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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, July 20th and happy 77th birthday to musician Carlos Santana.
***07.20.24 – BIRTHDAY – CARLOS SANTANA***
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: Miracle Treat Day at Dairy Queen on July 25
Dairy Queen of Calhoun is teaming up with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for Miracle Treat Day on July 25. This initiative, part of American Dairy Queen Corporation’s efforts with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, encourages patrons to purchase Blizzard® Treats, with $1 or more from each purchase donated to CMN Hospitals. Over 40 years, Dairy Queen has raised $180 million for local children’s hospitals. Kenneth Abernathy, operator of Dairy Queen of Calhoun, aims to raise $10,000 this year alone, building on past efforts that have already contributed over $35,000 to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
STORY 2: 10 Graduate From GNTC's Electrical Lineworker Program
Ten students graduated from Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker program on July 17 at the Polk County Campus in Rockmart. The rigorous 10-week training included donated equipment like trucks and poles, hands-on instruction from GNTC faculty, and resulted in four certificates: Electrical Lineworker, CDL Class A license, OSHA 10-Hour General Industry, and an overall completion certificate for 395 training hours. This summer 2024 cohort marks the program’s fifth since its fall 2022 inception, aiming to prepare graduates for utility industry roles. The program continues to expand, supported by industry partnerships and recent equipment donations. The next cohort starts August 26, with enrollment still open.
STORY 3: The Colors Of Music: Rome High’s Marching Band Up And Ready
The Rome High School marching band is gearing up for their annual show titled "Chroma," themed around colors. Directed by Tab Brown, the show will feature music from bands like Queen, Soundgarden, and Led Zeppelin, performed during football games and competitions in the upcoming semester. Each segment of "Chroma" corresponds to a color — red for the introduction, blue for the opener, yellow for the ballad, and green for the closer. The band's preparations include intense practices and choreography sessions, culminating in a preview performance on July 26 at the school's main gym, showcasing their hard work to the community.
Back in a moment
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STORY 4: Gordon County Adopts New Fee Schedule
Gordon County's Board of Commissioners recently approved a new fee schedule for county services during their Tuesday night meeting. Updates include raising the daily fee for recreational vehicle camping spots at Salacoa Creek Park from $18 to $28 due to recent upgrades, and implementing a $10-per-hour rental fee for the park's waterside event pavilion. Fees associated with the county's geographic information system were reduced. Commissioner Kurt Sutherland suggested reducing the RV fee from $35 to $28 to enhance competitiveness. Additionally, the board approved contracts for overseeing the Mt. Olive Church Road dam replacement, adopted software agreements, surplus requests for vehicles and IT equipment, and approved a zoning request for a parcel on Miller Ferry Road. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the Gordon County Judicial Building, open to the public.
STORY 5: GNTC Establishes Parson Scholarship
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) has introduced the Huston "Buck" Parson Scholarship in honor of Huston Parson, supported by his widow Mary Parson. Huston, known for his work at Carpet Center of Dalton and passion for agriculture, inspired this scholarship to benefit students from Murray or Whitfield County. Mary, a former elementary school teacher, aims to create a lasting legacy for her husband by aiding students in need. The scholarship will award $2,500 in spring 2025, with a potential second award in 2026 if the recipient maintains good standing. GNTC President Dr. Heidi Popham expressed gratitude for Mary Parson's contribution, emphasizing its impact on student success at the Whitfield Murray County campus.
Back in just a moment
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STORY 6: Officials Revive Discussion on Homelessness Issue in Rome
A meeting in Rome reignited discussions on addressing homelessness, involving city, county, state officials, nonprofits, and healthcare organizations. Issues cited include homeless individuals using public spaces for sleeping and bathing, impacting downtown and exercise trails. Efforts from past task forces in 2019 and 2009 aimed to tackle homelessness faced challenges, including economic downturns and the pandemic. Key concerns include accurately counting homeless individuals and defining homelessness, which includes those with unstable housing despite employment. Plans include potentially appointing a single leader to coordinate efforts and exploring programs like a co-responder initiative to address mental health during emergency responses.
STORY 7: Floyd School Board To Vote On Millage Rate One July 26
The Floyd County Board of Education will convene a special meeting on July 26 to finalize a new millage rate of 17.141 mills, slightly higher than the initial proposal of 17.136 mills due to county assessments. Superintendent Glenn White clarified that this rate applies solely to Floyd County Schools, separate from the county government's tax rate. This year's rate represents a rollback rate, aiming to maintain consistent taxation levels. It marks the first rollback rate approved by the school district in 25 years, following efforts over the past decade to gradually reduce millage rates. The meeting invites public participation to discuss and address any queries regarding the new tax rate.
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 northwestgeorgianews.com
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