WGAA 1340AM Cedartown

        The Polk County Police Department has made an arrest that stems from the investigation into the drowning death of two-year old boy in Rockmart.

        Stacy Dalane Hooper, 22, of 230 Pea Ridge Lane, Rockmart, was arrested on Tuesday by the Polk County Police Department. She is the mother of the victim.

        The young boy, Preston Hooper, drowned on June 30^th of this year in a neighbor’s pool. Hooper initially told reporters that her child had “wandered from home.”

        The death launched an investigation, led by Detective Joe Weldon, that spanned several months

        On Tuesday, the investigation finally yielded results as Hooper was arrested and charged with Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless Conduct.

        Hooper remains in the Polk County Jail at this time.

        There were opposite reactions that came from each side of the county as the GHSA released new region alignments for the next three years.

        Cedartown is pleased with the new alignment, as they will continue to play several familiar opponents and even a few new ones that are close by.

        Cedartown High School Principal Hal David pointed out that principals from each school in the region will meet and vote on the scheduling for the region.

        The options would be a straight region schedule or a sub-region schedule with cross-over games, and several other non-region games.

        Cedartown would obviously be in favor of a schedule that would allow them to schedule non-region games, in order to continue the cross county rivalry with Rockmart.

        The scheduling also has major financial implications for a small school like Cedartown. Head football coach Scott Hendrix stated, “Not playing Rockmart will cost us a lot of money.”

        On the other side of the county, Rockmart is not so pleased with their new region and they will be taking their case to the GHSA officials on December 19.

        School officials will argue that the new alignment hurts them in regard to travel and finances. They will request to be moved to Region 5-AAA.

        Teams have until December 16 to file an appeal, and all regions will be finalized in January.

        Just weeks after announcing the new classification structure for Georgia High Schools, the GHSA has announced the new region alignment to begin the next school year.

        It had been announced several weeks ago that Cedartown would be moving up to the AAAA classification, in light of the new “Six Class” system.

        Rockmart High School also moved up. The Yellow Jackets will now compete in AAA. They are in Region 4-AAA with Calloway, Central-Carroll, Haralson County, and several other schools.

        Cedartown has been placed in Region 7-AAAA. The Region has a total of eleven teams, and will be divided into two sub-regions. Cedartown will be in Sub-region A along with Cass, Gilmer County, Pickens County, and River Ridge.

        Sub-region B will consist of Dalton, Heritage-Catoosa, LaFayette, Northwest Whitfield, Ridgeland, and Southeast Whitfield.

        The classification is based student population. Rockmart is at the bottom of 3-A with only 674 students, the lowest school having 651 students. Cedartown is in the bottom half of 4-A with only 883 students, the lowest school having 862 students.

Dear Friends,

Westside Elementary in Cedartown, Ga is taking an exciting step toward bringing our students the tools they need to play, create and explore.  Earlier this year, Westside was nominated for a Power a Bright Future grant from The Clorox Company and can win up to $50,000 towards building a handicap accessible playground for our special needs students. 

After a competitive national nomination period, now is the time for our school community to show its support. Help Westside win up to $50,000 by casting votes starting Oct. 24, 2011 through Dec. 9, 2011. Adults and kids 13 and older can vote online at www.PowerABrightFuture.com for Westside Elementary.

The program that receives the highest number of votes will be awarded the $50,000 grand-prize grant, and the next top vote-getters in the Play, Create and Explore categories respectively will each be awarded a $25,000 grant.  A panel of Clorox judges will also select one additional lucky school to win a $25,000 judge’s choice grant. Visit www.PowerABrightFuture.com for official rules.

With these easy steps, you’ll help give our children a safe and fun place to play. 

1. Text to vote**

• To vote for Westside Elementary text the message clorox9918

to this number 44144. (No charge if you have the unlimited text plan)

• Vote one time every day!
• Spread the word!

**Msg and Data Rates May Apply.

1. Vote online

• Log on to www.PowerABrightFuture.com
• Type in Cedartown, Ga or Westside Elementary to find the Nomination page
• Vote one time every day!
• Spread the word!

You can also help with simple acts like:

• Posting on Facebook to encourage your friends and family to vote.
• Tweeting the link to our voting page so your followers can vote.
• Sending an email to your family and friends, letting them know the great news and telling them how to vote!

Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions as we continue to take all necessary steps to help our students play, create and explore at Westside Elementary.  Thanks in advance for your support!

Best Wishes,

Tara Blankenship & Dana Tanner

770-748-0831

tarab@polk.k12.ga.us

           A Cedartown man has been arrested for his involvement in the taking of a 13 year old. According to police, Israel Pablo, 19, of Cedartown, Georgia was arrested and charged with interfering with custody, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, statutory rape, child molestation, and false imprisonment.

            According to police reports, a father and daughter were at their residence located in the Willis Community Trailer Park, on Saturday evening, when the daughter went outside, but never returned.

            The father received a call from the girl at approximately 9:30 pm, and she spoke at a whisper telling him that she had been kidnapped by “two men in a white van” who claimed that the kidnapping was retribution for something done at work.

            Cedartown Assistant Police Chief Jamie Newsome began calling for help from local, state, and national agencies believing that an abduction had taken place. After further investigation and searching, it was revealed that there was no kidnapping, but the story was a cover for the suspect who was “taking the girl off.”

            The suspect was apprehended, and the girl was recovered. The suspect remains in the Polk County jail on numerous charges.

            AC Newsome would like to thank the Polk County Police Department, the United States Marshalls, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Cedartown Fire Department.