February first-time jobless claims soar above '08, down from Jan.
| County | February filings | January filings | Feb. '08 filings | February vs January | Feb. '09 vs Feb. '08 |
| Bartow | 1,075 | 2,204 | 501 | -53.1% | +114.9% |
| Chattooga | 129 | 171 | 87 | -24.6% | +48.3% |
| Floyd | 1,354 | 3,035 | 754 | -55.4% | +79.6% |
| Gordon | 1,354 | 2,064 | 767 | -34.4% | +76.5% |
| Polk | 1,188 | 1,599 | 338 | -25.7% | +251.5% |
| Georgia | 86,519 | 120,139 | 40,963 | -28% | +112% |
The first-time jobless report for February is one of those half-full, half-empty arguments. The half-full crowd points to the number of filers dropping by 25 to 55 percent from January's reports. The half-empty side points to 48 to 251 percent year-over-year increases in compensation claims when comparing the past two Februaries. The full impact of what it means won't be known until the February unemployment numbers come later this month or in early April. Today's report:
-Gordon tied Floyd for the most claims last month, 1,354 each. Both posted year-over-year increases in the upper 70 percent range.
-Polk was the hardest hit when comparing year over year, with a 251.5 percent jump (338 applicants to 1,188 last month).
-Bartow and Floyd saw month-over-month claims drop by more than 50 percent.
-For more on the state report, please click Georgia
Statewide layoffs at 5,605 through February
The state Labor Department's jobs warning site notes 5,605 positions have been lost in Georgia between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28. These represent only jobs from larger employers required to file notice of layoffs or closings. The Forbes layoff ticker, which tracks reductions from America's 500 largest public companies, showed 289,339 during the first two months of the year (Forbes). So how do the Georgia numbers stack up with annual reports from the past 10 years?
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
| 19,163 | 12,516 | 15,173 | 17,742 | 15,852 | 19,128 | 20,706 | 38,323 | 106,555 | 18,407 |
-About 2000's report: There were huge layoffs from some employers that year, including 2,000 from Eastern Airlines and more than 2,000 from Zayre.
-About 2001's report: Many of the reports were filed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Delta alone laid off more than 3,500 people.
-Bartow Together: Re-Employment Resources Expo March 17> Bartow
Synovus stock dividend: penny a share: Synovus, the parent company of Citizens First Bank, has reduced the quarterly dividend payable on the company's common stock from six cents to a penny a share, effective for the dividend payable April 1 to shareholders of record on March 19. The move lets the company retain an estimated additional $66 million in retained earnings per year> Synovus
-Track today's Dow, other markets> Google Finance
Sen. Preston Smith hails passage of amended budget> Senate
Wednesday's Buzz
-New look for visitors site with more to come:
The online home of the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau is getting a new look. A work-in-progress already is up on the home page (click) and feedback/ideas are being sought on further tweaks before the site officially goes live. E-mail jcollins@romega.us or click the site's "feedback" button (click). The timing of the update is perfect with River Days, the handcycling competition and First Friday concert season on the way.
-Young professionals to hear from non-profits: The Young Professionals of Rome meet again Wednesday, March 25, at the Greater Rome chamber's boardroom. The lunch is from Uncle John's Barbecue. The topic is a presentation by local non-profit organizations in our area. $5 per person. Hours: 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more, contact Lydia Fields at lfields@romega.com; 706-291-7663
-Model, Shorter grad's design a finalist for Peachtree T-shirt this year
Hannah Lucas, a 2003 honor graduate of Model High School, is a finalist to 
provide the artwork for the 2009 Peachtree Road Race T-shirt. Lucas, a graduate student art major currently enrolled at the University of West Georgia, is one of five finalists to provide the artwork for the traditional shirt for the annual race held in Atlanta. The artwork for the five finalists will be printed in the March 15 edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the public will be allowed to vote for their favorite on the ajc.com web site. The winning design will be printed on the T-shirt presented to runners. The four finalists each receive a $100 award. The winner: $1,000. The winner will not be revealed until race day. Lucas is a 2007 graduate of Shorter College.
Undefeated Model girls move to Final Four in Macon
this week:
Model takes on Henry County at the Macon Centreplex at 4 p.m. Thursday with the winner meeting the victor of the Laney-Buford showdown. The AA final is set for 3 p.m. Saturday. Model defeated Greater Atlanta Christian at The Forum 62-52> Brackets
-Game coverage on The Ridge 95.7 FM and the Web: Matt Davis and Randy Davis will have coverage of both games> The Ridge
-Track the Blue Devils' perfect regular season> Georgia Prep Country
-Closer look at the Henry County Warhawks> Georgia Prep Country
Dining & Drink
-St. Patrick's Day dining roundup: We're seeking menu updates from area restaurants planning to serve traditional Irish food on Tuesday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day. Please send a few lines (menu, hours, cost) by clicking e-mail.
-Easter Bunny due March 21: Look for the Easter Bunny and related activities at Mount Berry Square starting Saturday, March 21, at 11 a.m.> Details
WeatherCenter, brought to you by Roman Court
-Wednesday: 20% chance of showers, high of 71, gusts to 20 mph.
-Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, low of 42. Gusts to 20 mph.
-Thursday: 30% rain chance, high of 58, gusts of 20 mph.
-For more, click Weather Center
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota
-Talk about 'Lame': Vols' Kiffin berates player for signing with Gamecocks. Click Arey
Rome Braves' 2-for-1 Tuesday tickets includes Opening Night> Braves
Downtown Headlines
-Monthly DDA board meeting set for Thursday; home and garden show this Saturday-Sunday. Click Downtown
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