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Hey Rome, hope your week’s off to a good start! Habitat for Humanity home groundbreaking, Gene Watson, The Great Pages Circus, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Project milestones and next steps: GDOT has finished five major projects across Northwest Georgia, including SR 293 over Dykes Creek and Rehoboth Road in Floyd County, but drivers should still expect slowdowns in work zones — get all the details.
Investments span safety and services: Floyd County commissioners elected Rhonda Wallace chair and Scotty Hancock vice chair for 2026 at their first meeting, with a budget keeping property taxes steady and funding key local projects — see what’s funded and planned.
A decorated tenure ends: Rome High football coach John Reid has retired after 11 seasons, including 2016 and 2017 state titles. The longtime Georgia coach won 190 games and will stay as athletic director — read the full story.
New chapter in community building: Habitat for Humanity Coosa Valley broke ground on its 62nd home in South Rome on January 10. Applications for homeownership are open through February 27 for families seeking affordable housing — get all the details.
Gold and silver are (still) on fire: Gold’s strong run continues, and silver is outperforming nearly every major asset class in the last year. With demand rising and supply tight, precious metals offer the right combination of market hedge and growth. Augusta Precious Metals is a great way to invest in gold because you can just roll over part of your retirement account into their gold and silver IRAs. Curious to learn more about it? Grab their free guide here.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Old soul and youthful energy: A recent roundup spotlights ten historic Georgia day trips, with Rome getting love for its downtown charm, riverfront strolls, and the clocktower. Other picks include Athens, Madison, Dahlonega, and Savannah. Many attractions are free or low cost, perfect for easy weekend exploring. Read the full story.
Upscale escapes worth the splurge: The article highlights Georgia luxury stays that live up to their price, including a Buckhead hotel with 507 rooms and a rooftop pool. It also features an Adairsville resort on 3,000 acres near 19th-century ruins with three restaurants and a full service spa, a short drive from Rome. Explore the full luxury list.
Comfort carb alert: When the midweek craving hits, the creamy mac & cheese at Harvest Moon Cafe brings silky, baked-in nostalgia to any plate. Pair it with the meat-and-three lineup, or hoard it solo. No judgment… just forkfuls.
Closet feeling stale? Whistle Britches Boutique in downtown Rome keeps fresh arrivals coming, from easygoing basics to standout dresses, shoes, and gifty extras, all curated to fit your real life, not just your hanger. Think of it as a friendly push toward an everyday wardrobe with a little extra pep.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
📖 Storytime & Craft @ Cave Spring Library | Tuesday (2/3) at 4:00 PM – Bring the kids to Cave Spring Library for storytime and a hands-on craft, perfect for little readers 11 and under. You get quality time, they get glitter that stays at the library, and yes, you stick around, sip coffee, and enjoy the calm.
🏈 Football Playoffs – Game Day Specials @ Ain’t Life Grand Bar & Grill | Wednesday (2/4) at 11:00 AM – Playoffs are hitting Ain’t Life Grand with game day specials, cold drinks, and the kind of atmosphere where strangers become loud uncles by halftime. Load up on wings by the herd, cheese sticks, pork rinds with cheese dip, and yes, carryout counts as hosting.
🎬 Movie Matinee @ Cave Spring Library | Wednesday (2/4) at 2:00 PM – Whether you’re dodging chores or chasing nostalgia, Cave Spring Library’s monthly Movie Matinee lets you sit in the dark with your family and call it quality time. The title changes each month, bring the crew, and call 706-777-3346 for this month’s pick.
This weekend
☕ Gray Pride (55+) Coffee Time @ Lumina Coffee Co. | Saturday (2/7) at 9:00 AM – Think hot coffee, easy conversation, and a friendly rack or two with the 55-plus LGBTQ+ crew. Come swap stories, meet new friends, and sink a few, all without needing earplugs, glow sticks, or small talk that goes nowhere. Low key, high quality.
🍾 Rome Bottle and Advertising Show @ VFW on HWY 27 | Saturday (2/7) at 9:00 AM – Part treasure hunt, part trip down memory lane, this show packs tables of vintage bottles, classic advertising, and quirky local ephemera. Haggle a little, swap stories, and snag something for the bar cart, the man cave, or that shelf you keep dusting.
🧵 Intro to Foundation Paper Piecing @ Stacy’s Styles and Stitches | Saturday (2/7) at 10:00 AM – Curious about foundation paper piecing, but your patience for YouTube tutorials is at capacity? This beginner class teaches a no-stress heart design, you’ll sew two blocks, and $50 includes patterns and fabric. Second session just added, so bring your machine, thread, and a rotary cutter.
🥕 Cave Spring Community Market @ Cave Spring Community Market | Saturday (2/7) at 1:00 PM – If your ideal Saturday involves coffee, fresh peaches, and bumping into three people you know, hit the Cave Spring Community Market. It pops up every Saturday, 8 am to noon, with local produce, baked goods, and friendly gossip. Follow on Facebook for vendor updates.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Rome report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 59°F – Low: 42°F – Precip: 48%
A chance of rain showers after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. South wind 0 to 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers. Cloudy, with a low around 42. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
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Tomorrow – High: 51°F – Low: 25°F – Precip: 56%
Rain showers likely before 7am. Cloudy, with a high near 51. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
This house is wild
Privately set on 4.8 wooded acres up Mount Alto, this renovated 5-bed, 3.5-bath home is one minute from Shorter Avenue. A great room with fireplace connects to a kitchen with island, 48-inch range, and walk-in pantry. A vaulted family room adds gathering space. The primary suite opens to the rear porch. Loft, guest suite, covered porches, and Nature Conservancy border.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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