Stevi B's plans for Rome on ice. Graves v. Hawkins in runoff; Jasperse wins House District 12 race

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Stevi B's Pizza Buffet entry into Rome market delayed:

-Plans to open a Stevi B's in the Greater Rome market are on hold. "We still have hopes for coming to Rome; Rome definitely is on our radar," says Melissa McFarlin, director of franchise sales and development. The Rome franchise rights were held by the franchisee who also operated the Cartersville store off Ga. 20 near Wal-Mart and Lowe's. He's since sold out to another Stevi B's franchisee and the Rome rights are available, McFarlin says. The company is looking for new options here, she adds. The update comes as Stevi B's announces plans for three more stores in Georgia: Smyrna, Kathleen and Stockbridge. Click Business Chronicle.

-About the pizza boom in Greater Rome: In recent months, we've seen Johnny's New York Style Pizza open at 233 Broad St. All-Star Pizza has opened off Redmond Circle; Pizza Hut has closed the East Rome site and opened a new Pizza Hut/WingStreet on Martha Berry; and Schroeder's New Deli has added a new line of pizzas as well.

Call it the Deja Vu congressional race--or the Groundhog Day election.

-With Ranger Republican Tom Graves and Hall County's Lee Hawkins heading for a June 8 runoff to decide who house the Ninth Congressional District seat, they know they'll be doing it yet again--and again. Here's how it works:

-Graves, Hawkins and six other candidates were in the May 11 special election to fill the seat Nathan Deal left to run for governor.

-Graves got the most votes Tuesday night followed by Hawkins but neither received the 50 percent plus 1 majority needed.

-They meet again June 8 with voters in 15 counties again called to the precincts.

-July 20 is primary day for the regularly scheduled District 9 election. Graves, Hawkins and five other challengers from May 11 meet in the GOP primary.

-A runoff again is likely, most likely with Graves and Hawkins yet again. That date Aug. 10.

-That's four elections in four months.

-There is no Democratic opposition in the Nov. 3 general election. Independents can still qualify, however.

-For a county-by-county look at how Tuesday's vote went, click District 9.

A do-over in House District 12 special election, too.

-Rick Jasperse easily beat Truett Moss II and Jerry Nally to win Tom Graves' old House seat Tuesday night. No runoff is needed. But in the July primary, Jasperse and Moss will face off again in the GOP primary with the winner taking on Nally, a Democrat, in the Nov. 3

-For a county-by-county look at how the vote went, click House 12.

VFW Post 4911 is planning a picnic beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday for all combat veterans and their families, especially veterans of recent conflicts. Hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks will be provided. Also planned:  kids face painting and a moon walk inflatable. A special invitation goes out to local Vietnam veterans. The post is on Cedartown Highway.

Wednesday's Buzz:

-Stout, Greater Rome Bank's president, takes part in D.C. policy summit> Business

-The Floyd County Commission and Manager's Office haved released the 2009 Annual Report. The theme is "Planting Seeds for the Future," and focuses on projects around the county in the early stages> Details

-May 30/The Northwest Georgia WINDS and the Three Rivers Singers will join forces to perform an 'American Salute' at 7 p.m. in the Rome City Auditorium.  Admission is free thanks to sponsorship by R.O.M.E. and the Montessori School of Rome.  Everyone is invited.

-PHS's Aaron Morgan wins Community Bankers' Hester Memorial Scholarship> Buzz

-A Pepperell High School student team was the winner of the Region in the Georgia Stock Market Game competition coordinated by the Georgia Council on Economic Education. Jonathon Shooks, Anna Baker, Sarah Ozment, and Stevanie Pruitt were members of the winning team> Floyd

- Dr. Jennifer M. Corry, associate professor of Spanish at Berry College, has been inducted into the Order of the Discoverers by Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. It is among the organization's top honors> BC

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: Partly sunny, high of 87, low of 63.

-Thursday: Mostly sunny, high of 92, low of 64.

-Extended forecast> Click  / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey 

-The way Tiger's been swinging the past few months, why does he need a new swing coach?

Rome Braves> Sports 

-Braves were off Tuesday; start four-game set in Savannah today.

-Mills Fitzner's latest game photos> Click

-Rome Braves' May 16 game changes to a 4 p.m. start.