95.7 The Ridge » News & Weather

NEW ARMUCHEE CONNECTOR OPENS TO TRAFFIC

Elizabeth Davis — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:21:47 +0000

The new Armuchee Connector opened to motorists yesterday morning. A ribbon cutting was held before it officially opened to traffic. The Armuchee Connector is a 2006 SPLOST project. The 2.1 mile road runs from State Mutual Stadium to US 27 near Old Summerville Road.

HIGHLAND RIVERS CENTER WORKING TO ASSIST THOSE NO LONGER SERVED BY NWGA REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Elizabeth Davis — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:21:15 +0000

Highland Rivers Center in Rome has been working to assist those no longer served by Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital, which closed back at the end of September. Highland Rivers serves individuals suffering from mental illness, developmental disabilities and addiction. The organization’s CEO, Jason Bearden, says that Highland Rivers has not necessarily seen an uptick in clientele following the closure of Northwest Regional but the acuity of their problems appears greater.

BERRY COLLEGE ALUMNI WEEKEND/WORK WEEK BEGINS TODAY

Elizabeth Davis — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:20:36 +0000

Berry College will hold its Alumni Weekend and Work Week today thru next Friday, May 25^th. According to a Berry media release, more than 800 people are expected to turn out for the festivities.

BLACK BEAR SPOTTED IN ROME

Elizabeth Davis — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:24:01 +0000

A black bear was spotted in Rome today around Turner McCall Boulevard at Riverside Parkway near the Rome-Floyd Library and Ridge Ferry Park. The bear, which is said to weigh around 350 pounds, has now apparently fled into to the woods. It was first spotted around the Law Enforcement Center in downtown Rome. Law enforcement officers, animal control officials and the Georgia DNR were on the scene investigating the incident. The walking trail at Ridge Ferry Park was closed for a time as a precautionary measure. More information is to come…

UNEMPLOYMENT DECLINES IN GEORGIA TO 8.9 PERCENT

Elizabeth Davis — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:16:28 +0000

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler has announced that Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined for the ninth straight month in April to 8.9 percent, the first time in more than three years that the rate has dropped below nine percent. The rate was down from 9.0 percent in March. Georgia’s jobless rate stood at 9.8 percent in April 2011.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL MOVED FROM AUGUST 1ST TO AUGUST 8TH FOR FLOYD COUNTY SCHOOLS

Elizabeth Davis — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:15:53 +0000

The Floyd County Board of Education has approved a revised calendar for next school year that changes the start date for students from August 1^st to August 8^th. According to a Floyd County Schools media release, Superintendent Dr. Lynn Plunkett made a motion to change the start date for the school year in order to save jobs and important school programs, a motion that was unanimously approved by the school board. The change will also remove three additional work days from the calendar for employees that will be taken from teacher planning days in the calendar. Local schools will determine which days will be taken for the three additional reduced work days at the local schools.

BERRY COLLEGE COMMUNICATION PROFESSOR PICKS UP TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Elizabeth Davis — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:15:12 +0000

Berry College Communication Professor Kathy Brittain Richardson has been named “Teacher of the Year” by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Small Programs Interest Group. According to a Berry media release, Richardson will be honored in August at the Association’s annual meeting in Chicago.

BATTLE OF RESACA REENACTMENT SET FOR THIS WEEKEND

Elizabeth Davis — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:10:38 +0000

The Eighth Regiment Band will team up with members of the Cherokee Artillery this Saturday and Sunday, May 19^th and 20^th to perform at the reenactment of the Battle of Resaca. It is a part of regional events to commemorate the 150^th anniversary (or sesquicentennial) of the Civil War. John Carruth, Director of the Eighth Regiment Band, says that the Battle of Resaca was an important one. It took place in Resaca, which is just outside of Calhoun. Carruth says the Battle of Resaca was the biggest of the Civil War in the state of Georgia, in terms of the number of participants.

FIRST LADY SANDRA DEAL ADDRESSES LEADERSHIP ROME GRADUATES

Elizabeth Davis — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:10:08 +0000

Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal paid a visit to Rome yesterday evening. She was the guest speaker at the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Rome XXIX graduation dinner at Rome’s ECO Center at Ridge Ferry Park. Some 29 local leaders graduated from this year’s Leadership Rome class.

ASSESSMENT NOTICES IN THE MAIL

Elizabeth Davis — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:09:42 +0000

The Floyd County Board of Assessors mailed out property assessment notices yesterday. Some 48,000 notices will arrive at local residents’ mail boxes in the coming days. Those with questions can call Floyd County Chief Tax Appraiser Bill McWhorter at (706) 291-5143 for real property or (706) 291-5125 for personal property.