Hometown Headlines

-Saturday: Sunny, high of 59, low of 23. Gusts: 20 mph.
-Sunday: Sunny, high of 57, low of 25. Gusts: 20 mph.

-Downtown Development Authority Coffee Break updates: The Friday morning meeting was hosted by The Partridge, which begins breakfast service in February. Other news: St. Petrick's Day Parade returns March 17 at 11 a.m., beginning at Bridgepoint Plaza. The NAIA football committee shared notes of appreciation for the hospitality shown during the title game at Barron Stadium in December. Also: Updates on Redmond Regional Medical Center's ‘Redmond Has Heart’ community education event at the Forum Feb. 20 and the Heart of the Community Walk on Feb. 25.

-Feb. 18: Women Build 2013 sponsors the Second Annual
Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s; seatings at 8-9 a.m. or 9-10 a.m. Cost $7 (includes a $5 coupon for next visit to Applebee’s).
Tickets on sale at HomeMart. Details: Dee at 706-378-0030.

-Hunter Hays, a seventh-grade student at Model Middle School, is the repeat champion of the Gifted Education Middle School Oratorical Contest. 2012 winners

-The coffee shop is setting up just inside the main entrance way to Redmond Regional Medical Center as work continues in the lobby area. Look for the first cup of coffee or Honeymoon Bakery breakfast item to be served as of 6:30 a.m. next Wednesday

You knew this would happen. The building that had been home to Santa Fe Cattle Co. is getting a lot of attention from Facebook users. Some of the guestimates include a new home for Five Guys Burgers & Fries, which quickly exited Shorter Avenue but not before corporate said a return was likely (won't happen); Taco Mac (probably too small of a venue but perfect for this market); or maybe Loco's Grill. Put some stock in that last one; there are some Rome connections already.

-Three Rome restaurants score below 60; 15 other earn 95 or better in latest public health inspections. Dining

Chamber presents Small Business, Ambassador of the Year awards Thursday night. Among those honored were: Small Business of the Year: Right at Home of Northwest Georgia; ambassador of the year: Zach Green, formerly with Edward Jones Investments; and Wesley Johnson Leadership Award winner: Harry Brock.

-New: Chamber photos from annual meeting. Pictured: 2011 chair Greg Sumner hands gavel to 2012 chair Angie Lewis.

-We have a new "navigation" bar starting today across the top of our pages, designed to bring together our most popular web pages, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, our page for mobile updates and our blog as well as a link to our news partners at WRGA 1470 AM.

-Our first "advertorial" page premieres. Rome Dining Guide, offers restaurant operators a spot to tell their story. This week's snapshot features 333 on Broad.

-We thank our guests today including Layla Shipman of the Young Republicans on the latest debate and Florida primary; Joe McCutcheon on the primary; and Dawn Tolbert on Shorter University's continuing growth.

Jan. 28: Georgia School for the Deaf to host the 60th annual Mason-Dixon Basketball Tournament.

-Ten basketball teams from across the Southeast are at GSD for games continuing today and the championship game at 8 p.m. Saturday. Also: Dstinguished Service Awards with three area residents being honored: Alan Douglas English, Erik Whitworth and Ezekiel McDaniel Sr. Details

Austen Justice, 14, a Tiger, goes for a shot. The Tigers lost to the Tennessee School for the Deaf 58-35 but play Virginia School for the Deaf at 8:45 this morning in the Whitworth Gym. Photo: Katherine Kennedy,

-Jan. 30: The Rome Braves' 10th Annual Hot Stove Gathering is scheduled for 5:30 until 8 p.m. at The Forum and leading the roster of guests is Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. Proceeds from the event benefit the Braves Miracle Field of Rome which broke ground last August. Sports

Bill would end redirection of state fees
GA colleges get more construction money
HOT lane moratorium bill filed: A conversation with Sen. Curt Thompson (D-Gwinnett)
Democrats target immigration law at public hearing
Lawmakers introduce truancy bill
Bill would require welfare recipients to work on 'personal growth'

Local politics: Click for more

-Jan. 28: The Floyd County Republican Party's monthly breakfast meeting, Western Sizzlin. Guests: County Commission Chair Irwin Bagwell and Co-Chair Garry Fricks speaking on county issues. The event is open to the public. Breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m. for $8/person with the meeting starting at 9. Details: Layla Shipman, 706-853-9014 or email.

-Feb. 2: Rome Tea Party's Pot Roast, Politics and Policy, 6:30-8 p.m., Fuddruckers. Featuring "incumbent" speakers: County commissioners Irwin Bagwell, Garry Fricks; Sheriff Tim Burkhalter; Tax Commissioner Kevin Payne; and Floyd County School Board member David Cox.

The Floyd County Elections Office seeks poll workers to assist with elections to be held during 2012. Politics

-Absentee voting starts Saturday for Georgia's presidential primary; advance voting starts Feb. 13. Primary

-Your link to 2012 campaign contributions: Reports through Dec. 31 from the State Ethics Commission. Politics

Floyd County Schools Pre-K registration period to apply for the 2012-2013 school year is Feb. 20-March 2. Rome Kids

Jan. 28: Gigantic book sale in the Children’s Department
of the Rome Floyd County Library. All books are 25 cents. Classics, Harry Potter, fiction and non-fiction titles available. The sale will be from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Jan. 28: The Lochs and Hills Celtic Association of Rome will present the 8th annual Robert Burns Dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Magretta Hall. Chef George Kastanias will prepare a Scottish feast and there will be live music by the Ceilidh (KAY-lee) Celtic Ensemble. The cost for meal and entertainment is $25 per person, and reservations are needed by Jan. 25. Details: Janet Baltzer at 706-234-6317.

Jan. 28: Allegro Dance Company Winter Concert, 8 p.m., presented by the Rome Area Council for the Arts. Ticket are $12 for adults and $7 for students, and may be purchased at the door. Come to an evening of modern dance with a special guest Giancarlo Solinas from Rome, Italy.

Jan. 29: The Floyd County Commission will conduct a Work Session at 2:30 p.m. for the purpose of discussing legislative and policy objectives for 2012, and any other items the Board deems appropriate. The meeting will be held in room M103 on the Marquis level of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis where commissioners will be attending a legislative conference.

Jan. 30: Coosa River Basin Initiative’s Annual Membership Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Georgia Northwestern Technical College (Rome Campus). Included: Panel discussion on dams and water supply reservoirs in the Upper Coosa River Basin. Panelists: John Bennett, Rome City Manager and chairman of the Coosa North Georgia Water Planning Council; Gil Rogers, an attorney with Southern Environmental Law Center; and Scott Cole, an attorney and reservoir consultant with Hall, Booth, Smith & Slover. CRBI will also present its 2011 Annual Report and recognize key volunteers and supporters. CRBI

Feb. 2: The Shane Richardson Memorial Adult Spelling Bee, benefitting Harbor House, begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Krannert Center at Berry College. $250 entry fee for team of three adults (age 18 and up). Bob Berry is the master of ceremonies and the word caller is Susan Carlson from the Sara Hightower Library. Returning Champions: The Loquacious Litigators from McRae, Stegall, Peek, Harman, Smith & Manning. Contact: Gail Garland, Harbor House, at (706) 235-5437 x 15.

Feb. 3: The Rome committee of Ducks Unlimited will host its annual Membership and Fund Raising Dinner at The Forum at 6 p.m. "We are looking forward to a great crowd at this year’s 75th Anniversary dinner," said committee chairman David Culp of Rome. Details

Feb. 13: Triple Threat Arts Company will perform its second Holiday Dinner Theatre production for Valentine’s Day at The Palladium. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. Details: website or 706-728-6200 (reservations required).

Feb. 17: The Georgia Southern University Faculty Brass & Percussion will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Berry College Ford Auditorium. The brass and percussion faculty will perform a wide variety of styles. The event is free and open to all.

Feb. 20: Redmond Regional Medical Center is hosting the ‘Redmond Has Heart’ community education event at the Forum from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Redmond will share heart health information and education with local middle and high schools, colleges and all interested community members. The free vent features the Ameriheart exhibit, a walkthrough, interactive heart exhibit which educates visitors on heart anatomy, disease and disease prevention. Redmond

Feb. 24-26: Darlington’s fine arts department presents Broadway's 'Crazy for You,' Rome City Auditorium. Friday-Saturday shows, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Admission: $10 adults; $7 for children, students and seniors. For more

Feb. 25: Fourth Annual Heart of the Community Walk kicks off at 10 a.m. at Citizen’s First Bank. The walk honors heart disease survivor Terry Simmons, a State Farm Insurance Agent and two-time survivor of heart complications. Heart walk

Feb. 28: 12th Annual 'A Night at the Movies,' benefitting the Exchange Club Family Resource Center. Sponsored by Rome Cinemas and the Rome Hospitality Association. Hors d oeuvres and drinks at 6 p.m.; your choice of six movies at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person, two for $75 or groups of 10 or more, $35 each. Details: 706-290-0764.

March 1: Floyd County Courthouse security gets tighter: One key change will be the ban on all cell phones, says Sheriff Tim Burkhalter. That's similar to the federal courthouse standards as well. The only exceptions at the Floyd courthouse will be cell phones used by staff, judges and attorneys.

The Noon Optimist Club of Rome, Mondays at 11:45 a.m., Three Rivers Club at State Mutual Stadium. The public is welcome. noonoptimists@comcast.net

- Feb. 16: Dr. Randy Sumner will discuss his trip to Ethiopia with Rotary’s PolioPlus effort at global eradication of the disease

Rome Toastmasters meet second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6 p.m. at the library. Website

-March 2: STAR Student and Teacher recognition at the Exchange Club of Rome.

Humane Society meets second Thursday: The meetings begin at 7 p.m. at 518 Broad St. Everyone is welcome. 706- 234-7979.

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