Thursday updates

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Unemployment payments surge from $2.45 million to $5.6 million

	Feb. 09 checks	Feb. 08 checks	Percent increase	Feb. 09 payments	Feb. 08 payments	Percent increase
Bartow	7,115	3,095	129.9%	$1,759,546	$746,340	135.7%
Chattooga	1,046	465	124.9%	$248,802	$105,672	135.4%
Floyd	6,263	2,983	110%	$1,470,490	$673,843	118%
Gordon	4,897	2,512	95%	$1,247,645	$618,912	101.6%
Polk	3,856	1,372	188.3%	$930,116	$308,816	201%

Totals

23,177

10,427

122.8%

$5,656,599

$2,453,583

130.5%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

>Triple-digit increases: As more and more Northwest Georgians cross into the unemployment line, we're seeing a spike in the number of checks written and amount paid in unemployment insurance claims.

>Payments more than double: A February 2009 vs .February 2008 comparison, requested by Hometown Headlines, shows more than $5.6 million in unemployment compensation was paid in February compared to $2.45 million a year earlier--an increase of 130.5 percent.

>Per-county claims, payments and comparisons: The first three columns, in light gray, show the number of checks written for residents of each Northwest Georgia county. The figures to the right show the total value of those checks.

>Seven-digit counties: Three counties saw seven-digit payments with Bartow's share at $1,759,546 followed by Floyd at $1,470,490 and Gordon, $1,247,645.

>Around $243 per person: The average check paid in February was $242.76 compared to $235.31 a year earlier, about a 3.2 percent increase.

>For more on the state's jobless claims, click DOL

Appalachian Grill reopening set for Monday: One of the region's top destination dining spots is closed for remodeling. Visitors to Appalachian Grill at 14 E. Church St. in downtown Cartersville can see some of the refit through the windows in front of the restaurant near the Booth Western Art Museum. Diners are being directed to Jackie and Andrea Wallace's other restaurant, Hearth & Harvest, at 650 Henderson Drive (West End Commons) off Ga. 113 while the rehab is completed this week. Some of the Grill menu items are available at H&H this week. The plan is to reopen the downtown restaurant on Monday. For more on Hearth & Harvest, call 770-607-7772.

Politics

-Smith gigged by Creative Loafing's annual snarky review of Legislature: State Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome, chastised for stem cell speech from the well. A photo cutline dubs Smith "Mr. Histronic." Loafing

>Peach Pundit wonders if Smith will enter attorney general's race: If this does happen, expect a casting call of local Senate hopefuls> Peach

Weather

-A few warnings went up overnight, especially in Polk and Bartow counties, as a storm moved through. The forecast calls for a potential of strong storms this afternoon as well> WeatherCenter

>We'll have weather updates all day today.

Thursday's Buzz:

-'Chamber Connect' launched by Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce: A new social networking service for members of the chamber is now available (check us out at Hometown). Click

-Academic affairs team named at Georgia Northwestern Technical: Dr. Craig McDaniel makes latest series of appointments as merger draws closer > CH

-St. Jude's radiothon under way on South 107, other stations> St. Jude

-United Way names Michael T. Page chairman>Buzz

-Stargazer's newsletter now posted: Full moon is April 9> Click Stargazers

-Latest library newsletter now posted> Link

-Dr. Cline Jackson joins Floyd ER; more updates> Health

Historic Courthouse to close Friday afternoon: (Media release) Floyd County Historic Courthouse will close Friday at 1:30 p.m. for Georgia Power to begin rerouting power lines from the transformer into the building as part of the work on the adjacent parking lot. The Tag Office, Property Tax Office, Mobile Home Office and Tax Assessor's offices will be closed that afternoon, but will resume normal hours beginning Monday at 8 a.m.  As a convenience to customers wanting to renew their tags, a drop box is in front of the Judicial Building courthouse. Customers can drop off the renewals and not receive a late penalty. Work began on the parking lot in February as part of the 2006 SPLOST package that will improve the parking.

WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court

-Latest radar: Click Georgia view or Southeastern USA.

-Thursday: 60% chance of storms after 2 p.m. High near 71. 
-Thursday night: 80% chance of showers, low of 55. Gusts to 25 mph.

-Friday: Decreasing clouds, high of 64.

-Friday night: Clearing, low of 42.

-Weekend: Highs of 75, lows near 50; more rain Sunday.
-For more, click WeatherCenter

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota

-Why Calipari is a perfect fit at Kentucky and what it means to other SEC schools> Click Arey

Rome Braves preseason updates

-Updated/Top of the seventh: Rome Braves ready for 2009 season

-Former Braves catcher Javy Lopez to throw first pitch Opening Night.
-Single ticket sales under way at State Mutual Stadium

Downtown Headlines

-What's ahead in downtown Rome. Plus: Bryan Mullins of mullinsmania.com looks at weekend entertainment. Click Downtown