Rome’s Circuit City is among 567 in the U.S. that the nation’s second-biggest consumer electronics retailer plans to liquidate. The closures, announced Friday, could send another 30,000 people into the ranks of the unemployed.

The Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibit “Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon: Vietnamese America since 1975” continues at Georgia Highlands College in Rome through March 1.

The exhibit, which opened here earlier this month, features the experiences o

f Vietnamese Americans and the 30 years of immigration to the United States since the fall of Saigon in 1975.

The public may view the exhibit Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and at other times by appointment in the Lakeview building on the Floyd campus.

Georgia Highland’s director of student life, John Spranza, said of the e

xhibit in a press release that “we have seen firsthand and recently how the U.S. economy affects the rest of the world. We really do live in an interdependent global village where understanding other cultures and regions has become particularly important.”

Divided into six sections, the exhibition follows the stages of the Vietnamese transition into America.

The exhibit debuted in January 2007 at the S. Dillon Ripley Center Concourse on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

It was developed by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program with Vietnamese-American scholar Vu Pham as the curator, and organized for travel by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.

-Rome News Tribune

Shortly before 6:00pm on Thursday, units from the Centre Police and Fire Departments, Cherokee EMS, and personnel from the Cherokee County Rescue Squad all responded to what was initially called-in as a two vehicle accident, occurring on the Cedar Bluff Road in front of Deans Pharmacy.

However, when officers arrived on the scene it was discovered that the accident had actually involved a third vehicle, which had left the scene.

A lookout was put out for the vehicle, which was last seen traveling toward Cedar Bluff, and was later spotted heading into Chattooga County near Mill Creek. Its unknown at this time if the vehicle, described as a large body, White Ford pickup, was ever found.

The driver of one of the other vehicles was treated at the scene by paramedics, for what appeared to be only minor cuts and scrapes. No other persons were injured in the mishap.

The accident is under investigation by the Centre Police Department.

The state of Georgia and US Dept. of Justice have settled a complaint involving conditions at Georgia ’s seven psychiatric hospitals including NW Regional in Rome. The Department opened its investigation of Georgia ’s psychiatric hospitals in 2007.  The Department subsequently entered into negotiations regarding remedies the State was required to implement to correct unconstitutional conditions at all the hospitals.   Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division said late Thursday “We are pleased that we have cooperatively achieved a settlement agreement that will benefit the lives of persons with mental health problems and developmental disabilities in Georgia ’s psychiatric hospitals”.  Specifically, the State has agreed to undertake a variety of measures, including improving medical and mental health care and ensuring that patients are free from undue bodily restraint. The State will also improve discharge planning and ensure that each patient is served in the most integrated setting appropriate.  

Dalton State College will begin offering bachelor’s degree programs in English and history in the fall of 2009, with each program containing an “option” for certification in secondary education, College administrators announced today.

Chattooga County Commissioner Jason Winters told AM 1180 Chattooga County Radio this week, that he plans to start regular monthly meetings to inform the public about their county governmnet.  Winters is encouraging members of the public to attend these meetings and stay informed about upcoming projects as well as the financial health of the county.  The first meeting will be held on January 29 at the Courthouse Annex building located on West Washington Street in Summerville.  The County Commissioner’s Meeting will get underway at 6 PM.

Some Georgia lawmakers want to designate April as Confederate Heritage and History month.

Legislation was introduced in Georgia’s House and Senate on Friday that would celebrate the Confederate States of America. Under the bill, governments, schools, businesses and Georgia citizens would be encouraged to participate in programs throughout the month.

The legislation was sponsored by Sen. John Bulloch, a Republican from Ochlocknee, and Rep. Alan Powell, a Democrat from Hartwell.

ROME NEWS TRIBUNE

Justin Tryll Silmon …. Poss of marijuana less than 1 ounce, Poss of Marijuana with intent to distr. Poss of Marijuana with intent ot distr. within 1000ft. of housing project. Poss of firearm or knife while trying to commit crimes, possession and use of drug re-lated objects, SPD probation violation.

Tammy Lynn Womack, Superior court probation violation poss meth X2

David Lavaughn Wooten …..violation of conditional bond orig. doc.

Gerardo Luis Cabrera….No License

Valerie Jean Hawkins….Disorderly conduct

Scott Randall King DUI Drugs less safe, possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, suspended registration.

Junior Ray bridges, Superior Court probation violation orig. VGCSA misc. Misd.

Courtney marie Chamlee, Poss of Marijuana with intent to Distr. …Poss of marijuana with intent to distr. with 1000 ft. of a housing porject…possession and use of drug related objects, possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce.  possession of firearm or knife while trying to commit crimes….

Jorge Cruz…Disorderly conduct.

William Lee Davis, simple battery FVA, Obstruction or hindering law enforcement officers, parole violation orig, Terroristic threats adn acts..

Stryder Fain Maddox…simple battery. FVA

Unemployment claims in Chattooga County rose once again in December.  According to the numbers released from the Georgia Department of Labor today, an additional 70 people in Chattooga County filed first time unemployment claims.

That puts the total number of unemployed Chattooga County workers at 191, up nearly 58% from the previous month and up over 144% from December of 2007.  In December of 2007 only 78 people in Chattooga County were drawing unemployment.