More than $2 million in grants has been awarded to nonprofit organizations across northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama through the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation’s 2026 Community Impact Grant program.
Blood Assurance is urging area residents to donate blood as local hospitals continue using blood faster than donations are coming in ahead of the Independence Day holiday.
From today through July 7, all eligible blood donors will receive a $40 e-gift card that can be redeemed at a variety of participating retailers, including grocery stores and gas stations.
The nonprofit says donations often decline during holiday weeks because of travel and vacation schedules, while hospitals must remain prepared for emergencies and trauma patients. Blood Assurance reports it has recently had less than a one-day supply of blood, platelets, and plasma, well below the recommended two- to three-day inventory needed to meet patient demand.
Blood Assurance is the primary blood supplier for Atrium Health Floyd and AdventHealth Redmond, meaning local donations directly benefit patients in Northwest Georgia.
Type O donors have an opportunity to earn even more. Those enrolled in Blood Assurance’s Hero Club can receive a $50 gift card for a double red cell donation. Combined with the current promotion, eligible donors could receive up to $90 for a single donation.
Appointments can be scheduled at bloodassurance.org, by calling 800-962-0628, or by texting BAGIVE to 999777.
Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation will host the 2026 Independence Day Extravaganza on Saturday, July 4, at Ridge Ferry Park, celebrating 250 years of American independence.
The event, sponsored by Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, begins at 3 PM and will feature family activities, games, water inflatables, food trucks and concessions. Inflatable wristbands will be available for $5.
Live music will be featured on the Coca-Cola stage, including a performance by Makenzie Phipps, a contestant from Season 28 of The Voice.
The evening will conclude with one of the largest fireworks shows in Northwest Georgia at approximately 9:30 PM above Jackson Hill. The fireworks display, produced by Pyrotecnico, will include more than 1,500 fireworks in a red, white and blue celebration.
Parking for the event is $5 and card only. Parking will be available in the main park and Shoals parking lots, and attendees are asked to follow staff directions.
Guests are reminded that large coolers, pets, drones, fires and sparklers are not permitted in Ridge Ferry Park.
For more information, visit rfpra.com.
May is Stroke Awareness Month, and Atrium Health Floyd physician Dr. Michael Gonsalves is reminding residents that recognizing stroke symptoms quickly can save lives.
A free community food distribution will be held today at Beersheba Presbyterian Church in Teloga.
The Teloga Community Food Drive will take place from 10 a.m. until noon, or until supplies run out, at the church located at 9977 Highway 337 in Summerville.
Organizers say no ID is required, but ask residents not to line up before 9:30 a.m.
Volunteers are also needed to help support the event and assist with distribution efforts.
The event is sponsored by Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation and Helping Hands.
A Summerville woman was jailed in Rome after reports said she harassed staff at Atrium Health Floyd.
According to Floyd County Jail records, 43-year-old Treva Misuni Wiggins of Summerville was taken into custody after allegedly contacting the hospital despite previously being banned from the facility.
Reports stated that Wiggins had been informed that Atrium Health Floyd would no longer provide her treatment. Despite that notice, authorities said she allegedly continued to contact the hospital, leading to the charge.
Wiggins was charged with harassing communications.
Representatives from the Georgia Department of Transportation addressed the public Monday ahead of the Rome City Commission meeting, providing an update on the ongoing Second Avenue widening project.
Residents in the Teloga community will have an opportunity to receive free food and lend a helping hand during an upcoming food distribution event later this month.
The Teloga Community Food Drive is scheduled for Saturday, May 23rd, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., or while supplies last. The event will be held at Beersheba Presbyterian Church, located at 9977 Highway 337 in Summerville.
Organizers say no identification is required to receive food, but ask that attendees not line up before 9:30 a.m.
The event will provide free food distribution to those in need and is supported by Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation and Helping Hands.
Volunteers are also needed for the event, with organizers encouraging community members to come out and support their neighbors.
A community blood drive is set for Friday, May 15 at Atrium Health Floyd–Chattooga ER, located at 13583 Highway 27 in Trion.
The drive will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., and organizers say just one donation can help save up to three lives.
Those who donate between May 1st and May 15th will also be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card as part of the Blood Assurance “Local Hero” promotion.
Appointments can be scheduled online at bloodassurance.org/chattoogaer.
Austin Sisk was honored April 27 as the Atrium Health Floyd Good Samaritan Volunteer of the Year, marking a remarkable milestone in his recovery journey following a life-threatening accident in 2022.