Local News

Ridgeferry Park Holiday Fest this Saturday

Wednesday, December 3, 2025–9:45 a.m. -Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation- Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation invites the community to celebrate the season at the upcoming Ridge Ferry Holiday Fest on Saturday, December 6, at Ridge Ferry Park. This festive event promises a full day of holiday cheer, featuring activities and attractions designed for families, children, and visitors…

GNTC’s 2025 Fall Commencement Ceremony set for Thursday night

Wednesday, December 3, 2025–9:30 a.m. -News Release- Approximately 300 students from Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) nine-county service area will exit the Dalton Convention Center on Thursday, Dec. 4, armed with the education and technical training needed to kick-start their careers. The 2025 Fall Commencement Ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. After students, administrators, and…

[VIDEO] 2025 Downtown Rome Christmas Parade Highlights

December 3rd, 2025 – 12:45 AM Ethan Garrett – WRGA Digital News Editor & Video Reporter – Tuesday night, Downtown Rome lit up with joy as crowds gathered to celebrate the start of the holiday season with the 2025 Rome Christmas Parade. Broad Street transformed into a festive scene with this year’s theme being “Christmastime…

More candidates show interest in running for Congress

Tuesday, December 2, 2025–9:40 a.m. -David Crowder, WRGA News- Candidates are continuing to express interest in running for Congress following the recent announcement from Marjorie Taylor Greene that she will be stepping down, effective January 5. Brett Clark is the latest to join the exploratory stage for the upcoming special election in Georgia’s 14th Congressional…

Shannon Kennedy-Newby elected 2025-2026 Chair for the Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors

Tuesday, December 2, 2025–9:20 a.m. -News Release- Shannon Kennedy-Newby, a native of Bay City, Michigan, has been appointed chairperson of the 2025-2026 Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors. Shannon and her husband own Newby Farm + Vineyard in Rome. Shannon is a graduate of Emory University and has made Rome her home since…

Floyd County unveils FY26 Budget

Tuesday, December 2, 2025–8:55 a.m. -David Crowder, WRGA News- The Floyd County Commission held its first public hearing regarding the fiscal year 2026 budget on Monday night. According to Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord, work on the budget began in August. Since November, there have been three budget work sessions as well as meetings with…

Officer-involved shooting in Bartow County

Tuesday, December 2, 2025–12:30 p.m. GBI News Release- At the request of the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, GBI Agents are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Bartow County, GA. One man was shot and killed. No deputies were injured during the incident. Preliminary information indicates that around 4:50 p.m. on December 1, 2025, Bartow County Sheriff’s…

Fatal house fire reported in Cartersville

December 1st, 2025 – 1:55 PM WBHF Radio – A person was found dead after a house fire early Thursday morning on Highway 20 in Cartersville. According to Bartow County Fire and Emergency Services, crews were called just before 1 AM to a home at 5754 Highway 20. Firefighters arrived to find a single-story house…

Rome Christmas Parade on Tuesday

Monday, December 1, 2025–10:20 a.m. -David Crowder, WRGA News- The Christmas season in Rome and Floyd County officially kicks off on Tuesday night. The Rome Christmas Parade will make its way up Broad Street beginning at 7 p.m. Linda Hatcher, who is currently the local Chair and Coordinator for Toys for Tots, is this year’s…

Georgia gas prices down five cents

Monday, December 1, 2025–10:15 a.m. -AAA South- As the holiday traffic thins out across the Peach state, Georgia drivers are finding a bit of relief at the pump. After a week of elevated demand leading into Thanksgiving, the state’s average now stands at $2.82 per gallon as of Monday, though daily fluctuations remain likely. Compared to recent…

Arrest reports for December 1

Monday, December 1, 2025–10:00 a.m. -Floyd County Jail records- Man accused of holding a gun to another man’s side A Silver Creek man is facing a felony aggravated assault charge after a domestic dispute turned violent on Tremont Drive over the weekend. According to Floyd County Jail records: 45-year-old Desmond Lanier Stocks put another man…

AdventHealth Georgia welcomes Marcy Cent as director of oncology services

Sunday, November 30, 2025–3:50 p.m. -News Release- AdventHealth is pleased to announce the appointment of Marcy Cent, MBA,[MR1] as director of oncology services. In this role, Marcy leads the development and advancement of comprehensive cancer care programs, ensuring patients receive exceptional care close to home. Marcy has been instrumental in the construction of the AdventHealth…

Berry College students shine at Rome International Film Festival

Sunday, November 30, 2025–3:40 p.m. -Berry College News Release- Berry College students recently showcased their award-winning work at the Rome International Film Festival. The festival featured a screening of college student films, including “#CRUNK,” produced by Berry student multi-media outlet Viking Fusion. The short film, created as part of Berry’s 48 Hour Film Challenge, won first…

Winter Weather Preparedness Week begins December 1

Sunday, November 30, 2025–3:15 p.m. -News Release- As winter approaches, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), along with the National Weather Service (NWS) is getting ready for Winter Weather Preparedness week, set for Dec. 1-5. This week encourages Georgians to educate themselves about winter weather threats, update or develop a family communications…

Floyd County Commission to hold budget discussions, public hearing on Monday

Saturday, November 29, 2025–3:00 p.m. -David Crowder, WRGA news- The Floyd County Commission will hold a couple of called meetings on Monday, both concerning the fiscal year 2026 budget. A budget workshop will be held at noon in the caucus room, Suite 204 of the county administration building on East Fourth Avenue. “We have spent…

Arrest reports for November 29

Saturday, November 29, 2025–2:30 p.m. -Floyd County Jail records- Man arrested on child molestation warrant A Northeastern Floyd County man was arrested last week on a felony warrant charging him with child molestation. According to the warrant: 30-year-old Joseph Taylor Paynter Jr. molested a female under the age of 16 at his Bunratty Drive home…

Wings Over North Georgia returning early in 2026

Thursday, November 27, 2025–11:15 p.m. -News Release- The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will be the featured performers when the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show returns early to Rome on April 3-4, 2026, at the Russell Regional Airport. The Thunderbirds team is the air demonstration squadron of the U.S. Air Force, based at Nellis Air…

Plans for joint law enforcement center taking shape

Thursday, November 27, 2025–11:10 p.m. -David Crowder, WRGA News- Plans for the joint law enforcement center are becoming a little clearer. The city and county police departments have been relocated to new homes, and the law enforcement center is being renovated for additional courtroom space. Phase one will see the tax commissioner and tag offices…

Injuries reported in Bartow County crash

Thursday, November 27, 2025–11:00 p.m. -WBHF Radio- Several injuries were reported in a three-vehicle crash on Wednesday afternoon on Highway 293 in Bartow County. According to the preliminary report: A Toyota Sequoia crossed into oncoming traffic and struck the left side of the tow truck. The Sequoia traveled off the roadway and collided with a…

[Photos] More than 1,400 fed during Thanksgiving Day Love Feast

Thursday, November 27, 2025–10:40 p.m. -David Crowder, WRGA News- Since 1988, the Thanksgiving Day Love Feast has been feeding anyone who needs a good meal on Thanksgiving Day, and this year was no different. More than 1,400 were served on Thursday. Volunteers began serving the free traditional Thanksgiving dinner at 11 a.m. Thursday at the…