🌱 White Council Votes + Bond Denied + GA DPH COVID, Flu Update

Good morning! Fresh off the presses is today's quick guide to important happenings in town these days . Let's get this morning started with your copy of the Cartersville Daily. In today's issue, you'll find news about these stories and more:

• White City Council votes for special mayoral election
• Bond denied for alleged child molestator
• Voccio's Viewpoint

But first, today's weather:

Partly cloudy. High: 62 Low: 47.

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Here are the top three stories in Cartersville today:

1. On Jan. 3, members of the White City Council voted unanimously for a special election at “the earliest possible opportunity” (which will be this March) to determine the city’s next mayor. White has been without a mayor since the passing of Mayor Perry Bell on Sept. 24, 2022. Councilwoman Stephanie Nichelsonmade the motion to appoint current City of White Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Curtis Powell as mayor until January 2024, but that motion failed. (Subscription: The Daily Tribune News)
2. A request to set bond for a Cartersville man charged with child molestation was denied in Bartow Superior Court on Jan. 3. Cherokee Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Austin Waldo said he expects the case to be presented to a grand jury on Jan. 9. Cherokee Judicial Circuit Judge Rosemary Greene said "the court would be required to set a bond,” if the case is not indicted on Jan. 9. (Subscription: The Daily Tribune News)
3. Dr. Gary Voccio, health director for the ten-county Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District, provides us with COVID-19 and influenza data through a video update. Dr. Voccio would like to remind us that everyone aged six months and older is eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone in the same age range is also eligible for the flu vaccine, usually with no out-of-pocket expense. Twelve years and older are also eligible for a free COVID-19 booster. The COVID-19 and flu vaccine is available at the Bartow County Health Department. (Bartow County Health Department via Facebook)

Today in Cartersville:

• Dungeons & Dragons for Adults - Cartersville Library (10:00 AM)
• Swell Sound Indie Artist Showcase - The Grand Theatre (7:00 PM)
• Juicebox - Tom's Place (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• "We’re grateful for the leadership of our Piedmont Cartersville Board of Trustees members Ballard Mauldin and Dr. Steven Spivey. After providing guidance for 30 years, Mauldin recently retired from his service. Dr. Spivey completed his year as Medical Executive Committee Chair. We thank these two wonderful individuals for their time served and their support of Piedmont Cartersville." (Piedmont Cartersville Medical Center via Facebook)
• "THANK YOU to the Cartersville-Bartow Community Church Shop Inc. for granting us $2,500! DID YOU KNOW? Proceeds from sales at the Community Church Shop are given as grants to area non-profit organizations. Shop their store on Main St. and your dollars will do good!" (The Bookmobile via Facebook)
• "Save the Date for our 1940s themed event to benefit the Bless Coalition. More details to come but you won't want to miss this fun and worthy event!" (Bless Coalition via Facebook)

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• Girl Scout Camp - Playing the Past (January 21)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you around.

— Josee Noble

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Cartersville Daily? Contact me at Cartersville@Patch.com