Joseph Weldon Hubbard, 46, of Armuchee, was arrested in Floyd County this past week after reports said he was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine and a smoking device.
According to reports, Hubbard was found with the suspected drugs near the Checkers restaurant on North Broad Street.
Hubbard is charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug-related objects.
Traveling into downtown Rome by way of Second Avenue has been a source of frustration for many drivers as the ongoing road construction project continues.
Representatives from the Georgia Department of Transportation District 6 will provide a public informational update on the Second Avenue widening project on Monday, May 11, 2026. The presentation is scheduled from 5 until 6 PM in the City Commission Chambers upstairs at Rome City Hall.
GDOT officials are expected to share updates on construction progress, project timelines, and ongoing work related to the widening project.
State Representative Katie Dempsey of Rome thanked GDOT District 6 officials for continuing to communicate with local leaders and residents throughout the process.
The presentation will also be livestreamed through the City of Rome YouTube Channel, the same way regular Rome City Commission meetings are streamed
Northwest Georgia residents should prepare for several more rounds of showers and thunderstorms through Monday as an unsettled weather pattern lingers across the region. Forecast confidence remains low regarding exact timing and storm intensity, but forecasters say periods of rain and thunderstorms are expected through the weekend and into the start of the new week.
Northwest Georgia will enjoy cooler temperatures Friday before a warming trend settles in over the weekend, but rain and thunderstorms are expected to return beginning Saturday and continuing into Sunday. Forecasters say another half-inch to two inches of rain could fall across portions of the region through the weekend.
The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that Northwest Georgia’s unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a point over the month to 3.3 percent.
That compares to 3.2 percent one year ago.
The region’s labor force increased by 2,155 over the month and by 4,086 over the year, reaching 459,952, an all-time high. The number of employed residents also rose, increasing by 2,996 over the month and 3,515 over the year to 444,625, also an all-time high.
Initial unemployment claims were up by 718 over the month and by 852 over the year, reaching 2,557.
Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes said the numbers are a strong sign during Economic Development Week, noting that more Georgians are securing jobs that support families and strengthen communities.
Stabilization work is continuing on the Historic Floyd County Courthouse following the March 23 fire, as crews move closer to securing the damaged structure.
Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord said contractors have already removed loose brick and coping from the building. Unstable gable ends have also been taken down where the roof structure no longer exists, and two damaged walls in the main courtroom behind the bell tower have been removed.
Crews are still monitoring cracks on the Tribune Street side of the courthouse.
The next major step is a stabilization process known as banding. McCord said a support band will be placed around the building about 45 feet up. Scaffolding is expected to go up this week, and the banding work could begin as early as Friday.
McCord said securing the building is the primary goal, especially so streets around the courthouse can safely reopen. The current target date for reopening the roads is May 22, though officials hope that could happen sooner if work goes smoothly.
McCord acknowledged the closures have been a major disruption, especially with a river crossing shut down in Rome and Floyd County.
All stabilization work is being covered by insurance.
Georgia Highlands College will celebrate hundreds of graduates during commencement events set for May 14th and May 15th in Rome.
The college will hold three events this year at the Floyd Campus gym, located at 3175 Cedartown Highway.
Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for Thursday, May 14th, at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Nursing Pinning and Commencement Ceremony will be held Friday, May 15th, at 10:30 a.m.
Due to limited seating, attendance will be restricted to graduates and four guests per graduate. GHC identification and guest passes will be required to enter the venue area.
For those unable to attend in person, livestreams of the ceremonies will be available through the college website at highlands.edu, as well as on Georgia Highlands College’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Featured speakers this year include Shelley Wynter, Kevin Corke, Charlie Culberson, CJ Stewart, and Pascale Charlot.
Georgia drivers are continuing to feel the impact of higher fuel prices, as the statewide average for regular gasoline holds at $3.85 per gallon.
Northwest Georgia will see a stretch of warm, quiet weather to start the week, but conditions are expected to change by midweek as a storm system moves into the region.
Authorities say one person is dead following a house fire early Sunday morning on Old Lindale Road in Floyd County.
Emergency crews responded to the fire during the overnight hours, where reports indicated flames coming from a residence and a possible person trapped inside.
According to reports, one individual was found deceased at the scene, while another person was transported for medical treatment.
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Officials have not released the identity of the victim.
