WGAA 1340AM Cedartown

Susan Jackson is honored for her service as a volunteer firefighter.

The Polk County chapter of the Exchange Club honored the Polk County and Cedartown Fire Department’s with the annual “Fireman of the Year” award on Thursday night at Meadow Lakes Country Club.

       Cedartown Fireman Felix White was honored as the city’s “fireman of the year, and Susan Jackson of the Young’s Station Volunteer Fire Department was honored as the county’s recipient.

       Cedartown Fire Chief Sammy Stephens gave remarks on the history of fire departments, the evolution of fire departments, and the ever growing need of fire protection in Polk County.

Felix White is honored as Cedartown's "Fireman of the Year".

       Stephens noted that 2011 is on pace to have more fire calls answered than any other year in history. He stressed the importance of Cedartown, Rockmart, and all of Polk County working together to make sure that everyone is safe and protected.

Freshman Josh Lee cuts upfield for a big gain in the Dawgs 65-13 win. (Gail Conner/ camerachik.com)

       A constant mist fell over Murray County for the entire, but that was about the only thing that could dampen the Dawgs 65-13 win.

       The junior varsity players gained some valuable experience and several banged up varsity players got the night off, including stand out Nick Chubb.

       On the first play from scrimmage, Zach Chubb ran a sweep all the way to the end zone. That score was the first of many on the night for the Dawgs.

           Chubb was also 2 for 3 with 49 yards and a score through the air. Freshman Josh Lee had two carries for 75 yards and a touchdown.

       Cedartown finished with 336 total yards off offense, including 268 yards on the ground. Cedartown converted 21 first downs and, most importantly, did not fumble the ball.

       Cedartown will begin a week of preparation for the play-in game this Friday night. The Dawgs will host the Ringgold Tigers at 7:30pm.

Cedartown ball boys find ways to stay entertained. (Gail Conner/ camerachik.com)

The Dawgs travel to Murray County to wrap up the regular season. (Gail Conner/ camerachik.com)

       The Cedartown Bulldogs (6-2, 3-1) will travel to Chatsworth, Georgia on Friday to wrap up the regular season against the Murray County Indians (1-7, 0-4).

       Murray County has had a tough year on the gridiron, but they did receive good news this week. Due to Dalton’s ineligibility issues, Murray County got there first win of the year by forfeit.

       Although the Indians look overmatched on paper, it will be important for the Dawgs to play with intensity and focus and ward off any chance of a let down on Friday evening.

       Murray County is averaging only 3 points per game, but the team is giving up nearly 48 points per game. How they will stop the Chubb brothers is anyone’s guess.

       Cedartown is trying to finish off their best regular season since 2002, when they went all the way to the third round of the playoffs.

       The Dawgs will also be paying special attention to scores around the region in anticipation of finding out who the region play-in opponent will be. Check out wgaaradio.com for a complete list of scenarios.

       Game time is set for 7:30pm tomorrow night, in Chatsworth, Georgia.

       The Polk School District Board of Education met in special session on Tuesday morning at 10am and in the evening at 6pm for the purpose of receiving community input regarding “re-districting”.

       State Senator Bill Heath was in attendance for the morning (more…)

Dalton High School’s Catamounts football team must forfeit four games after the Georgia High School Association ruled the team used an ineligible player.

The GHSA’s ruling followed an investigation concerning the eligibility of starting linebacker Corey Smith, a senior, whom GHSA officials said did not make a “bona fide move” as defined by the association’s bylaws after leaving Southeast High School. Smith played at the crosstown school the previous three seasons.

In a news conference at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Harmon Field, Matt Land, Dalton’s head coach, said the team will forfeit its victories against Gilmer, Ridgeland, Murray County and Heritage-Catoosa. Smith participated in the team’s first six games, but two of those were losses to Calhoun and Allatoona.

Principal Debbie Freeman said the school will appeal the ruling.

The Polk County Chamber of Commerce will host a Membership Appreciation Breakfast, sponsored by Harbin Clinic, on Wednesday, November 2, 7:30am, at the Rockmart Depot.  Dr. Ken Davis, President and CEO of Harbin Clinic, will be the speaker. 

The Chamber’s Member Value Committee designated October as Membership Appreciation Month and the breakfast is a way of saying “Thank You” to all of the members.

At the end of September, a survey was distributed to Chamber members and their representatives, asking for feedback of how they feel the Chamber serves them and our community.  Members who completed the survey were automatically entered to win a chance at various door prizes that were drawn for at the October Rise & Shine Breakfast and Chamber After Hours.  The Grand Prize, an iPad2 sponsored by Oglethorpe Power, will be drawn for at the November breakfast.

A full buffet breakfast, catered by Pirkle’s Deli and sponsored by Harbin Clinic, will be provided at no charge.  The breakfast begins at 7:30am and the iPad 2 drawing will be 8:55am.  You are encouraged to come!  The Small Business Committee will make a short presentation, along with the opportunity to welcome the newest Chamber members and to visit with one another.  Please RSVP to info@polkgeorgia.com, 770-748-8760, or register online, www.polkgeorgia.com.  Don’t miss the chance to win!

        It wasn’t, by any stretch, an easy win for the Cedartown Bulldogs, but perhaps it was the most rewarding. On a night where the team tried on many occasions to let Cartersville escape town with a win, the athleticism and determination of the Dawgs prevailed.

        After going up 6-0 early in the second quarter, the Dawgs went flat. A field goal to close out the first half allowed Cartersville to cut the deficit in half with 6-3 score.

        The second half brought plenty of adversity for Cedartown, as the team had trouble holding on to the football. On the opening possession of the third quarter, the Dawgs failed to get a first down. A mishandled punt gave Cartersville the ball at Cedartown’s 30 yard line. Cartersville would capitalize and take a 10-6 lead.

        In the fourth quarter, the Hurricanes were attempting to put the game away with one more touchdown. However, the Canes fumbled at the five and gave the Dawgs the ball and more importantly, new life.

        The Dawgs drove down the field and punched in a touchdown with a 5 yard run by Nick Chubb.

        Cartersville got the ball back and started moving, but a fumble recovery by Marquis Thomas ended any hopes of a comeback. Cedartown scored again on a 7 yard carry by Nick Chubb, making the final score 18-10 in the Dawgs favor.

        Cedartown finished with 336 total yards; 301 came on the ground. The Dawgs fumbled six times and lost four, but somehow still found a way to win.

        Cedartown will travel to Murray County this Friday to wrap up the region schedule.

The Dawgs face Cartersville, tonight, in a sub-region matchup. (Gail Conner/camerachik.com)

       The Cedartown Bulldogs (5-2, 2-1) will return to action tonight as they take on the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes (4-3, 2-1) at 7:30pm at Cedartown Memorial Stadium.

       Cedartown is coming off a heartbreaking 27-21 loss to the Allatoona Buccaneers, in which Allatoona recovered from a two touchdown deficit to remain undefeated.

       Cartersville, meanwhile, is coming off of a 54-6 homecoming win over region cellar-dweller Murray County. Cartersville is scoring 22 points per game, but the Canes are only giving up 10.

       Coach Scott Hendrix and the Dawgs will try to get re-focused and take down Cartersville and secure the number 2 spot in Region 7B-AAA.

       Cartersville defeated the Dawgs 31-6 last season, but anyone who has watched the season progress knows that this is a much different team.

       Cartersville Head Coach Frank Barden agreed with this fact, “[We] got a big game next week. [We] got a Cedartown team that’s probably one of the best offenses in the region — great quarterback, great fullback, good skill players.”

       Again, game time is slated for 7:30pm, tonight at Cedartown High School. Come out and support the Dawgs on Senior Night.

I wanted to send you some information about a young marine who was just killed Friday Oct 13, 2011.  He will be brought home tomorrow Oct 20, 2011 to a wonderful processional route with people standing and honoring him as a hero.  His family is grieving terribly for this young man.   As hard as this time has got to be for them the Douglas County Commissioners have received word that his funeral on Sunday will be in protest by a church called Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka Kansas.  This church seems to cause protest to any fallen soldier.  They hold up horrible signs saying many differend things.  There web site is called http://www.godhatesfags.com.  Check out their beliefs and motives.  Spread the word that these so called Christians do not need to cause problems for the fallen soldier.  Let America know what is going on.  I trust you to get the word out.
 

Cpl Scott Daniel Harper, age 21, of Winston, GA, was killed in action in Afghanistan on Thursday, October 13, 2011. He was born August 22, 1990 in Douglasville, GA. He was a 2008 Graduate of Alexander High School where he was a member of the golf team. Scott was a proud infantryman serving his country in the US Marine Corps. He not only loved his country, but he loved his family, his community, loved hunting, fishing and playing his guitar. Scott was Baptist by faith.
He is survived by his father, Brian and his wife Angela Harper; mother, Deborah Busbin Staples; brother, Mitchell Staples; sister, Amber Staples; step-brother, Joseph Hulsey; step-sister and her husband, Holly and Rusty Harpe; paternal grandmother, Diana Harper; maternal grandparents, J. R. ‘Buzz’ and Janet Busbin; maternal great-grandmother, Era Streetman; uncle, Patrick Harper and his wife Tina, their children, Michael, Kathryn and Kevin Harper; aunt and uncle, Lon and Lisa Bell, their children, Chanda and Kasey Bell; uncle and aunt, Michael and Michelle Busbin, their children, Rachel, Brandi and Jessica. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, George Harper, and his maternal great-grandfather, Ed Streetman.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, October 21, 2011 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM and Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 1:00 PM until 9:00 PM. The funeral service will be Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 3:00 PM at Ephesus Baptist Church with Dr. Billy Godwin officiating. Interment will follow at Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors.
Those who wish to express condolences or share a special memory of Scott may do so online at www.whitleygarner.com
Arrangements by: Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home, Douglasville, GA 30134, 770-942-4246

Cedartown native and champion wheelchair racer Krige Schabort was injured on Monday in a hit and run incident while out training.

The Georgia State Patrol received a call regarding the incident and Corporal Joe Stephens was the officer to respond to the scene. Stephens said that there were two witnesses to the incident.

The Polk County Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department located the two suspects. Corporal Stephens then questioned the two men and both denied driving the vehicle that hit Schabort.

The car showed evidence of being involved in an accident and the witnesses identified the men as the suspects.

The men were placed under arrest and charged with driving without a license, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to render aid.

Schabort was taken to the hospital with lacerations to the head and did require stitches, but no serious injuries were reported.

Corporal Stephens stated, “I am very thankful for the Polk County Police and Sheriff’s Departments. Without them, this might have turned out very different.”