Arson suspect treated for burns:

- Phillip Rodger Bennett, 58, of( Cartersville was taken into custody Thursday in Murphy, N.C. The Marshals working in conjunction with the Cartersville Police Department have been following leads since the incident happened. The Marshals were able to make phone contact with Bennett and were able to talk Bennett into turning himself in. Bennett returned to Cartersville Thursday afternoon and faces these charges: Aggravated Assault (2 counts), Criminal Damage to Property (2 counts), Damaging Public Utilities, Cruelty to Children, 2nd Degree Burglary, Reckless Conduct, Criminal Trespass, Terroristic Threats, Possession of Tools in Commission of a Crime.

-Update: Bennett had burns to his hands and arms, and was treated by EMTs. The burns were too severe to be treated locally so Bennett was transported to Grady Hospital for treatment, according to Cartersville police.  He has been admitted to the burn unit for treatment and will be transported to the Bartow County Jail this afternoon.

Sheriff's office charges Cartersville man with car break-in

-According to Sheriff Clark Millsap, deputies were dispatched to Churchill Downs subdivision off Cline Smith Road just after 3 a.m. Friday to answer a call of a prowler. Deputies checking the area heard a loud noise and then spotted James Murrell Wright, 37, of Cartersville and another man try to flee in a 1988 Ford Crown Victoria. The car spun out and the two occupants fled on foot.

-Deputies located Wright hiding in some bushes at a neighborhood home and he was arrested. Deputies have identified the other man involved and warrants have been taken. The second man's name is not being released at this time in an attempt to locate and arrest him.
-When the deputies checked the car that Wright had attempted to flee in, they found property which had just been stolen from a car parked in a Churchill Downs driveway. The property was identified and returned to the owner. The owner reported and showed deputies where a landscape type brick had been thrown through her window to make entry into her car to commit the theft.
-Wright isy booked into the Bartow County Jail on charges of Entering an Auto to Commit a Theft, Prowling, Obstruction, Reckless Driving, and Driving without a License. He has a $2,800 bond set, but oes have a hold placed by Tift County for unrelated charges. The other man faces the same charges and more information will be released upon his arrest.

Today's latest headlines:

-Tellus Science Museum has canceled tonight's Observatory Open House due to the weather. Another date will be announced soon.

Washington Buzz

-U.S. Rep. Tom Graves speaking before the House on Obamacare/IRS ties:

"We all know that it increases premiums and squeezes the family budget. We know that it does not let you keep the plan that you have today. We know that Obamacare is crushing jobs, and it‘s forcing many parents who have full-time jobs today into tomorrow’s part-time jobs. And now, we have some new information as we prepare to vote. The chief enforcers of this law – the IRS – have been outed as partisan political operatives. They’ve harassed and bullied and suppressed the political opponents of the Obama Administration.
Now they want to be in charge of our health care? Give me a break. I don’t think so." Watch the video here.

--U.S. Rep.  Phil Gingrey votes with majority of the House favoring a full repeal of Obamacare:  “As both a physician and a taxpayer, repealing Obamacare remains my top priority. President Obama promised that his law would not raise taxes, would decrease health care costs, and that if we liked our plans, we could keep them. These promises have been broken, and Obamacare accomplishes the exact opposite of what the President pledged... This past week, we learned the IRS—the enforcer of Obamacare—has been targeting conservative groups who oppose the Obama administration,” Gingrey said. This is a thuggish attempt to shut people up. They’ve proven we can’t trust them, and now we’re giving them all of our health care information?” Final vote, 229 to 105. NBC story

-Karen Handel enters U.S. Senate race: Says Handel in a media release distributed by the Republican hopeful this morning: "I am running for U.S. Senate because we need less Washington in Washington. States, especially those with Republican governors, are doing a good job -- they are balancing budgets with targeted spending cuts, creating jobs, and tackling tax reform.  The biggest problems we face today are in Washington, and that's where we so desperately need fresh thinking, bold solutions, and real leadership. Out-of-control spending has left us with a crushing debt. It's time to deal with it and stop kicking the can down the road -- this cannot be the legacy we leave to future generations."

- Loudermilk scores '100' in Americans for Prosperity's annual scorecard of Georgia legislators. State Sen. Barry Loudermilk, who is running for the 11th Congressional  Ditsrict House seat, was "one of only four (state) senators to score a perfect 100 percent and receive an “A” rating from the conservative, pro-growth group... Loudermilk is the only Georgia lawmaker to receive a 100% mark from AFP in every single year since the group began issuing the scorecard. “Americans for Prosperity is a highly-respected champion for pro-growth economic policies and I am extremely proud that they feel that my efforts in the Legislature merited their highest marks," Loudermilk said.  "I applaud what they do to educate public officials on ways to foster improving economies as well as educating citizens on the impact of these policies."  

Weekend Buzz

-This weekend's agenda includes the year's top concert, graduations, benefits::

• May 17-18: Duck Derby is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Riverside Day Use Area Park. Tonight: Pre-Derby Concert Party at 6 p.m. Saturday: Chick-Fil-A Duck Dash at 8 a.m. Details:  click here
• May 18: Rome River Jam tickets on the move. The annual concert from Jay Shell Productions is set for Ridge Ferry Park. Scheduled guests include Craig Morgan, Blackberry Smoke, Ashley Monroe, Angie Johnson. Tailgating begins at 1 p.m. with gates opening at 2:30 p.m. The first performance begins at 3 p.m. For parking and concert rules, please click River Jam. Additional parking now available at Chieftains Museum for $15.

Today's Buzz:

-Five promoted at Coosa Valley Credit Union. Click Business

-Rome Symphony plans June 8 pops concert, July Fourth performance. RSO

Low 80s, some rain in the weekend forecast

-Outlook: About an inch of rain is possible today through early Sunday.

-Friday: 30% rain chance, high of 83, low of 63.

-Saturday: 70% rain chance, high of 81, low of 63.

-Sunday: 50% rain chance, high of 84, low of 66.

-Forecast / radar / mobile

Thursday Public Health restaurant inspection scores: Floyd, Bartow. Dining

$790 million up for grabs tonight, Saturday:

-$190 million MegaMillion drawing tonight; $600 million PowerBall on Saturday night. Lottery

Bartow County Jail:

-Jail intake: Friday

-Media reports: Friday

-Sheriff's office on Facebook

-Cartersville Police's new crime tip hot line. Callers can remain anonymous. Dial 770-606-5337

-Cartersville Police on Facebook

-Cartersville police add Crime Mapping. Details

Sports

-Rome snap losing streak, pound Asheville 11-4, Sports

-Next: Rome at home at 7 tonight vs. Asheville.

-Mills Fitzner's game photos. Click Photos

Calendar

Bartow County Calendar: Click here to send items

-May 17-18: This year's Duck Derby is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 18 at Riverside Day Use Area Park in Cartersville.  Also: the Pre-Derby Concert Party on May 17 at 6 p.m. and the Chic-Fil-A Duck Dash on May 18 at 8 a.m.  Details

-May 20: Bartow County Democratic Party meets at 7 p.m. at the IHOP, 640 E. Main St. Topics: volunteering, upcoming events. J.M. Prince, Chair, 770.386.1379 or cell 404.285.1450 

-May 23: In celebration of National Tourism Month, the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau in conjunction with the Bartow Hospitality Association is hosting the Real Georgia Gem Tour. The tour departing from and returning to the Clarence Brown Conference Center will highlight some of Bartow County’s greatest treasures. Tickets are $20 and includes lunch. Details

-June 1: Bartow County Library-Cartersville Branch will host a used book sale. Open from 9-10 a.m. for "Friends of the Library" members and to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

-June 7-9: The Dixie Highway 90-mile Yard Sale will be held through Emerson, Cartersville, Cassville and Adairsville.  Most sales take place from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. The Dixie Highway route follows Ga. 293, Cartersville Main Street, Cassville Road, U.S. 41, Old U.S. 41 in Adairsville and continues north on U.S. 41 to Ringgold.  Yard Sale signs with stake are available for $5 each at the Visitor Information Center inside the Clarence Brown Conference Center. Signs may be purchased Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Details: olddixiehighwayyardsale.com or Facebook

Corrections, typos or broken links: If you spot a potential fact error or typo, please let us know. Also, if links to any of our stories or advertisers don't work, please let us know. Click Report

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