#RomeGA | AM 1180 Radio

June 10, 2026

Northwest Georgia Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison

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A Northwest Georgia man with a lengthy criminal history has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl while armed with a firearm.

Sincere M. Billingslea, a three-time convicted felon, received the sentence after being convicted on federal drug and firearm charges stemming from fentanyl distribution activities in northwest Georgia.

According to federal prosecutors, Billingslea sold fentanyl while in possession of a firearm despite being legally prohibited from possessing weapons because of his prior felony convictions. Authorities say the case highlights the ongoing threat posed by fentanyl trafficking, which continues to contribute to overdose deaths and public safety concerns across Georgia and the nation.

Federal officials emphasized that fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, with even small amounts capable of causing fatal overdoses.

Following his prison sentence, Billingslea will also be subject to a period of supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, with prosecution handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

Federal authorities said the sentence reflects their continued commitment to targeting armed drug traffickers and removing dangerous narcotics from communities throughout northwest Georgia.

June 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Camp Season Underway For Scouting America’s Northwest Georgia Council

Local News, Local News Items #BartowCountyGA, #CampSidneyDew, #chattoogacounty, #floydcountyga, #GordonCountyGA, #murraycountyga, #NorthwestGeorgiaCouncil, #OutdoorAdventure, #PolkCountyGA, #RomeGA, #ScoutingAmerica, #Scouts, #SummerCamp, #WhitfieldCountyGA, #wzqznews, #YouthLeadership 0

Summer camp season is officially underway for Scouting America’s Northwest Georgia Council, with hundreds of Scouts preparing for weeks of outdoor adventure, learning, and leadership development at Camp Sidney Dew.

June 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Annual Health Initiative For Men And Women Planned For August In Rome

Local News, Local News Items #100BlackMenOfRome, #August152026, #CancerAwareness, #CancerPrevention, #CommunityHealth, #FloydCounty, #HealthInitiative, #HealthScreenings, #HealthyLiving, #northwestgeorgia, #NorthwestGeorgiaRegionalCancerCoalition, #PreventiveCare, #PublicHealth, #RomeGA, #wzqznews 0

The Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition and the 100 Black Men of Rome-Northwest Georgia are encouraging residents across Northwest Georgia to make plans now to attend the 24th Annual Health Initiative for Men and Women on Saturday, August 15.

June 5, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Sunny Weekend Ahead Before Summer Storm Chances Return Next Week

Local News, Local News Items #CatoosaCountyGA, #chattoogacounty, #CherokeeCountyAL, #DadeCountyGA, #DeKalbCountyAL, #floydcountyga, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #NortheastAlabama, #northwestgeorgia, #RomeGA, #summervillega, #SummerWeather, #Thunderstorms, #trionga, #WalkerCountyGA, #weather, #WeekendForecast, #wzqznews 0

Residents across Chattooga County and the surrounding counties of Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama can look forward to another stretch of pleasant early June weather through the weekend.

June 5, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

GNTC, Floyd County Prison Partnership Opens Career Pathways for Offenders

Local News, Local News Items #CDLTraining, #FloydCountyPrison, #georgianews, #GeorgiaNorthwesternTechnicalCollege, #GNTC, #HighSchoolEquivalency, #PrisonEducation, #ReentryPrograms, #RomeGA, #TruistBank, #WeldingProgram, #WorkforceDevelopment, #wzqznews 0

A partnership between Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) and Floyd County Prison is helping incarcerated individuals prepare for successful reentry into society through education and workforce training.

June 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Armuchee Teacher Turns Survival Story Into Mission To Encourage Blood Donations

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An Armuchee Elementary School teacher who survived a life-changing crash is now using her story to encourage others to donate blood.

June 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Berry College Students Named Gilman Scholars

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Three Berry College students have received Gilman Scholarships to support their study abroad programs in Japan, Spain and Costa Rica this summer.

June 3, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Habitat Coosa Valley Breaks Ground On 62nd Home

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Habitat for Humanity Coosa Valley has broken ground on its 62nd home, which will be built for the Cornejo family.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held Sunday, May 31, at the future home site on Brown Street in East Rome. Habitat officials say the project marks an important step toward providing the family with safe, affordable housing and long-term stability.

Executive Director Betsy Allgood said the home represents more than walls and a roof, calling it a foundation for stability, opportunity, and hope.

Habitat homes are built through partnerships involving volunteers, donors, community organizations, and the future homeowners themselves.

Habitat for Humanity Coosa Valley serves Floyd, Chattooga, and Polk counties. More information about volunteer opportunities or ways to support the organization is available at habitatcoosavalley.org.

June 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Two Men Accused Of Stealing Tractors From Rome Assembly Plant

Local News, Local News Items #AgriculturalEquipment, #ArrestWarrants, #AssemblyPlant, #CaveSpringGA, #CedartownHighway, #CrimeNews, #FelonyCharges, #FloydCounty, #LocalNews, #manufacturing, #northwestgeorgia, #policereport, #RomeGA, #theftbytaking, #TractorTheft, #TYMNorthAmerica, #wzqznews 0

Two men have been arrested on felony theft charges after allegedly stealing tractors and a trailer from TYM North America’s facility on Cedartown Highway in Rome.

According to arrest warrants, 51-year-old Jason Matthew Stewart of Cave Spring and 58-year-old Travis Leslie Patterson of Rome are accused of taking two tractors and a trailer from the facility on May 20.

Authorities said each tractor was valued at $15,000, while the trailer was valued at $1,500.

TYM North America’s Rome operation is part of the company’s agricultural equipment manufacturing and assembly network. The Cedartown Highway facility was previously associated with Branson Tractors before TYM expanded its North American operations, including a multi-million-dollar investment in the Rome location.

Both men were charged with felony theft by taking.

June 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Berry College Earns A+ Financial Health Rating From Forbes For Second Straight Year

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Berry College has once again received national recognition for its financial strength, earning an A+ rating in Forbes’ 2026 College Financial Grades.