Rome News-Tribune
Students experience history, culture, beauty on class trips
Traveling is a great way to experience and learn new things. It can open your eyes to new people, culture, history and of course new sights and sounds. A slew of Darlington students recently experienced enriching travel adventures as they got to see...
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Rome welcomes Trump
President Trump made a whirlwind visit to Rome Thursday, visiting The Varsity and ending with a rally at Coosa Steel, where he extolled the benefits of his tariffs in front of a raucous crowd. The atmosphere was almost electric as he hit the stage,...
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A season of fasting, reflection begins
This is the week of Ash Wednesday, a solemn day of fasting and reflection that signals the start of Lent, the most penitential season of the church calendar for Catholics and many other Christians. On Ash Wednesday, many Christians go to church for a...
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The students’ perspective
The Montessori School of Rome celebrated its 45th annual International Day presentation Feb. 12 and 13. Each year, the classrooms choose a country to adopt. After months of learning the history, geography, music, art, food and festivals of their...
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City of Rome holds its Arbor Day celebration
As the afternoon sunshine spread its warmth on North Stars Park, the City of Rome celebrated Arbor Day, congratulating several organizations on their tireless efforts in helping to keep the town thriving in greenery. “We need trees as much as trees...
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MDA works to build youth through sports, service
Mike and Stephanie Dean understand the benefits of sports as more than just a physical exercise. As athletes themselves, they learned valuable lessons in their youth that they hope to pass on to a new generation. Mike Dean Athletics Sports Academy in...
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Students and their families transported across the world
From the halls of Ancient Greece and the forests of Japan to the snowy banks of Canada and the Vikings of Denmark, students at the Montessori School of Rome took parents and students on a journey through seven cultures during their annual International...
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Parky, Rex turn out for pet parade
Johnson Elementary School held its second annual pet parade Thursday featuring the Rome-floyd Parks and Recreation Department’s mascots, Parky and Rex. Children and their parents brought their pets to school for the event, which was part of the...
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Floyd County honors law enforcement
Floyd County commissioners recognized outstanding service and professionalism within the county police department during its Tuesday meeting. Each year, selected officers are presented with these awards by Police Chief Mark Wallace to spotlight...
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Students put their skills to the test
Middle school students from across the state gathered at Shorter University to compete in the 2025-2026 Georgia Science Olympiad Division B Regional competition. Science Olympiad is a nationally recognized STEM program that engages students in...
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ESP Rome celebrates its members in a magical way
An audience of family, friends and community supporters were dazzled by a display of joy and celebration Saturday evening when ESP Rome hosted its second annual Big Hearts event. The fundraising celebration is a talent show in which Extra Special...
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World Read Aloud Day fosters love for literature
Every year, community members step up to support literacy through entertainment and excitement for our local school children by the simple act of reading them a book during World Read Aloud Day. Several schools had special guests take time out of...
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Locals learn what goes on at Capitol
The Georgia General Assembly just completed the 14th day of the 2026 legislative session, and in those few weeks, the State Capitol was inundated with locals from Rome and Floyd County, either bringing issues they feel passionate about to the floor or...
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HEART on display at Rome’s Town Green
If you’re looking for a dose of vibrant color as we wait for spring to get here, head over to Rome’s Town Green where local artists are once again displaying their HEARTS on the side of the Third Avenue Parking Deck. The annual collaboration between...
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RING THAT BELL
The ringing of a bell is a joyous sound of celebration, and for Laura Roberson and her family, that sound has taken on a special meaning; it signifies the end of an arduous fight with cancer and a return to a semi-normal life. January, in a hallway...
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Back to school, back to fun
The first month of school in 2026 has come to a close, and Unity Christian School had a jam-packed month filled with hands-on lessons and days of fellowship and worship. The spring semester began Jan. 5, and in the four weeks school was back in...
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Lasting impact of service
Community service is an integral part of life at Berry College, as it was a pillar of founder Martha Berry’s vision for the school, and for many students, their service reshaped how they viewed the world and their role in the lives of those around...
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Local lawmakers head back to the Gold Dome
Local lawmakers return to Atlanta on Monday for Day 10 of the 40-day Georgia General Assembly. Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-rome, has a 3 p.m. meeting scheduled for the Senate Finance Committee he chairs. They’ll consider Senate Bill 403 addressing...
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Faces of Hope exhibit unveiled
For 10 years, Miriam Little helped connect cancer patients to the resources they needed on their cancer journey. She had never had cancer herself, but her experience in social work gave her the tools to help those who had. That all changed in 2023,...
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Open Door Home shares success stories
The director of the Open Door Home for abused and neglected children spoke to the Rotary Club of Rome Thursday about the nonprofit’s mission and the ways it has impacted the people in their care. Tracie Ball said the mission includes helping the...
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East Central students take 1st and 2nd place
Many people have a day from their time at school that they look back on with pride. For best friends Lucy Larsen and Samantha Acas, Friday will be remembered as the day they competed together and won first and second place at the Rome City Schools 2026...
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West End celebrates new court
At every Rome City Schools event, Superintendent Eric Holland imparts the message “not one of us is as great as all of us.” That statement was shown to be true at the Thursday ribbon-cutting for West End Elementary School’s new basketball court, which...
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Educating the head, heart and hands
Berry College Elementary and Middle School was filled with families and prospective students as the staff took the opportunity to showcase what makes BCEMS special at an open house. The Friday morning event offered visitors a glimpse into the vibrant...
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Gabby Johnson wins FCS Spelling Bee
“Hollow,” “moment,” “gyroplane” and “craven” are just a few of the words 13 Floyd County Schools students were tasked with spelling at the 2026 FCS Spelling Bee Tuesday, where students from almost all of the county schools competed for a spot at the...
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King Day message: Long work of justice ‘can’t be outsourced’
Afour-day weekend of events in Rome honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. concluded Monday with the Freedom March, which drew hundreds, some holding signs, others holding hands as they made their way down Broad Street. On a blustery morning they walked,...
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Building community
Rome’s four-day celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday wraps up Monday with the annual Freedom March down Broad Street to city hall. Participants are encouraged to gather at 11 a.m. at the corner of First Avenue and Broad Street for the...
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A celebration of beauty and girlhood
Many little girls dream of being a princess from a young age, and every year Unity Christian School fulfills that wish, turning its elementary school girls into princesses for a day and giving every woman in the Unity community a chance to be a...
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Five Points ceremony honors MLK’S birthday
For the first time in nearly a decade, a wreath has been laid in a place of prominence in Rome to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Thursday, a ceremony was held at a monument dedicated to the civil rights icon at Five Points to mark King’s birthday,...
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Almost play time on Mount Berry Trail
A new playground is nearing completion on the Mount Berry Trail as part of Redmond’s sponsorship of the Adventhealth ECO Greenway announced in 2023. The Mount Berry Trail starts behind the U.S. Post Office off Martha Berry Boulevard, and loops around...
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Canine adventure: Dryland Challenge returns to Rome
There were some athletic and excited canines as well as their enthusiastic owners at the GE Trails in West Rome this weekend. The Capitolina Dryland Challenge returned to Rome, bringing a unique brand of racing. In a dryland race, competitors race on...
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Bulls, boots and big crowds
Three Rivers Bull Riding returned to the Forum River Center Friday night, drawing families and bull riding fans for opening night of its 18th year. The event continues Saturday at 8 p.m. Fans lined up before the doors opened at 6 p.m., with children...
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Jonah Houston rides the challenge
A simple dare was all it took to put Jonah Houston on the back of a bull. “He bet me I couldn’t,” Houston said, recalling the moment that a friend sparked his interest in bull riding. Houston, a 21-year-old Rome firefighter, will again compete in the...
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Local residents bring out their Christmas trees for recycling
Rome and Floyd County residents came out in force Saturday, Jan. 3, for the annual Bring One for the Chipper Christmas tree recycling event hosted by Keep Rome-floyd Beautiful at the Home Depot parking lot. But instead of running the trees through a...
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Romans bring their X-mas trees out to be recycled
Rome and Floyd County residents came out in force Saturday, Jan. 3, for the annual Bring One for the Chipper Christmas tree recycling event hosted by Keep Rome-floyd Beautiful at the Kroger parking lot. But instead of running the trees through a...
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Chilly New Year tradition draws record crowd
A record crowd braved the cold to take a dip for the annual Polar Plunge in Cave Spring New Year’s Day. According to organizer Christa Jackson, 176 took the plunge into waters at Rolater Park with a cold temperature of about 50 degrees — the high for...
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GLIDING ACROSS THE ICE
As the holiday season wraps up, skaters continue to pack the temporary ice skating rink set up at Ridge Ferry Park. The rink, in front of the Cocacola Stage, will operate through Sunday, Jan. 19. Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for children under...
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‘You have to go in each day fresh and new’
From field trips to the Mercedes-benz Stadium tobeing named teacher of the month, the fall semester at Rome Middle School has been eventful for firstyear teacher Lauren Davis. Her journey underscores the importance of a strong support system to...
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A day of biking at Banty Jones Park
One of the most popular gifts for children on Christmas Day is a new bike, so TRED organized an event for all new bike owners in Rome. At the updated Banty Jones Park, the Saturday after Christmas, TRED held Banty’s Bike Basics, an afternoon of bike...
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Local lawmakers have bills set to go
The Georgia General Assembly is slated to reconvene Jan. 12 for the second year of its two-year term. That means two things: it’s an election year for all members and any legislation that didn’t pass last session will start this session where it left...
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HISTORY ON THE HILLSIDE
On a hillside in Cave Spring sits a pocket of history. Once covered in kudzu and hidden among the trees, Fairview School lay forgotten for decades before Joyce Perdue-Smith rediscovered it and embarked on a 16-year journey of preservation and...
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Christmas with a Cop brings cheer to kids
If you walked into the East Rome Walmart Saturday morning and saw a host of law enforcement waiting by self-checkout, they weren’t there because of an emergency. They were simply spreading Christmas cheer to 66 children in need. Families walked in the...
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‘A celebration of creativity and innovation’
Hundreds of attendees crowded into Hackberry Labs at Berry College to view the latest inventions from Berry students during the semiannual Tech Expo. The Hackberry Tech Expo is held at the end of each semester to showcase students’ work. The work...
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Spreading cheer for all to hear
The Rotary Club of Rome was treated to Christmas and holiday music Thursday, Dec. 18, as the Rome High School Wind Ensemble performed during the club’s luncheon meeting. The ensemble, made up of the school’s advanced and mastery band students, played...
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Injured player returns for Christmas tourney
A Darlington High School senior was back on the court in the Rome Seven Hills Rotary Christmas Tournament after being sidelined since a devastating injury at last year’s tournament. Presley Dixon, a multisport athlete and all-region basketball...
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Spring Creek Baptist Church stages Bethlehem village and live Nativity
Armed guards protected the gates into Bethlehem as well as the people inside. There was a bustling market with merchants selling everything from candles to vegetables and even a blacksmith. It was an imagined scene brought to life by the members of...
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‘CHRISTMAS IN KILLARNEY’
Audiences at the Desoto Theatre enjoyed festive music, dancing and bit of Irish culture Tuesday when the venue played host to “Christmas in Killarney.” The show was presented by Kerry, an Irish global taste and nutrition company with operations in...
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CULTURE, COLOR AND CREED
A colorful and impactful display of culture and faith took place on the evening of Dec. 12 as hundreds of Rome and area residents made their way down Broad Street to the Forum for a night of worship and celebration. The event was the Our Lady of...
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Cave Spring Christmas Parade 2025
The Cave Spring Christmas Parade took place Dec. 13, making its way through downtown Cave Spring to the delight of hundreds of residents and visitors. The theme of this year’s parade was Candy Land Christmas. The grand marshals of the parade were...
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GIVING THE GIFT OF JOY
The Christmas and holiday season means something different for everyone who celebrates. For some, it’s a time of joy and festivity as families come together, but for Joyce Gaston, it’s a time of giving to those less fortunate, ensuring they have a...
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Alto Park students embark on a journey of sweet learning
The halls were alive with sugarsweet creativity at Alto Park Elementary School Friday as several classes took part in Candy Land Day. The day inspired by the confectionery board game gave students a unique hands-on learning experience they won’t soon...
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Cancer pavilion marks milestone
AdventHealth leaders, caregivers and community members gathered Wednesday for a topping-off ceremony marking a major milestone in the construction of the new cancer pavilion set to open next summer in Rome. Karen Steely, AdventHealth Georgia Chief...
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’Tis the Season in Lindale: Christmas Parade brings community together
The annual Lindale Christmas Parade made its way through the community on Dec. 6. There were colorful floats, classic cars, lots of motorcycles, a vintage fire truck and, of course, Santa Claus. Here are just a few snapshots from the beloved local...
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Ridge Ferry Holiday Fest
Rome-floyd Parks and Recreation recently welcomed hundreds of kids and their families at Ridge Ferry Park for a day of Christmas festivities during their annual Ridge Ferry Holiday Fest. While they host this event each year, they added a few items to...
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Forum hosts concert featuring award-winning Christian artists
The Forum River Center hosted a night of music and a little Christmas magic on Dec. 5. “The Very Merry Christmas & More Tour” featured award-winning Christian artists Colton Dixon, Newsong and Building 429 as well as Rome musician Daniel...
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From baseball to belief
Shorter University celebrated its mission and ministry Thursday night during its annual President’s Gala, where Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz told supporters that his life — on and off the mound — has been shaped by learning to “trust the one who...
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Mound to ministry
Shorter University hosted its annual President’s Gala, bringing together students, faculty, board members and supporters to celebrate the school’s mission and ministry. The event Thursday featured remarks from university leaders, including Shorter...
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Follow the Yellow Brick Road
They’ve done it again. The team of talented bakers and decorators at Honeymoon Bakery have once again created a confectionery fantasy for the public to enjoy. Each year the bakery designs and makes a large gingerbread creation which they display for...
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Adventhealth Rome Turkey Trot raises $15K
Participants in the AdventHealth Rome Turkey Trot raised $15,000 for Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries, helping provide meals and support for Floyd County families in need. Everybody has their traditions for Thanksgiving morning. For some it’s...
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Rome Christmas Parade 2025
The weather was crisp and cold Tuesday night as thousands of people from Rome and surrounding areas attended the “Christmastime in the City” Christmas Parade on Broad Street. There were almost 130 floats and assorted vehicles, according to parade...
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Hundreds of participants ready their floats for Christmas Parade
Although it was a drizzly, overcast Tuesday afternoon, that didn’t stop excited Rome residents from working together to decorate the colorful floats that would be stars of the Rome Christmas parade Tuesday night. In parking lots and on side streets...
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ON A MISSION
Schools throughout Georgia have implemented Career, Technical and Agricultural Education courses to provide students with a wellrounded education. Rome Middle School took that mission to the next level by weaving community service into its...
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Rome City Schools leaders work to ‘Move the Needle’
Rome City Schools students are heading back to classes Monday after their holiday break but some school staffers were on last week, for a leadership seminar with motivational speaker Steve Dennis at the College and Career Academy. Principals,...
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Black Friday sparks the holiday shopping season
Rome’s Broad Street was busy Friday as shoppers, looking for that unique holiday gift, turned their sights downtown, enjoying the sunshine and cool temperatures while shopping for Black Friday deals downtown. “We’re seeing a lot of foot traffic on...
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Labor of love creates magic for Christmas
Everyone has their own traditions that mark the start of the Christmas season, whether it’s picking out a tree or hanging Christmas lights. For the residents at the Renaissance Marquis, their holidays begin with the reveal of the annual Gingerbread...
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Freedom Seekers deliver the goods
The Freedom Seekers Motorcycle Club kick-started their 29th annual Toys for Tots program over the weekend in impressively loud style, delivering toys and a check for $11,000 to organizers of the toy drive. Every year, the club meets in Cave Spring at...
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All you can eat
Despite a little rain, hundreds of Rome residents turned out at the Rome Civic Center Saturday morning for the 65th annual Noon Optimist Pancake Breakfast. Family and friends sat at the many tables inside the center, enjoying unlimited freshly made...
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Unity Christian Lions win football state title
EDITOR’S NOTE A page commemorating Unity Christian’s 12-0 state championship season will be available in the Tuesday, Nov. 25, edition of the Rome News-tribune. Unity Christian’s 2025 football season will forever be spotless. With a 33-13 win over...
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Community gathers to celebrate Veterans Day
Hundreds of people across Rome and Floyd County took time Tuesday to celebrate those who have served in the military and the sacrifices they made for the country. While the city held a Veterans Day parade downtown, schools in the area and local...
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‘Man in the Arena’ benefit raises 5K for Summit Quest
President Theodore Roosevelt once said credit belongs to the man in the arena, one with the courage to strive for a worthy cause even in the face of potential failure, rather than choosing the comfort of the sidelines. “That quote captures the ethos...
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Aha moments abound during West End Elementary STEM night
West End Elementary was filled with smiles of excited discovery and frowns of intense concentration during the school’s construction-themed STEM night Friday. Students had a blast, officials said, experimenting and expanding their skills at hands-on...
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Growth, resilience and persistence
A crowd gathered in front of the Lakeview Healthcare Education Center on the Georgia Highlands College Floyd Campus Thursday to celebrate the start of the building’s nearly $12 million renovation — a project made possible with the help of state...
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