#RomeGA | AM 1180 Radio

July 9, 2026

Berry College Receives Nearly $750,000 for Longleaf Pine Restoration Project

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Berry College and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have been awarded nearly $750,000 to restore thousands of acres of longleaf pine habitat in Northwest Georgia.

The project is supported by a $387,100 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with matching funds bringing the total investment to nearly $750,000.

The grant was secured by Dr. Adrienne Ernst, director of the Berry College Longleaf Pine Project, along with collaborators Carlee Steppe and Allison Melcher of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

The funding will be used to restore calcareous flatwoods and montane longleaf pine habitats at Berry College and nearby Georgia DNR Wildlife Management Areas. The project also aims to help recover Mohr’s Barbara’s button, a federally threatened plant species found in the flatwoods.

Officials say more than 3,000 acres will be restored and managed through prescribed burning, invasive species control, and targeted habitat improvements. The team will also develop a 50-year management plan to guide long-term conservation efforts across the landscape.

July 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Greensboro Man Jailed In Rome In Child Kidnapping And Molestation Case

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A Greensboro man was jailed in Floyd County this past week after authorities said he kidnapped an 11-year-old child following inappropriate online communication.

July 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

AdventHealth Redmond Hosting Hiring Event July 17 in Rome

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Job seekers looking for opportunities in healthcare will have a chance to connect with recruiters and hiring managers later this month during a hiring event at AdventHealth Redmond.

June 27, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Floyd County Man Charged With Aggravated Animal Cruelty

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A Floyd County man is facing a felony charge after authorities say he seriously injured a dog with a machete at a Rome hotel.

According to Floyd County Jail records, 25-year-old Joseph Robert Bisher was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals following an incident at a hotel on Martha Berry Boulevard.

Investigators allege Bisher struck a dog named “Oreo” with a machete, causing a deep laceration.

According to the arrest report, when questioned about the incident, Bisher allegedly told authorities he did not want to strike his girlfriend, so he struck the dog instead.

The case remains under investigation.

June 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Berry College Earns National Career Readiness Award

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Berry College has received national recognition for its commitment to preparing students for successful careers, earning an honorable mention from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) for career readiness excellence.

College officials said the award recognizes Berry’s distinctive LifeWorks program, which provides students with meaningful paid work experiences and professional development opportunities throughout their college careers. More than 90 percent of Berry students participate in the program, which offers over 1,000 paid student jobs across more than 180 campus departments.

According to Berry College, 85 percent of graduating seniors credit their student work experiences and supervisors with helping them achieve their career goals. The college also reports that 99 percent of graduates have achieved a positive career outcome within six months of graduation for the past six consecutive years.

Dean of Personal and Professional Development Marc Hunsaker said the recognition reflects the college’s efforts to embed career readiness throughout the student experience, while President Sandeep Mazumder noted that the program helps students connect learning with leadership and future career success.

June 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

AdventHealth to Celebrate Grand Opening of New Cancer Pavilion in Rome

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AdventHealth Redmond will celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its new Cancer Pavilion in Rome on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

The event will take place from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the AdventHealth Cancer Pavilion Rome, located at 641 Braves Boulevard NE in Rome.

The new facility represents a significant investment in expanding access to advanced cancer care services for patients and families throughout Northwest Georgia. According to AdventHealth, the pavilion is designed to provide compassionate, whole-person care while bringing specialized cancer treatment closer to home.

The program will include welcome remarks, special recognitions, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a prayer of dedication for both the care team and patients.

Following the ceremony, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new facility and enjoy light refreshments and beverages.

Community members, healthcare partners, and local leaders are invited to join AdventHealth in celebrating this milestone and the expanded cancer care resources now available in the Rome area.

June 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Cooler, Drier Air Moves Into Northwest Georgia

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A gloomy start across Northwest Georgia will give way to a much more comfortable weather pattern today as a front slowly pushes through the region.

June 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Donald Abernathy Receives Sunflower Award for Outstanding Service and Compassion

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AdventHealth Redmond has recognized Donald Abernathy as the recipient of the Sunflower Award for the first quarter of 2026.

June 19, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Highlands College To Celebrate Community Impact Day June 26

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Georgia Highlands College is inviting students, employees, alumni, families and community members to a special Community Impact Day celebration on Friday, June 26, at its Floyd Campus in Rome.

June 19, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Rome To Celebrate 250 Years Of American Independence With July 4th Extravaganza

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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.