The Braves clubbed four home runs in that win. Drake Baldwin got the team on the board with a solo shot in the first inning. Michael Harris II had a two-run bomb in the second and a solo homer in the third. Matt Olson contributed a three-run homer during the top of the fourth.

Daylen Lile had a three-run homer for the Nationals in the bottom of the first. Joey Wiemer and James Wood each had solo home runs in the sixth.

Dylan Lee was credited with the win in relief for Atlanta. Robert Suarez got the save. Zack Littell was charged with the loss for DC.

The NL East-leading Braves are now 17-8 on the 2026 regular season. They will wrap up their current seven-game road trip with the series finale versus the Nationals today at 1:05 pm in DC. Listen to play-by-play coverage from the Atlanta Braves Radio Network on WLAQ 1410 AM or 96.9 FM; airtime is 11:50 am.

The Emperors’ series at Greensboro will continue through Sunday. They will be back on their home field at AdventHealth Stadium in Rome next week as hosts to the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Purchase tickets to upcoming games and get more information at www.goemperors.com.

After one of the most successful seasons yet, the Rome Floyd Parks & Recreation gymnastics team, the Rome Aerials, continued its momentum with an outstanding showing at the USA Gymnastics Xcel State Championship. All gymnasts qualified to compete at the state meet, and six athletes earned the honor of representing Georgia at the upcoming USAG Region 8 Xcel Championships, which will take place May 1-3. At regionals, they will compete against some of the top gymnasts from eight southeastern states.

Kicking off the State Championship for the Rome Aerials was fifth grader Lilly Bergin of Berry College Elementary and Middle School. Competing in Xcel Gold, Bergin delivered an outstanding performance at the state championship, earning first place all-around, as well as first place on bars and floor.

Seventh grader Rebekah Slocum of Berry College Elementary and Middle School also had a memorable state meet in Xcel Platinum. Slocum earned her all-time high floor score of 9.550 on floor and recorded her highest all-around score to date with a 36.250.

Fellow Xcel Platinum gymnast Rylee Turner who is a seventh grader at Model Middle School had an impressive showing as well, placing second on both vault and floor while finishing fourth overall in the all-around competition.

In the Xcel Diamond division, Rome High School ninth grader Emma Slocum demonstrated determination and resilience. Despite twisting her ankle during warmups, Slocum still managed to place in the top five in four events.

Taylin Lytle, also a ninth grader at Rome High School, turned in an exceptional performance in Xcel Diamond, earning first place on beam, second place on bars, and finishing third overall.

One of the top performances of the season came from Rome High School 11^th grader Taylen Tant in Xcel Diamond. After missing last season completely following surgery for a torn labrum in her hip, Tant returned stronger than ever this year. She posted a personal-record all-around score of 38.000 at the state championship while capturing first place on bars, beam, and in the all-around competition. Tant is also the reigning 2024 Region 8 Xcel Diamond champion. Her remarkable comeback season earned her a spot as one of only eight gymnasts selected to be part of the Georgia State Team at the upcoming Region 8 Championships.

The Rome Aerials’ success at both the state and regional levels reflect the dedication, hard work, and perseverance of the athletes and coaches throughout the season. Their accomplishments continue to highlight the strength of gymnastics in the Rome community and provide a source of pride for Rome Aerials Gymnastics and Rome Floyd Parks & Recreation.

Pictured: Emma Slocum, Taylin Lytle, and Taylen Tant

The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the one-county Rome Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded month over month growth of its labor force and an unemployment rate of 3.7%, up one-tenth over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.4%.

“Georgia’s latest labor market data shows continued growth in both the labor force and employment as more Georgians are working and stepping into opportunity across the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “That matters because when more people are working, businesses gain access to talent, families gain stability, and Georgia is better positioned to compete, win and adapt in today’s global economy.”

The labor force in Rome rose by 273 over the month and decreased by 121 from February 2025, reaching 48,094.

Rome finished the month with 46,332 employed residents, up 240 over the month and down by 232 from February 2025.

Rome ended February with 46,600 jobs, up 100 over the month and down 600 from the same time last year.

In February, initial unemployment claims in Rome decreased by 366 from the previous month and decreased by 43 from the same month a year ago, totaling 257.

Northwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate remained unchanged posting at 3.5% over-the-month. The rate was 3.4% one year ago.
• The labor force was up 3,205 over-the-month and up 3,715 over-the-year, to 457,800.
• The number of employed was up 2,906 over-the-month and up 2,787 over-the-year, to 441,612.
• Initial claims were down 4,265 over-the-month and down 377 over-the-year, to 1,839.

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employeremail. 

For more information on unemployment benefits, claimants should call 877.709.8185 or visit their MyUI Claimant Portal. GDOL’s Career Centers also provide in-person unemployment insurance benefit services for customers statewide.

For more information on jobs and current labor force data, visit Georgia LaborMarket Explorer to view a comprehensive report. 

Pre-enrollment continues for the 2026-2027 school year. Grades K-5 will be offered in year one, with other grades to be added in subsequent school years. Classes will be conducted on the former Georgia School for the Deaf campus in Cave Spring. Dr. Dawn Williams, Superintendent/Principal, states that the campus is secure and spacious.

The public charter school is open tuition-free to students in Rome City, Floyd County, and Polk County. Williams says that many pre-enrolled students hail from Cave Spring.

Events will be held during the Summer to keep parents and students engaged and ready for the new year at the new school, according to Williams.

For more information about the Northwest Georgia Charter Academy, visit www.nwgacharteracademy.org.

The Rome Police Department has secured a Felony Murder warrant for Chancelor Lamar Crawford, age 25, for his involvement in the death of Chancellore Jabez Donaldson, age 22, following a shooting that occurred during the early morning hours of April 19, 2026, at a North Broad Street location in Rome.

Our investigators are actively working to locate Chancelor Lamar Crawford and are asking for the public’s immediate assistance in determining his whereabouts.

Law enforcement believes the suspect could be in Northwest Georgia or the Metro Atlanta area. Anyone who has seen Chancelor Lamar Crawford, knows where he may be staying, or has information about his location is urged to contact authorities immediately.

Because he is wanted in connection with a homicide investigation, he should be considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach or attempt to confront him.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Rome Police Department at 706-238-5111, call 9-1-1, or submit an anonymous tip to 706-236-5000.

The Rome Police Department has also obtained warrants for three individuals believed to be involved in the shooting that occurred near Banty Jones Park on April 8, 2026, which left a 6-year-old boy injured.

The following suspects have been charged:

• Isaiah Imari Curtis North, age 18

• Tydarius Arthur McClure, age 17, (in custody)

• A third suspect is a juvenile, whose identity will not be released in accordance with state law

Commencement Weekend speakers will include Head of School Brent Bell at Baccalaureate and attorney Chris Twyman, president of the State Bar of Georgia, at Commencement. Both have children in the Class of 2026. 

Selected to speak by the senior class, Bell was named Darlington’s 11th head of school in 2014. With more than two decades of experience in education, he holds a B.A. in History from the University of Richmond and an M.S. in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has worked closely with the Class of 2026 as the boys’ middle school basketball coach, and during the inaugural year of the Darlington Leadership Institute when they were in eighth grade. He also meets annually with the members of each senior class, and enjoys sharing their wisdom with the Board of Trustees and Upper School students and faculty. Prior to his work at Darlington, Bell was head of Upper School at Randolph School in Huntsville, Ala. He also served previously as assistant headmaster and dean of academic affairs at Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest, Va., where he held the E. Craig Wall Family Mastership. He and his wife, Andrea, have three children, Charlie, Jack (’24) and Brent (’26).

Twyman is the managing partner with the law firm of Cox Byington Twyman LLP, in Rome, practicing in the areas of commercial and general civil litigation, family law, criminal defense, and education law. He received his B.A. from Georgetown University, where he majored in government and minored in history, and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. While in law school, he served as executive chair on the University of Georgia Moot Court Board and argued at the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition in Boston, Mass. He was also named to the Order of the Barristers and is a Master in the Clark-Carley Inn of Court with the University of Georgia School of Law.

Admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1999, Twyman practices in all Georgia trial courts; the Georgia Court of Appeals; and the Supreme Court of Georgia, as well as federal courts, including the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. He represents clients throughout the State of Georgia and in Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In 2022, he was elected as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in the United States. Since 2021, he has been recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyer by Atlanta Magazine. Twyman currently serves as the 63rd President of the State Bar of Georgia. He and his wife, Tashia, are the parents of Christa (’23) and Myles (’26).

Baccalaureate will take place Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. in Morris Chapel. Commencement will be held Saturday, May 16, at 9:30 a.m. on the Chapel Lawn. In the event of rain, it will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Huffman Athletic Center. Darlington will stream both events on YouTube.

The Rome Board of Education will meet on Friday, April 24, 2026 from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. (if required) for its spring budget retreat. The meeting will be held at Rome City Schools Board Room, 508 East Second Street, Rome, Georgia 30161.

The offensive highlights for the Braves included a solo home run from Drake Baldwin in the top of the third inning. Eli White hit a solo shot in the fifth, his first homer of the year.

James Wood had a home run for the Nats to begin the bottom of the second. Curtis Mead had a three-run homer in the eighth. Luis Garcia Jr. had a total of three RBIs.

Reynaldo Lopez took the loss for Atlanta after giving up four runs and five hits, walking three, and striking out one through just over one inning. Foster Griffin got the win for DC.

The Braves remain atop the NL East with a record of 16-8 on the ’26 regular season. They will take on the Nationals in DC again this evening at 6:45 pm. Listen to play-by-play coverage from the Atlanta Braves Radio Network on WLAQ 1410 AM/96.9 FM; airtime is 5:30 pm.

The Emperors’ series at Greensboro will continue through Sunday. They will be back on their home field at AdventHealth Stadium in Rome next week as hosts to the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Purchase tickets to upcoming games and get more information at www.goemperors.com.