PRE-ROLL: ADVENT HEALTH
From the Ingles Studio this is The Northwest Georgia News Podcast from the Rome News Tribune, Calhoun Times, Catoosa Walker News, and Polk County Standard.
Today is Saturday, September 14th and happy 77th birthday to actor Sam Neil.
***09.14.24 – BIRTHDAY – SAM NEIL***
I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Northwest Georgia is talking about presented by Drake Realty.
These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Northwest Georgia News podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!
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STORY 1: Driver Accused Of Fatal Wreck on Turner McCall Charged
Omar Alejandro Garcia, 30, faces felony vehicular homicide charges after a high-speed crash on Saturday that killed two occupants and seriously injured a 1-year-old child. Garcia is charged with two counts of felony homicide by vehicle, among other offenses, including DUI and reckless driving. The crash occurred when Garcia, driving a Dodge Charger at nearly 100 mph, collided head-on with a Honda Accord driven by Kadrian Harris, 23, and Malik Henderson, 23. Harris’ 1-year-old daughter, Riley Harris, was critically injured and airlifted to a hospital. Garcia, who had a history of evading police, is currently in Floyd County Jail with no bond set.
STORY 2: Report: Calhoun Woman Charged With Disrupting School Through Social Media Post
Melissa Marie Watson, 35, faces criminal charges for disrupting school operations with false social media posts. On Tuesday, Watson was arrested for sharing misinformation on the Facebook page "Concerned Citizens of Gordon County," claiming a 9th grader at Calhoun High School had a gun, which led to unnecessary panic. Calhoun City Schools and local law enforcement confirmed there was no gun incident, and Watson’s son was absent that day. The false information significantly disrupted school operations, prompting the school and police to stress the importance of verifying facts and avoiding the spread of rumors. Watson could face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
STORY 3: State Tax Revenues Up in August
In August, Georgia's tax collections rose by 2.4% year-over-year, totaling nearly $2.34 billion. This increase was primarily driven by a 14.7% rise in net sales tax revenue, which offset a 9.1% decline in individual income taxes. Corporate sales tax receipts also grew, with payments up 31.2% and refunds down 52.7%. Overall, tax collections for the first two months of fiscal 2025 were up 2.5% compared to the same period last year.
Back in a moment
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STORY 4: What's Happening Around Polk County?
On Sept. 19, the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Rockmart. Polk County Police and Commissioner Linda Liles will present a women’s situational awareness seminar on Sept. 21 from noon to 2 p.m. at Victory Baptist Church in Rockmart. Keep Polk Beautiful’s Rivers Alive cleanup is on Oct. 12 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Seaborn Jones Park. Ongoing community support includes free groceries at Worldview Baptist Church, food pantry services at the Good Neighbor Center, and a free community meal at Cross Factor Church. For more details on these events and ongoing services, visit the respective contact points or websites.
STORY 5: Voting Rights Groups Weigh In On Lawsuit Challenging State Election Board
Civil and voting rights groups, including the ACLU of Georgia, Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, have filed a “friend of the court” brief against recent rule changes adopted by Georgia's State Election Board. These changes, approved by the board's Republican majority, allow local officials to conduct "reasonable inquiries" and review all election-related documents before certifying results. The lawsuit, filed by the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Party of Georgia, argues that these rules undermine longstanding certification procedures and threaten voter rights. Critics say the changes could delay results and sow doubt in the electoral process, potentially impacting November's elections. Georgia Republican Chairman Josh McKoon defends the rules as measures to ensure election integrity.
Back in just a moment
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STORY 6: County BOE Adopts Millage Rate at Sept. Meeting
At Monday's Gordon County Schools Board of Education meeting, members approved the final millage rate of 16.364, maintaining the lowest rate in twelve years. They also approved the Perkins Program Improvement Fund of $63,227 for CTAE programs and awarded a $87,485 bid to Surface Masters for paving work at Gordon Central High School. The board renewed their norms and protocols and addressed public concerns, including water safety and the WWII monument restoration. Personnel recommendations were approved, and upcoming events were announced: elementary school visits on Sept. 12, the next board meeting on Oct. 7, middle and high school visits on Oct. 10, and fall break from Oct. 14-18.
STORY 7: GNTC Student Is All Smiles About Her Future
Jessica Motes, a Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) student, completed her associate degree in Medical Assisting at the Floyd County Campus in July and is set to graduate in December. After passing her credential test, she secured a job at Harbin Clinic Family Medicine. Motes, inspired by personal family experiences and a desire to help others, received a dental makeover from the GNTC Foundation, significantly boosting her confidence. Her improved self-esteem has positively impacted her performance and interactions in the medical field. Motes has also earned additional certifications and competed in the 2024 SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, reflecting her dedication and growth.
We’ll have closing comments after this.
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Sign off--
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Northwest Georgia News Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at https://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/
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