First-time unemployment claims down vs. July, soar vs. Aug. 2007
| August 2008 | July 2008 | August 2007 | Year over year | |
| Bartow | 742 | 745 | 413 | +79.7% |
| Chattooga | 87 | 105 | 49 | +77.6% |
| Floyd | 600 | 931 | 513 | +17% |
| Gordon | 669 | 806 | 420 | +66.4 |
| Polk | 306 | 391 | 323 | -5.3% |
| Georgia | 59,090 | 59,165 | 34,340 | +72.4% |
Source: Georgia Department of Labor
It was a split decision for a key work force indicator last month. The number of first-time applicants for unemployment insurance dropped in Northwest Georgia and statewide. In fact, Rome/Floyd County's report was down by more than a third. But four of five local counties and the state reported increases when comparing August's numbers to the same month last year.
-Polk saw a 5.3 percent decline while Floyd's year-over-year rate was up by 17 percent. Gordon's application rate jumped by two thirds while Chattooga and Bartow counties saw increases in the upper 70s. Statewide, 34,340 sought aid in August 2007 vs. 59,090 last month.
- "The August increase is the largest over-the year increase in initial claims since October of 2001 when we began experiencing significant layoffs following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks," said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.
>Synovus to cut 650 jobs over next two years in five states: Synovus, the parent company of Rome's Citizens First Bank and Calhoun's Georgia Bank & Trust, plans to " eliminate approximately 650 positions across the five-state footprint over the next 24 months." That's a 9 percent cut> Release
Floyd patient being checked again for possible West Nile Virus: More blood is being drawn from a 70-year-old Floyd County resident after an initial test indicated the patient could have West Nile Virus. Additional blood work has been ordered and the results won't be known for several days. For now, it is not being listed as a definite case of the mosquito-borne disease. One case has been reported in Georgia so far this season (AJC). Local health officials say September is the peak month for West Nile, adding that it usually is present in the state and Southeast. The risk drops considerably after the first freeze of the year. Health experts say to use standard precautions when dealing with mosquitoes: empty all outdoor containers holding standing water; wear long-sleeved shirts; and wear insect repellant. For more on West Nile and preventative steps, click CDC
Thursday/'A Day of Remembrance' set: The tribute is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Rome/Floyd County Law Enforcement Center on Fifth Avenue. Scheduled speaker: State Rep. Katie Dempsey. Sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers. Rain site: The Forum.
>Events also scheduled in Polk, Bartow counties.
Lance is back but is the Tour de Georgia? An article appearing on Cycling News questions whether the race will be back for a seventh spin next April. The writers raise the continuing questions about sponsorships. (Article) Note that the piece was written before news of Lance Armstrong's return to professional cycling was leaked and his intentions to race in the 2009 Tour de Georgia--and Tour de France. We're checking tour czar Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle's office for updates.
Shorter professor leads charge for U.S. women's basketball in Beijing Paralympics: Dr. Jennifer Ruddell scores six of the team's first 10 points as the U.S. beats Australia to go 2-0 in tournament> Story
SPLOST endorsed by Realtors' board of directors: The education SPLOST now before Floyd County voters has been endorsed by the board of directors of the Greater Rome Board of Realtors.
>Advance voting for education SPLOST continues today, Friday> Vote
Gingrey: Nearly $500,000 for Inner Harbour for Children, Families> Polk
>Drnek joins Shorter's IT department> Campus Headlines
>South Rome focus of next neighborhood focus, Sept. 22-26> Buzz
WeatherCenter
>High near 87 with a 40 percent chance of rain.
>More rain ahead this week. Your complete forecast: WeatherCenter
>Hurricane Ike targets Texas> Tropics
Sports
>Norman's Arey's Sports, brought to you by Riverside Toyota: Six potential impact games set for this weekend in addition to USC-Ohio State>Arey
>The Football Report, brought to you by Printworks: Shorter boosters planning tailgating in LaGrange, Pikeville, Ky. Plus: John McClellan's high school picks> The Football Report
>South Atlantic League playoffs: Augusta leads 2-0> Sports
Downtown
>What's ahead this weekend in, around downtown Rome courtesy of Bryan Mullins of Mullinsmania.com. Also: Rome High's first home game is Friday night so look for the pregame football crowd> Downtown Headlines
Advance voting continues for education SPLOST: Advance voting is set for Monday through Friday at two locations as Rome, Cave Spring and Floyd County voters decide the fate of the proposed education special purpose local option sales tax. Hours are 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. at both sites:
>Floyd County Administrative Building, 12 E. Fourth Ave., Second Floor, commissioner's caucus Room
>Rome Civic Center, 400 Civic Center Drive
>The election itself is set for Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
>How the SPLOST question appears on Rome precinct ballots> Rome
>How the SPLOST question appears on Floyd precinct ballots> County
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