In less than two weeks, Georgia voters will go to the polls (along with voters in other states) for Super Tuesday.  Rome TEA Party member Mike Morton said in an interview on WLAQ AM 1410′s Good Morning Rome on Tuesday that he expects a dead heat in the race for the Republican nomination for president when Super Tuesday arrives.

Yesterday was, of course, Mardi Gras.  Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the season of Lent.  The Lenten season leads up to Easter, which falls on April 8^th this year.

Pepperell High School’s FFA Parliamentary Procedure team has advanced to the FFA state finals.  According to a Floyd County Schools media release, the PHS team competed earlier this week in the area contest held at Woodland High School, where the team finished second to Murray County.
Pepperell team chairperson Hannah Hall says, “Parliamentary procedure is one of the hardest and most desired FFA events to win.  It takes a great deal of practice, hard work, and dedication to rise to the top.”

A Rome teenager was stabbed to death late Monday night.  Tymurius Elkins, age 16, was pronounced dead just after midnight.  Ricky Ricardo Cruz, age 20, and Jonathon Tyler Carson, age 17, have been charged in the crime.  Cruz has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and fighting in a public place following accusations that he stabbed Elkins in an altercation in the parking lot of a Shorter Avenue business.  Carson has been charged with involuntary manslaugher (for being party to the crime) and fighting in a public place.  Cruz reportedly was perceived to have flashed an obscene gesture and was flagged down by Elkins, Carson and another companion, 17 year old Will West. That turned into an altercation that ultimately led to the stabbing death of Elkins.  West was also stabbed and is in recovery at Floyd Medical Center.  An investigation into the incident continues.

The 4^th annual Heart of the Community Walk is set for this Saturday, February 25^th in downtown Rome.  Pre-walk festivities will be held at 9:30 am at Citizens First Bank, with the walk set to begin at 10 am.

Attention, local bands!! The deadline for entries into the 3^rd annual 95.7 FM The Ridge/Rome News-Tribune Battle of the Bands has been extended.  Local bands now have until Friday, March 2^nd to enter the contest by submitting an mp3 of their best song, a short bio and contact information to mattd@theridge957.com.