8dc4e9-184f-46b3-ace3-d97bd94c3eb7&pbid=8e0858ee-1443-484d-9e94-f8b8a1eaaaff&utm_source=app.pagesuite&utm_medium=app-interaction&utm_campaign=pagesuite-epaper-html5_share-article, a House committee wants to stop Republican SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD RAFFENSPERGER -- or anyone else for that matter -- from sending voters absentee ballot applications. The idea: To add a few roadblocks to those hoping to continue to voting from home. Raffensperger mass mailed more than 6.9 million applications earlier this year amid growing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The threat already had delayed one primary in Georgia and the health risk was growing, especially for one of the state's most active voter bases -- those of us 60 and older. It was an unqualified success across the state and in Northwest Georgia. More than 1.1 million people voted by absentee. Hundreds of thousands of people avoided potential infection by voting either by mail or else delivering ballots in conveniently placed "drop boxes" in Georgia counties. Floyd County had two such boxes; Bartow had five. But now voter suppressionists in the state House are whining about long voter lines on June 9, alleged voter fraud opportunities and a late vote count as their reasons to prevent another mass mailing. Heck, we're used to late vote counts in Floyd County so what's the issue? Never mind that Georgia is recording a surge in new coronavirus cases each day this week and we have runoff elections on Aug. 11 as well as a general election on Nov. 3. The real reason? Probably because of a surge in Democratic votes in the primary.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: PSSST --THE HATE CRIMES BILL PASSED. Just before dinner on Tuesday evening, this release arrived from state Rep. VERNON JONES, a Democrat from Lithonia which is way away from Northwest Georgia. It was his take on the passage of House Bill 426. “The Georgia House of Representatives voted 127-38 for the hate crimes bill today. It was a good step forward in the right direction although my amendment, which would have included political ideology, party affiliation and freedom of speech as protected classes, was not included in the final version of House Bill 426. I was still proud to support and vote ‘yes’ for this hate crimes legislation.” That was followed by a Tweet -- and nothing more -- from GOV. BRIAN KEMP'S press team that reads: "@GovKemp https://twitter.com/GovKemp commends the General Assembly’s bipartisan work and will sign House Bill 426 pending legal review." Twelve hours later, at 7 a.m. Wednesday, that is the collective response we've received on state lawmakers finally stepping up and joining most of the other 50 states in putting a "hate crimes" bill on the books -- again, pending Kemp's signature. So where are the normal self-accolades from our elected leaders on this one? And why was the Northwest Georgia legislative delegation so split on passing it?
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: SOLUTION FOR DOWNTOWN CONCERNS -- SEX AND ALCOHOL? The under card from Monday night's ROME CITY COMMISSION meeting was Broad Street, particularly concerns about recent events, both real and another under continuing review. One was a pretty savage beating that involved knives; the other -- at least excessive speeding but perhaps not the incident as originally stated as there is no video from it or witnesses to support it. Throughout the meeting, Broad Street issues continued to be mentioned. But the kicker was the closer when Mayor Bill Collins implied that Commissioner Mark Cochran was perhaps interfering with police as he monitored downtown protests? All the while, there was no immediate action taken to address rising downtown safety concerns. Other than committee review which take forever. So we suggest they somehow find a way to blend another so-called sex shop relocation into downtown neighborhoods or even open containers of alcohol into the mix. That will get some reaction from the City Commission, for sure. We have a statewide image to maintain, after all.
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: What dad needs this Father's Day ain't on a shelf. We have a few different gift suggestions for dad this year. That new grill is fine, thank you. So, too, a rare bottle of bourbon or a case of one of the thousands of craft beers or even "seltzers" premiering by the day. Ties? Well, maybe not this year because they'll go unused unless there's some important meeting on Zoom next week. Just be sure pop doesn't stand up during that video conference, revealing the matching boxer shorts. This year, give dad something else: The gifts of grace and a chaser of peace as well. He needs both as 2020 continues to be the year from hell. That pandemic that chased many of us indoors isn't going away, no matter how Trump or Kemp try to spin it. There are safety concerns for the family at home and away on top of economic challenges some have never faced before. Race relations are at a critical crossroads, from George Floyd to Atlanta to major companies that can't "ban" some of their more popular brands fast enough -- moves that should have been made 50 years ago. Today, they're basically publicity stunts. Add to that politics -- federal, state and local -- that are so disgusting that you'd think someone forgot to flush the toilet. And we still have a week or more left in June and then July, August, September and October, edging into November. Whatever you do, give dad no sympathy. We still have our man card, thank you. Today's dads are being tested in ways they've never imagined. What makes them a dad is how they react and overcome all these challenges.
THE FASTEST 90 SECONDS OF NEWS IN THE NATION: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: For much of Wednesday, Northwest Georgia's dirty laundry flapped in the breeze in front of national and world followers of the influential political website There was MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE under the headline about a congressional candidate being condemned by ranking fellow Republicans (background https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/17/house-republicans-condemn-gop-candidate-racist-videos-325579). Politico had reviewed hours of earlier rants from Greene and labeled them “racist, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic views.” While major news on the national political scene -- shocking enough to dominate Politico's home page -- it was old news in political circles in Northwest Georgia. Early on, when Greene was pivoting from the Sixth Congressional District to run in the 12 counties of Northwest Georgia, links to those Facebook rants and conspiracy theories and such were shuffled one email at a time. There were some whispers out there and the local Republican Party was pretty split from some of it but the campaigns rolled on. Greene still captured 40-plus percent of all the votes cast on June 9. She carried 11 of 12 counties and didn't do that poorly in Floyd County, hometown of her now-runoff challenger DR. JOHN COWAN. Unless Cowan can pivot -- and quickly -- in those other 11 counties, Greene will be the nominee. And she'll probably finish with two thirds of the final vote in November against Democrat KEVIN VAN AUSDAL, maybe even more. That's despite the national audience that read the Politico piece. Or the CNN column on her QAnon leanings. Or the coverage just before the final primary vote about her gun-totting ad being too sensitive for Facebook. Now it is headlined across the nation once again. The question is: What is Northwest Georgia going to do about it?
A closer look at our headlines today including: __ __
In addition to the fastest 90 seconds of news in the nation, we rant about: __ __
The local tourism office describes MYRTLE HILL as "one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the nation," sitting above "the confluence of the Etowah, Oostanaula and Coosa rivers." Guests are invited to "come explore its six terraces and rich history – and visit the place where Romans rest." Indeed, some 20,000 people are buried or interred there, now including the mausoleum added a few years ago. Once the site of a fort, Myrtle Hill again is something of a battleground, this time over efforts to move the statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest from a prime spot overlooking South Broad Street and South Rome to a location to be named later. Just when and where -- or even if -- have yet to be decided. The city, for now, says the decision is out of local hands, this time because of state law. Maybe not as shown by a Decatur judge last week. The Community Development Committee, perhaps with citizens' assistance, will study the true biography of Forrest -- racist executioner or savior of Rome -- and look at omitted black history as well. We're talking months here, if not more. Another solution that has been recommended is at least shifting the Forrest monument to the Civil War section of Myrtle Hill. But let's go a little deeper on Myrtle Hill, namely current upkeep. We're seeing two Myrtle Hills -- the well-kept sections fronting South Broad and Branham and then those in the back with a limb over a headstone, overgrown grass and weeds and other disrepair. Area residents and those buried at Myrtle Hill deserve much better.
As state lawmakers assemble in Atlanta next week, all eyes are on mandated budget cuts because of the impact the coronavirus safeguards have had on Georgia's economy. So far at least, those cuts will hit the state PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT and other areas, a move that could wipe out many of the services offered by the NORTHWEST GEORGIA REGIONAL CANCER COALITION https://www.nwgacancer.org/. ERIN HERNANDEZ, the president and chief executive officer of the cancer coalition, joined JOHN DRUCKENMILLER of HOMETOWN HEADLINES http://www.hometownheadlines.comto talk about the proposed cuts, their impact and what the community can do to convince lawmakers to maintain key services -- programs needed more than ever because of record unemployment and other hardships. We'll have a list of area lawmakers and others on our story accompanying this report on our website http://www.hometownheadlines.com.
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ Rant of the Day: Tweet opens open wounds in Rome. Let's talk about something dividing our communities. It involves a text that arrived from a colleague in Cartersville on Wednesday evening. It was a forward of a Tweet from one of the nation's more recognized sports journalists who was fed up with all the racial issues. Her tweet included a video of a demonstration by hate groups in Rome. A quick check confirmed it was from that rally downtown five years ago and not in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. It didn't matter: the original Tweeter posted it, named Rome, Ga., had no time stamp and here it was being shared by millions of people using the Tweeter machine. We sent the sports journalist a note telling her the images were old and that the very same event helped spawn One Community United and other groups opposing racism and hatred. It was still there at last check and some 6.2 million people -- and counting -- had viewed it. That's not a surprise as the journalist has 1.2 million followers of her own. But that's troubling. And it comes a week after a vendor was photographed sitting on top of a Rome Police Department motorcycle and decided to use a photo of that opportunity as he exposed his support for the KKK. Once again, Rome, Ga. Add the Forrest monument debate to all this and we've got work to do. We just wish the Tweeter machine would include the efforts of One Community United and others when it comes to healing racism and hatred. Maybe that's possible, one Tweet at a time.
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: Make that Madam Congresswoman. Technically, MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE is two elections and around five months away from being the next person to represent Northwest Georgia in Congress. That's a lot of days, especially in political years. But the only thing that can keep her from going to Washington, D.C., in January is Marjorie Taylor Greene. She carried county after county in Northwest Georgia even though a year ago she called Alpharetta home. Before 2020, did she know the difference between Armuchee and Subligna? Doesn't matter; voters in those communities and many others knew her when they cast their ballots. Two men could stop her -- fellow Republican DR. JOHN COWAN, a thoroughbred neurosurgeon who likewise calls himself a serial entrepreneur, and Democrat KEVIN VAN AUSDAL in the Nov. 3 general election. Cowan stands a better chance but not by much. For him to win, he'll have to totally flip his campaign. She out Trumped him, out gunned him and even embarrassed him on his home turf of Northwest Georgia. He can try to come across as the tough, new sheriff in town but he's running against the 21st Century reincarnation of ANNIE OAKLEY and she's about to whiz right past him. Sure, a lot could happen before Nov. 3 but for right now, get ready to address Marjorie Taylor Greene as madam congresswoman.
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: OF PRIMARIES, PROTESTS AND PANDEMICS. Today's election experience will be unique with mandated social distancing, plenty of masks, lots of hand sanitizer and more precautions. The hope is that voters don't spread potential coronavirus among themselves, poll workers and elections officials. The concern is real as we've seen from the community spread at the Floyd County Courthouse. Of even greater concern: Potential spread at last weekend's protests in Rome and gatherings set for this weekend. A negative outcome could mean a very long summer as well as a chaotic fall for our schools.
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia. __ __
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ Rant of the Day: Remembering a star-spangled Georgia legend. It was on a random trip to Blue Ridge by way of Ellijay years ago when we discovered COL. OSCAR T. POOLE. An official Kentucky colonel, the founder of Poole's Bar-B-Q also was a man of the cloth and a statesman as well. A staunch Republican, he often wore his patented yellow suit and Uncle Sam hat onto the floor of GOP conventions. He drew national and international attention and, in turn, made friends across the nation and the world. Oscar knew what he was doing with his suit and hat -- drawing attention. But once he had that journalist or camera crew or temporary strangers on the hook, there was no letting go. By sheer personality, Oscar won them over. And then there was the barbecue palace itself. Many rising Georgia politicians knew they needed to make the pilgrimage to Poole's Bar-B-Q to get Oscar's blessing. A few presidential contenders stopped by as well. It was like the days in Rome when THE PARTRIDGE was a requirement for those on the campaign trail. On Wednesday, there was another gathering at Poole's Bar-B-Q as friends and family watched a horse-drawn carriage escort the casket of the man who grew from his Central Florida roots to become a Georgia legend. Yes, it was out of respect for their friend. And perhaps to say thank you for all he did.
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: OF PRIMARY CONCERN ... More than 25,000 voters in Northwest Georgia already had made their choices in the twin primaries scheduled for this coming Tuesday, June 9. That doesn't count all the votes that have occurred since Monday, either at advance voting locations or via absentees returned by mail, drop box or drop off. Those are numbers to celebrate and we've yet to open a single precinct. That turnout is especially appreciated as the primaries -- plural -- of 2020 have been seemingly lost in the headlines. With one of the meatiest ballots in recent years -- the Floyd sheriff's race, a surprise contest for court clerk, an in-party challenge to a longtime House member and all the commotion over the House seat Tom Graves is giving up -- this was supposed to be an all-star edition of Campaign 2020 with the presidential sweepstakes yet to come in November. Instead, it is relatively quiet. There are a few last-minute panic posts popping up but, all in all, it has been quiet. And here's where it gets to be a primary concern. The next sheriff of Floyd County will have a voice in community relations and incarceration of suspects. State lawmakers will have painful decisions to make about expenditures with depleted resources. The next person to represent Northwest Georgia in Congress will enter a federal government more divided than ever with trillions in debts, mounting pandemic deaths and a very divided America. While we're thrilled by the turnout to date thanks to absentee and advance voting, we ask this: Please take time to vote -- whether it be advance, absentee or in-person. More than ever, your voice, your choice, needs to be heard between now and Tuesday night. Please make it happen
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: Who decides what you know? There was a potential situation in downtown Rome Sunday night, enough to prompt "standby" operations and precautions. Thankfully, it was a false tip. But you didn't know that. So who exactly makes that call? We're not exactly sure, either. If there's a potential threat -- again, enough to mobilize police and firefighters and to turn the lights on in the Emergency Operations Center -- then the public needs to know. What was staged Sunday night slipped through our fingers. It won't happen again. We deem such alerts to be the same as advance word of potential severe weather. You deserve to know, especially if you need to be away from home for any reason.
TODAY' S HEADLINES: __ __ RANT OF THE DAY: Of pandemics and protests. On Saturday, we talked with MAYOR BILL COLLINS as well as RICK STEVENSON, an anchor in ONE COMMUNITY UNITED https://onecommunityunited.org/, a group formed five years ago to combat hate. Collins praised those protesting outside City Hall for keeping it peaceful. Stevenson talked about ongoing dialogues and a bid this week to talk with area pastors and ministers about expanding peacekeeping efforts. One Community, like other organizations, had a quiet spring because of the pandemic. Unity efforts didn't stop; just some of the small group meetings were on hold. And now, amid that pandemic, One Community and other local groups are expanding their voices in hopes of keeping it peaceful in Rome and Floyd County. There is a long summer ahead with a lot of unknowns. We're fortunate to have One Community United already in place. We're likewise lucky to have city commissioners willing to camp out on Broad Street into the night to monitor local conditions. Our job now is to get their collective message spread throughout the community even as we cope with an ongoing pandemic. We think Northwest Georgia can accept and surpass both challenges.
