Rome News-Tribune
Rome, Floyd go to the polls
Floyd County residents hit the polls Tuesday for what many reported to be a seamless day of voting in the special election runoff for Northwest Georgia’s U.S. House District 14 seat. “The poll workers did a great job; they were really nice,” said Tom...
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Thunderbirds’ performance thrills attendees at airshow
The Wings Over North Georgia Air Show went off without a hitch with droves of attendees gathering at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport, despite the rain, to watch the highly anticipated performance of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. “We had...
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COMPROMISING AND REVISING
State Rep. Eddie Lumsden, Rarmuchee, saw much of his priority legislation gain passage this year — just not in ways he expected. The veteran lawmaker was not the only one working in the hectic final days of the Georgia General Assembly to ensure that...
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‘Largest contamination in history’
Erin Brockovich, a famed environmental advocate, is sounding an alarm on the dangers of forever chemicals in the rivers of Floyd County. Brockovich spoke at a town hall meeting at the Forum Tuesday, as part of efforts to rally the community to speak...
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Giveaway adds 225+ trees to Rome
The first community tree giveaway was a rousing success, if the numbers tell the story. The Rome Tree Board, along with Keep Rome-floyd Beautiful, held the giveaway Saturday at the GE Plant parking lot, and the response was very positive. “We were...
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Exchange Club names Youth of the Year
The Exchange Club of Rome presented its Youth of the Year award Friday to Armuchee High School’s Manrajpreet “Mannu” Singh during its regular meeting. A panel of judges selected the winner from nominations submitted by local high schools. The award...
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Ga. lawmakers negotiate in final week of session
Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-rome, was working at the state Capitol this weekend, getting a jump on the long hours lawmakers will be putting in during the next few days. Tuesday and Thursday are the last two voting days in the 2026 Georgia General...
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Georgia’s hidden industry
It’s been a long time since two fairly innocuous words have caused as much concern as these: data and center. This is the first article in a five-part series on a topic that has placed Northwest Georgia on the frontlines of a national...
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‘It’s heartbreaking’
Floyd County Tax Commissioner Kevin Payne had an office in the Historic Courthouse for nearly a quarter-century. Thursday, he recalled how it felt when he heard the first fire call and began to smell smoke. “Ryan and Blake came running through our...
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‘They saved Broad Street’
Floyd County officials heaped praise on the Rome-floyd Fire Department and other first responders for their performance during the devastating fire that destroyed the historic county courthouse. The Monday fire, which remains under investigation,...
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‘What we’re called to take care of’
At the junction of the Etowah and Oostanaula rivers sits more than a waterfront park; there’s a history that tells the story of “The Rivers Beneath” in a powerful way. A ribbon cutting Monday, March 23, unveiled an art project shaped through...
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‘DEVASTATING’
The tower of Floyd County’s Historic Courthouse fell at about 4 p.m. Monday, as flames engulfed the lower floors of the Rome landmark that had stood at the heart of downtown since 1893. Rome-floyd firefighters responded shortly after 2 p.m. as smoke...
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Local state lawmakers head into final stretch
With five voting days left in the 2026 Georgia General Assembly, Floyd County’s delegates are keeping a close watch on their outstanding legislation. Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-rome, is pushing a bill that would remove the opt-out provision in the...
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Something for everyone
The newly opened Rural King in the Mount Berry Mall appears to have something for everyone. The long-awaited Rural King has opened, though it is in its soft-opening phase, and an official ribbon-cutting with the Rome Floyd Chamber is scheduled for...
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Coyote puppy season
Unless you live in a loft on Broad Street, there’s a good chance you’ve seen, and especially heard, a coyote here in Rome and Floyd County. Well, the University of Georgia wants everybody to know that it’s coyote puppy season, and to be on the...
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Owner vows to reopen Ole Tymer BBQ
The original Ole Tymer BBQ on North Broad Street was damaged by a fire Tuesday night, leaving Floyd County residents concerned about where to get some of their famous breakfast biscuits or hamburgers. However, owner Julie Owens has vowed that they...
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Quiz Bowl tests FCS students’ knowledge
Floyd County Schools gifted students went head-to-head at the district’s annual Quiz Bowl at Berry College recently. Fourth-grade, fifth-grade, sixth-grade and seventh-grade students from Floyd County elementary and middle schools competed in academic...
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Green means go!
There must have been a pot of gold hidden on Broad Street somewhere, because Saturday’s 10th Annual Leprechaun-a-thon was a huge hit as over 500 runners and walkers participated. The Leprechaun-a-thon 5K and 2K Health Walk transformed downtown Rome...
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County library offering Art Club for splash of creativity
The Art Club at the Rome-floyd County Library sprang into being a little more than a year ago, sparked by reflection on a common question. “What would I do if I had unlimited money,” Deanna Headrick asked herself. The answer turned out to be something...
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Mount Berry Trail playground opens
As much as the Mount Berry Trail has already brought enjoyment and recreation to community members, it got a little better Thursday afternoon when the ceremonial ribbon was cut for a new playground at the trailhead behind the U.S. Post Office off...
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TIGERS TAKE THE TITLE
The Darlington Tigers of 2025-26 made school history Wednesday at the Macon Coliseum. With a hard-fought 53-50 victory against defending GHSA Private Boys champion Holy Innocents’, Darlington and head coach Nathan West won their first boys basketball...
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Locals visit Georgia State Capitol
With 10 days remaining in the 2026 Georgia General Assembly, legislators are hard at work fighting for their causes and locals have joined the fight, visiting the State Capitol and advocating for change while seeing what goes into creating state...
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Simple test: ‘Helping prevent tragedy’
When Dale Clements suddenly struggled to breathe after fishing with his grandkids, he had no idea that moment would change the future of his entire family. What started as shortness of breath quickly led to an important discovery. After an...
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Banners up at Floyd leader schools
Armuchee Elementary School was a place of celebration and cheer as students and staff from Floyd County Schools gathered to welcome the state superintendent and celebrate seven schools’ academic achievements. State Superintendent Richard Woods arrived...
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Local lawmakers see some success on ‘crossover day’
Local lawmakers had mixed results last week in ensuring their legislation passed over to the other chamber by Friday’s deadline. Missing the “crossover day” deadline essentially means a bill won’t be considered by the Georgia General Assembly this...
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Naturalization: New citizens are sworn in at federal courthouse
Under normal circumstances, it’s extremely rare to find a brass band and lots of smiling faces if you’re sitting in a courtroom in front of a federal judge. However, Friday morning in the Harold L. Murphy Federal Building in Rome, Federal Magistrate...
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Brick repairs underway at courthouse
If you’ve been to the Floyd County Tax Office recently, you’ve probably noticed several bucket trucks filled with workers precariously perched at the roofline, furiously working like bees on the hive. These workers are performing necessary brickwork...
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Chamber hosts annual meeting at Forum
The Forum River Center was packed Wednesday afternoon as a virtual who’s who of the local business world turned up for the Rome Floyd Chamber’s annual meeting. Chamber President Pam Powers-smith hosted the event, which was presented by Atrium Health...
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Georgia House passes insurance reform package
The Georgia House has sent a package of legislation aimed at addressing insurance costs and violations to the state Senate for consideration. The four bills passed by the House Thursday aim to curb excess insurance industry billing and profits while...
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County honors 3 for Black History Month
The Floyd County Commission marked Black History Month by recognizing three members of the community for their contributions to education, civic engagement, advocacy and historic preservation. The commission recognized Joyce Perdue-smith, Candice...
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Rome City Commission honors ‘Unity in Diversity’
The Rome City Commission honored local residents for their contributions to unity and diversity for its Black History Month ceremony Monday. Those recognized were Kurt Stuenkel, with Atrium Health Floyd; the Watters Family, owners of Integrated...
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New DDS building officially unveiled
Although the new Georgia Department of Driver Services building has been in use since October, state and local officials held the official ribbon-cutting Monday morning. The new building at 3390 Martha Berry Highway is in almost exactly the same place...
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Stop N Go seeks waiver for dingding machines
The Rome City Commission will consider Monday a request for a waiver from its ordinance regulating COAMS, coin operated amusement machines. The Stop N Go at 400 Calhoun Ave. is located between a home and a church and cannot meet the distance...
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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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