Around Town: Moving Mountains (From Downtown to West Rome). A Jandy's Return?

Six years ago, there was a cool idea — open a hand-scooped ice cream shop in the red-hot 200 block of Broad Street in downtown Rome.

Mountains Ice Cream would grow to be a fan favorite even as competition increased for the sweet tooth customers. But in February, the owners announced the store was closing, citing personal reasons.

By mid-March, the shop’s Facebook page began promoting “coming soon” as in West Rome near Ollie’s with no firm opening date as yet.

Also among the updates was a big plus for busy customers: A drive-through window. In addition to more parking, it promised 38 flavors and some “new ways to enjoy your ice cream.”

So what’s the scoop? Mountains will now be operated by Ryan Autry, who’s the son of the previous owners, and his fiancé, Mia. They’re doing an excellent job updating the new location via the Facebook page so please give it a look.

Plus here’s hoping Michigan Pot Hole remains among those 38 flavors.

Jandy’s also on the comeback trail? That’s the more-than-a-hint on the frozen yogurt chain’s Facebook page that has drawn wide response so far. One hint: The hashtag accompanying the post is #jandysonthego. The original company used to have a mobile unit so maybe...

Jandy’s at one time dominated the frozen yogurt craze with shops in Rome, Calhoun and Cartersville. But the final store, off Turner McCall in Rome, closed as the pandemic was spreading in spring 2020.

Honeycream’s season debut: The gelato shop on East Third Avenue in downtown Rome returns with summer hours of 12:30 until 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Look for extended hours over college graduation weekend, May 2-5.

More vital vittles

El Rancho a step closer: El Rancho From Scratch Mexican Food in Armuchee Village is close to opening with a next big step being its alcohol license, scheduled to get before Floyd County commissioners on April 23. It brings another dining experience to the Martha Berry Highway area, joining Roma Mia and Sam’s Burger-Deli.

Fazoli’s finale getting close? Monday evening, Rome’s Alcohol Control Commission was considering an extension of the beer, wine and liquor package sales license for what will be Mega Beverage Rome at 42 Hicks Drive. It is scheduled to take the spot of Fazoli’s at East Bend and expand the building. The license was approved on Sept. 18.

Popcorn & Politics

That’s debatable: With five weeks to go to the primary, and advance voting under two weeks away, it appears no true debates will be held for the few contested races on the ballots.

Three local races on the Republican side and just the congressional seat on the Democratic ticket have challengers on May 21.

Two races on the GOP ballot will decide the eventual winner because there are no challengers in November.

The Democrats running to oppose Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene did address those attending the party’s monthly meeting earlier this month, says party chair Vincent Mendes. The 14th District won’t be featured in Georgia Public Broadcasting’s primary debate series.

Floyd Republicans are rumored to be doing the same thing at their next meeting, set for April 25.

Sample ballots: They’re now available on the “My Voter Page” from the secretary of state’s office. There also are some nonpartisan contested state court races down ballot as well as well as a collection of “Republican Party Questions” and “Democratic Party Questions.” Both selections have no actual impact other than appeasing the faithful and about as much substance as “does the sun rise each day?”

“Fake” news: Burt Jones has done anything but keep a low profile since being elected Georgia’s lieutenant governor in 2022. Recently, Jones’ office flooded the media with releases on any piece of legislation before the General Assembly.

But always ticking in the background was Jones’ other bit of notoriety — his service as one of the Republican “fake” electors in 2020 who wanted to put forth Donald Trump’s name as winning the majority of Georgia votes.

Those ticks grew louder last week when former district attorney Pete Skandalakis was announced as the person to lead an investigation into Jones’ “alleged involvement in attempts to overturn President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory in Georgia,” as reported by the Capitol Beat News Service.

Jones frequently is mentioned as a 2026 gubernatorial candidate as Brian Kemp is barred from seeking a third term.

Peaks & Valleys

The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to Lynn Hunnicutt on another well-deserved honor: The former Pepperell and Model head football coach will receive the J. Reid Parker Post Graduate Achievement Award. It honors former Georgia Bulldog football players who “earned their degree and distinguished themselves in their chosen profession.” Hunnicutt has done that and much more as one of the most identifiable names in high school football in our area. Well deserved.

Valley to Rome’s rush to amend public assembly rules: The latest revisions have been sent back to committee after some detailed questions from a handful of city commissioners. During this rewrite, the committee should look further into what other Georgia communities do as well as weigh potential litigious impact. There must be a balance between hearing the voices of some concerned citizens and community safety.