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Overnight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
sunnyMonday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. North wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
sunnyTuesday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Calm wind.
chance of showersWednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 59.
chance of showersThursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
chance of showersFriday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
chance of showersSaturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
chance of showersSunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78.

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Public Employee Pensions Facing Significant Problems  
Retirement of `Baby Boom`

In response to a Congressional inquiry, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) looked into the status of state pension funds. The agency reports that no state pension funds are about to run out of cash, But there will be a significant problem in some states, especially where health care benefits are provided for retirees.

State governments are reporting a deficit of over $750 billion to cover the cost of promised retirement benefits. The situation may actually be worse than those estimates project. Some states continue to use methods to project their costs that are no longer allowed in corporate pension funds. Workers now retire earlier and live longer than many plans estimate. Those that pay health benefits confront the rapidly rising costs of health care.

Billionaire investor Warren E. Buffett warned his stockholders that many of these projections are `accounting nonsense.` Buffet said, `Because the fuse on this time bomb is long, politicians flinch from inflicting tax pain, given that problems will only become apparent long after these officials have departed.`



Buffett Warns of `Accounting Nonsense`



Rome Movies Local News
Coosa Valley News - Person of the Week
Rome High School`s Brandon Johnson has a lot on his plate.

Beside his daily duties as a special education teacher, Johnson also is head baseball coach and football offensive coordinator for the Wolves. Oh, how could we forget, he is also married with a 6 month-old son.

After only two years at RHS, you have lead the Wolves from a .500 team to one that has won 20 games and their first state playoff birth in school history, what was the key to the turn-around? BJ `Just structure. I learned a lot of running a ball team from head football coach Sid Fritz. I played for him in Tennessee and then even learned more when he hired me last year. I felt like we had the talent and all we needed was organization.`

What would you say is the best moment of the season? BJ `We were getting beat 1-0 to Ringgold in the bottom of the 7th. We were facing Zach Fairchild, one of the best pitchers in the state, and eventually came back and won in extra innings.`

After only two years as a high school head coach you won the regions coach of the year award, how would you describe that honor? BJ `It`s a little embarrassing. I didn`t do anything myself, it was all my players.`

Heading into the season what were your goals? BJ `20 wins. Then after we achieved that we had to set new ones. Honestly, with the playoffs starting this weekend, we want to win two games at a time.`

So tell us about your background? BJ `I am from a small town close to Chattanooga, Tenn. I lived on a 400 acre farm where we raised animals. My dad always told me that as long as you work hard anything is achievable and that`s what I`ve tried to bring with me in life. I even go back to the farm every weekend and help my dad and brother run the farm. We have about 100 cows that we have to manage. I like to work.`

What about your family life? BJ `My wife is also a teacher in Rome and my son was born December 29th of last year. It`s been a tough couple of months with work and baseball not being able to be around as much as I would like, but my family is very understanding.`

  • Wolves Win First Round Baseball Playoff Series - The Rome Wolves swept a two game set on Friday against Cherokee County. The first game saw the Wolves win 2-1 and the second game 12-2. Rome will play again on Wednesday at home.

    The Wolves join Dalton in advancing in Region 7. Ringgold plays Saturday while Ridgeland was defeated.

    Click for more.

  • Armuchee Middle Sweeps Stock Market Game - Armuchee Middle School students are once again the regional winners for the Floyd County Region in the Georgia Stock Market Game competition coordinated by the Georgia Council on Economic Education. Armuchee teams swept the fall and spring editions of the contest. Bhavik Patel, Tyler Stahl, Easton Ezell, Greg Johnson and Devin Crowley were the winning team of students for the fall. Grant McCarley, Amy Davis, Ashton Spears and Libby Hendrix were the winning team in the spring.
  • Two Cobb teens drown in Lake Allatoona - Bartow County officials have confirmed that two North Cobb High School boys drowned Friday after swimming at Lake Allatoona with a group of friends. The victims were identified as Jose Roberto Martinez age 18, of Acworth and Edwardo Avalos, 15, of Kennesaw.
  • Rome Awarded with EPA Brownfields Grant - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will recognize the City of Rome on Monday, May 12, 2008 in Rome, GA as recipients of $400,000 in EPA brownfields grants to help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites, turning them from problem properties to productive community use.
  • Students Perform Well on Graduation Tests - An overwhelming majority of Georgia`s students are meeting expectations on the Georgia High School Graduation Tests, including two of the exams that are aligned to the state`s more rigorous curriculum.
  • Ga`s Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims Rise - The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that 51,604 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits in April, up 21.3 percent from March. The increase in claims came across-the-board in manufacturing, construction, trade, and services.
  • Water Restrictions Could be Eased by June - Floyd County residents could get clearance to wash their own cars, houses and water their plants if petitions from the city and county are approved by the state. Steve Hulsey, utilities administrator for Floyd County, `We have until the 15th of May to file for the exemptions and the state will let us know by the middle of June what we can do to ease the Level IV restrictions.`
  • Ethics Complaint Will Not be Investigated - An ethics complaint filed by a former Coosa High School principal against Lynn Plunkett, Floyd County Schools superintendent, will not be investigated by the state educator ethics commission
The Forum Area News
Lake Lanier - What Next?
Although rainfall in 2008 has been almost twice that so far when compared to 2007 levels, the region remains in a `D3 - Extreme` drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Rainfall levels in 2007 were about a third of normal. 2008, while better, still remain under 70% of previous averages.

Still the news is good as far as lake levels in the Coosa river basin. All of the lakes are near or above their normal levels for this time of year.

By contrast, the situation in northeast Georgia, including lakes Lanier and Hartwell, is not good. Lake Lanier started 2008 at about 1052 feet, which is 5 feet below its previous all-time low. While lake levels have rebounded by about 5 feet to around 1057, that level remains 5 feet below previous lows. May 1st is typically the high point for the year. Lanier`s average level on May 1st is 1070. Normally lake levels fall about 5 feet during the summer. In 2007 the level dropped over 10 feet from May to December.

The reason that Lanier has not bounced back can be seen in the watershed map (left). The Coosa watershed is represented by the broun area. The area feeding Lake Lanier is shaded in yellow.

According to the 2007 population estimates, the 28-county Atlanta metropolitan area is currently the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States. Virtually all of the 5.3 million people living in that area depend on their water from rain that falls in the yellow shaded area.

The problem is compounded by Federal endangered species regulations which require the Army Corps of Engineers to release water from Lanier to protect species downriver, including freshwater mussels and Gulf Sturgeon in the Apalachicola Bay.

Currently the Corps is continuing a flow reduction from a minimum of 750 cubic feet per second to 650 cubic feet. The state of Florida is challenging that action due to the fact that it is spawning season on the Apalachicola River. The flow reduction also impacts the oyster industry that’s an important part of the economy in the Apalachicola Bay.

Even with the flow reduction, it is likely that Lake Lanier will fall to another all-time low in November or December of 2008. For the lake to recover will require several years of near-normal rainfall levels. Even that may not be enough in the face of continued usage growth in the Atlanta metro.

Lake Lanier

  • Storm Pounds Georgia - Preliminary reports are saying that one person was killed in central Georgia as heavy storms downed trees and power lines as well damaging home and businesses.
  • Riverbend Festival Looking for Volunteers - Volunteers are needed for this years Riverbend festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Orientation days are Tuesday, May 13th and Thursday, May 15th at 5:30pm, and Saturday, May 17th at 1pm at Notre Dame High School Auditorium. Volunteers must attend one of the orientation sessions.
  • Isakson Says He Won’t Run for Governor - U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson held a meeting with this staff Thursday and told them he’s decided to seek another term in the U.S. Senate rather than run for governor in 2010.
  • Motion to Recuse Judge in Nichols Case Considered - Superior Court judge James Bodiford says he can be fair to accused courthouse shooter Brian Nichols despite a newspaper statement he authorized that described his colleague`s death as a `brutal murder.`
Gondolier Pizza News - National  
West Virginia - Will Hillary Hammer Obama?
Current polls are suggesting that Hillary Clinton will do something in West Virginia that both candidates have been struggling to do since January, win big, real big.

Barack Obama is saying, `She is going to do very well in West Virginia and Kentucky. She will win those states in all likelihood by significant margins.`

In West Virginia that margin might be as 40 points.

The state only has 28 delegates so even if Clinton takes 75%, it will give her a net gain of around 14. While estimates vary, Obama currently leads by around 150 delegates.

When the disputed Florida and Michigan delegations are deducted from the total, that leaves Obama about 175 delegates short of a majority. If Florida and Michigan are counted, Obama is around 350 delegates short of victory.

Since Clinton won both the actual elections in those states, the key to victory will be as more about the big `Mo` in the mind of the Democratic leadership than delegates.

Clinton also has a 2-1 lead over Obama in current Kentucky polling.

Cedartown Performing Arts Center News - Entertainment  
Local Sports
In the Mind of - Tony Potts
Do you know what a lot of folks around the area seem to lose sight of? The fact that the hometown folks and sports do not get the recognition they deserve.

Sure, high school football gets talked about, as does basketball, and maybe a little baseball. But, what about those athletes that might not play the `other` sports.

This past Tuesday night made me step back and remind myself that great ball is all around us. And I`m not talking about the Rome Braves.

Tuesday night I found myself watching and getting involved with a 14 and under fast pitch softball game. That game told a fantastic story. I didn`t care who won, nor was there names like Chipper Jones, Barry Bonds or John Smoltz playing.

It was two groups of girls that gave their hearts and souls to win a ball game. The battle was back and fourth, and fourth and back. After the first extra inning, and a runner on third jetted home and just leveled the pitcher for a thought to be win, the crowd came unglued. The runner was called out and ejected by league rules for rough play. Players with tears in their eyes battled even harder.

The game finally ended with a two out hit and victory. It reminded me what mattered in the world of sports. LOVE for the game. Love for winning, not money.

So this week I am going to give you advice. If you got some free time next week, go out and watch a girls fast pitch softball game at the Alto Park fields in Rome. Watch true passion. After it its probably the last place you can watch a game that`s played for the Love of the Game!

Until next week!

God bless!

Tony Potts

  • Rome Earns Split in Greenville - The Rome Braves pounded out a 6-1 victory Saturday night to earn a much-needed road win in Greenville Saturday night.
  • Braves Road Woes Continue - The Atlanta Braves disastrous road performance continued on Saturday as the Pirates defeated the Braves 5-2 Saturday night.
  • Federal Judge Orders Vick to Pay $2.4M - A federal judge in Virginia has ordered imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick to repay more than $2.4 million to a Canadian bank for defaulting on a loan. The Royal Bank of Canada sued Vick in September, arguing his guilty plea to federal dogfighting charges and the resulting impact on his career prevented him from repaying the loan.
  • Vick Owes Bank $2.5 Million - U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Bradford Stillman has granted the Royal Bank of Canada a judgment against Michael Vick for about $2.5 million.
  • Area Teams Sweep into Playoffs - The Rome Wolves joined Cartersville, Calhoun and Armuchee in sweeping two game sets on Friday to advance in the Georgia state baseball playoffs.
  • Want a No. 2 Jersey? - After years of Michael Vick`s No. 7 jersey being the most popular, the Atlanta Falcons are hoping that No. 2 will be very, very popular. That`s Matt Ryan`s new jersey number.
News - Sports  
Coosa Valley Technical College News - Business  
Advance Rehabilitation News - Health  
Alcohol - Gender Gaps and Dependence Shrinks
There have been marked increases in alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence among U.S. women, particularly among white and Hispanic women born in the U.S. after World War II, new research shows.

`This is particularly disturbing because women with alcohol problems face more severe health-related consequences and possibly more years of life lost than their male counterparts,` researchers write in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

Dr. Richard A. Grucza, of Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, and colleagues analyzed two national surveys about alcohol use that were conducted 10 years apart in age-matched adults.

Compared with women born between 1944 and 1953, women born between 1954 and 1963 were much more apt to drink alcohol and those who drank had a higher risk of alcohol dependence, the researchers report in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

This was not the case for men; men born more recently did not have lower levels of abstaining or higher levels of alcohol dependence.

Dr. Shelly F. Greenfield, of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Program at McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, who was not involved in the study, said this research `adds important information to the accumulating evidence that the gender gap between women and men in the prevalence of alcohol dependence is narrowing.`

The fact that drinking alcohol became more socially acceptable for women throughout the years may be one reason for the up tic in drinking among women, Greenfield noted.

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