Soroka shines, Braves walk it off

August 17, 2022–7:47 a.m. ROME BRAVES NEWS RELEASE Mike Soroka returned to Rome, Georgia for an MLB rehab appearance on Tuesday night. The Canadian right-hander’s appearance at AdventHealth Stadium was his first since bringing home the South Atlantic League title in 2016. Soroka’s outing marked his first time stepping on a mound since 2020. Rome…

Dr. Eric Holland named sole finalist for Rome superintendent’s job

August 16, 2022–6:11 p.m. STAFF REPORTS Dr. Eric Holland has been named the sole finalist for the job of Rome City School Superintendent.  Holland, an educator with 23 years of experience, most recently served as principal of Rome High School. Just last month, the board voted to release Holland from his contract at Rome High…

GHC president shares vision for the future

August 16, 2022–10:13 a.m. STAFF REPORTS It has been a busy month and a half for Georgia Highlands College President Dr. Mike Hobbs. Recently, the college started a new “Ready to Start” scholarship for any student who falls a few hundred dollars short of paying after financial aid and other scholarships have been applied. GHC…

Limited Monkeypox vaccine available in Northwest Georgia

August 16, 2022–10:11 a.m. NEWS RELEASE The Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District has received limited doses of monkeypox vaccine as part of the distribution of federally funded JYNNEOSTM vaccine to public health districts throughout Georgia. These vaccines are available at no cost to the individual. However, due to a limited number of doses, the vaccines are…

Blood Assurance needs platelet donors

August 16, 2022–10:08 a.m. BLOOD ASSURANCE Blood Assurance is issuing an urgent plea to the public about donating platelets. As of Monday morning, the nonprofit organization only had 32 platelet units available. Blood Assurance needs 75-100 platelet units on its shelves every day to supply more than 70 hospitals around the region.  “Platelets are unique…

Rome High football program among top 10 in state for wins

August 15, 2022–6:45 p.m. NEWS RELEASE Rome High School’s football team finds itself in rare company. The Georgia High School Football Daily released a list of teams from Class 6A with the most wins over the last 10 years and Rome High comes in at No. 7 on the list with 90 wins, 74 coming…

Soroka to rehab in Rome

August 15, 2022–6:27 p.m. STAFF REPORTS Atlanta Braves pitcher and 2019 MLB Rookie of the Year Mike Soroka will be in Rome, beginning Tuesday to rehab with the Rome Braves. Soroka ruptured an Achilles tendon in 2020. He reinjured it in 2021. The Braves organization hopes this will be a major step in his recovery.…

Portion of Biddy Road closed Tuesday

August 15, 2022–6:14 p.m. FLOYD COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS Floyd County Public Works will close Biddy Road at the intersection of Highway 411 Tuesday to replace a cross drain. The road closure will begin at 8 a.m. and will last until Wednesday at 4 p.m. These repairs will have no impact on Highway 411. The detour…

[VIDEO] Floyd County and City of Rome to continue Local Sales Tax Discussions

August 15th, 2022 – 5:15 PM Ethan Garrett – WRGA Digital News Editor & Video Reporter – On Monday afternoon representatives from the City of Rome, Floyd County, and Cave Spring met together as part of the Local Option Sales Tax Committee to come to an agreement for the distribution of the local sales tax…

Georgia gas prices down 11 more cents

August 15, 2022–9:28 a.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices continue to decline at the pump compared to a week ago. Monday’s state average of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline is 11 cents less than a week ago, 59 cents less than a month ago, but 56 cents more than this time last year.  Georgia’s average is trending 43…

Public hearings set for 411 connector

August 15, 2022–9:17 a.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION The Georgia Department of Transportation is seeking feedback regarding the proposed Rome-Cartersville Development Corridor which would provide a direct connection from Highway 411 to I-75. There will be a live virtual 2-hour Question and Answer session on September 1 from 1 until 3 p.m. There will be…

Election 2022: What voters need to know

August 15, 2022–7:23 a.m. FLOYD COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION Early voting for November 8, 2022, General Election will begin Monday, October 17 and continue through Friday, November 4 at the Floyd County Elections Office, located at 18 East 12th Street, Rome. Early Voting hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The last…

Local sales tax discussions resume Monday

August 14, 2022–2:17 p.m. STAFF REPORTS Local Option Sales Tax discussions will continue Monday afternoon. The LOST committee will meet at 1 p.m. at Rome City Hall. Representatives from the City of Rome, Floyd County, and Cave Spring are trying to come to an agreement for the distribution of the local sales tax revenues. They…

Rome Alcohol Control Commission meets Monday

August 14, 2022–2:12 p.m. STAFF REPORTS The Rome Alcohol Control Commission will conduct a license hearing for Peaches at 325 Broad Street when they meet Monday evening. The hearing is in reference to a fight at the establishment. The ACC will also consider a new Beer & Wine Pouring License at Game of Throwns at…

Qualifying for Rome School Board seat starts Monday

August 14, 2022–2:10 p.m. STAFF REPORTS Although this is not a typical municipal election year, there will be a contest for the Rome City School Board on the November ballot. Candidate qualifying for that seat starts Monday, according to Rome City Clerk Joe Smith. “One of those seven members resigned earlier this year,” he said. …

Arrest made in connection to Bomb Threat at FCSO

August 14, 2022–1:52 p.m. FLOYD COUNTY JAIL RECORDS A 47-year-old Summerville woman found herself behind bars after calling in a bomb threat to the Floyd County Jail on Friday. According to the arrest warrant, Beth Raylene Neighbors called the jail and spoke to a deputy at central control. She then asked the deputy “How do…

Rome High School Football Players Show Heroic Actions During Traffic Accident

August 12th, 2022 – 3:40 PM Rome City Schools Press Release – The following quote is an eye-witness account from Luis Goya, an educator at Rome City Schools: “This morning I witnessed something amazing that our Football players did. While I was in front of the school during my morning duty, I heard a loud…

Centre Man arrested after Motorcycle Chase

August 12th, 2022 – 3:12 PM via WEIS Radio – On Thursday night a Centre Alabama man was arrested after he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase. The suspect has been identified as 44-year-old Jason Day. According to a report by WEIS Radio, a state trooper attempted to stop Mr. Day’s motorcycle, which was…

Gov. Kemp Dedicates $240M for New Grant Program to Expand High-Speed Internet

August 12th, 2022 – 2:45 PM Office of the Governor of the State of Georgia – On Friday morning Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced the investment of $240 million to support the continued expansion of high-speed internet services to Georgians. These funds will be made available through the Capital Projects Fund Grant Program (CPF). CPF…

GHC leadership creates ‘Ready to Start’ scholarship 

August 12th, 2022 – 11:50 AM Georgia Highlands College – Alongside the Georgia Highlands College Foundation, the leadership team at GHC has created a new scholarship to help students pay for college. The new “Ready to Start” scholarship is for any student who falls a few hundred dollars short of paying after financial aid and…