Thursday's headlines

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FINALLY: First-time unemployment insurance claims down

	Nov. 2009	Oct. 2009	Nov. 2008	12-month %
Bartow	996	1,064	1,178	-15.4%
Chattooga	93	115	121	-23.1%
Floyd	1,350	1,044	1,405	-3.9%
Gordon	770	712	1,255	-38.6%
Polk	774	561	794	-2.5%
Georgia	72,298	70,597	74,480	-2.9%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

There's finally some good news on the employment front: First-time jobless claims in five area counties and statewide dropped last month when compared to November 2008 stats. All but Floyd saw decreases when compared to October reports, too.

-The year-over-year decreases were significant, especially in Gordon County where claims dipped from 1,255 in November 2008 to 770 last month, Georgia Department of Labor reports show. Also:

-Statewide, 72,298 laid-off workers filed initial claims for state unemployment insurance benefits in November, a decrease of 2,182 from November 2008.

-Most of the initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and administrative and support services.
-What it means : "Georgia's job market is mired in a prolonged downturn," says State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond ."This is an improvement of less than three percent in the number of layoffs from the same months last year, when we were in the midst of a severe economic meltdown. America's big financial institutions and Wall Street appear to have stabilized; unfortunately, Georgia's job market is showing little improvement."   
-The average length of time jobless Georgia workers drew unemployment benefits increased from 11.8 weeks in November 2008 to 14.8 weeks in November 2009.

'Is recovery on the horizon? The answer is yes (but) I'm not telling you where the horizon is.' So says Georgia Economist Donald Ratajczak> Gwinnett

Politics

-Smith predicts state revenue free fall will 'flatten' in January:

Revenue collections for the month of November were $1,188,879,000 compared to $1,419,543,000 for November 2008, a decrease of $230,664,000 or 16.2 percent. The percentage decrease year-to-date: 15.4 percent, says Gov. Sonny Perdue. Click Report. Will the plunge slow down soon? State Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome, says yes. The Rome Republican predicted "state revenue will flatten out by January," adding that the real drop started in January 2009. Smith made his comments at Wednesday's pre-legislative forum at The Palladium.

-Loudermilk 'humbled' by speaker talk: Rep. Barry Loudermilk says the support he's getting to be considered as Georgia's next speaker of the House is humbling. Two Facebook groups boosting a Loudermilk bid have 250 members. Click

-Lawmakers to chamber members--House 'cleaning' is under way: Budget shortfalls, cuts will dominate 2010 session as legislators cut current year's spending plan and draft the 2010-11 budget. Click Legislators

-Chamber outlines legislative goals for 2010 session> Goals

Weather

Flood warnings continue for three local waterways:

-Armuchee Creek: 22.7. feet this morning and rising; flood stage is 19 feet.

-Oostanaula River near Calhoun: 20.3 feet and rising; flood stage is 20 feet.

-Chattooga River near Summerville: 16.5 feet and falling. Flood stage is 14 feet.

-Forecasts and updates, below.

Business

-Simon buying Prime Oulets, owner of Calhoun center: Simon Property Group Inc. is buying the parent company of Prime Outlets of Calhoun for $2.33 billion, Simon is the nation's largest shopping mall owner, including Town Center, Mall of Georgia and North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville> Bloomberg

Entertainment

-Indoor Motocross highlights huge January for Forum: In a first for The Forum, indoor motocross is coming to town Jan. 8-9 as part of the 2009-10 Fly Racing Indoor Stadium Cross presented by Pirelli and FMF. Click Motocross.

-The competition is part of a big January coming together for The Forum.  Also on tap: The Three Rivers Invitation Bull Ride on Jan. 15-16; the Battle of Rome VII on Jan. 23; Willie Nelson on Jan. 27; and the Northwest Georgia Bridal Showcase on Jan. 31. Click Events

-Winter Wine Highway Weekend is here. Visit nine North Georgia wineries just by paying a $20 'passport' fee. It's a great way to go Christmas shopping as well. You'll find wines, accessories and other gift ideas > Wine News Vine

Community

-Services set for retired Rome businessman Julian Mark Harrison Jr.: He owned the Ford and Mercedes dealership before retiring> Obituaries

-Services set for Father James Miceli, retired St. Mary's pastor> Obituaries

-More swine flu vaccine available Thursday: The Floyd County Health Department will conduct another H1N1 flu-shot clinic Thursday, December 10, from 8 AM to 6 PM, at the health department, 16 East 12th Street, Rome, GA.  Shots will be given on a walk-in basis as long as vaccine supply lasts; however, people who prefer an appointment may call the health department at 706-295-6123 to schedule one for either December 10 or December 30> Health

Giving the gift of toys--for tots

Seventh grade student Jere Tan donates a toy to the USMC Toys for Tots program.

(Media release) Students at Saint Mary's Catholic School participated in Toys for Tots, the annual holiday gift collection sponsored by the United States Marine Corps.  Each student brought a new, unopened toy to school to donate to less fortunate families. First Sgt. Ken Futch USMC retired is the local coordinator for the program. In the wake of Rome's Marine base closing in the past year, Futch has enlisted the help of Floyd Medical Center's Emergency Medical Service, citing that "it's tradition for the kids to see a large truck and people in uniform" at the event. Lance Cpl. Jeremy Klaas, father of Saint Mary's pre-k student Jessica Klaas, arrived in his Marine uniform to help collect toys from the students. For Saint Mary's students, the annual December event emphasizes the Advent season, a time during which the school has focused on generosity and service to others.  When fourth grade student Sarah Steinemann was asked how it made her feel to be a part of the nation wide toy drive, she said "It made me feel good because I knew someone would get a toy this Christmas because of me."

 

Your latest forecast:

-Thursday: Sunny and cooler, high of 47. Low of 21.

-Friday: Mostly sunny, high of 47, low of 25.

-Extended forecast> Click  /  Local radar  / regional radar

Downtown Headlines: (click)

-Babes in Toyland, dinner theater highlight upcoming weekend.

-Bryan Mullins' MullinsMania entertainment updates.

Dining & Drink:

-Dining updates: Dinner theater at 333 on Broad Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19> Dining

-Weekly public health restaurant inspection scores> Scores

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-What! Are you telling me that Alabama has no class?

John McClellan's state championship picks> Football Report

-Buford by 4 over Calhoun. Plus: John's picks on all high school divisions>

-Can't get to the Dome? Watch the game live on GPB at 4:30 p.m.

-Georgia High School Football Daily> Click

NAIA National Championship Game

-As final preparations begin for 2009 NAIA game, negotiations are about to start on extending Rome's contract to host the showdown each year> Click

-Day-by-day scheduled for the NAIA National Championship events in Rome: The game is Dec. 19 but events start days earlier> Details

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Atlanta Braves' ace Tommy Hanson to appear at Rome Braves' Hot Stove Gathering at The Forum Jan. 25> Sports

-Ingle, Moore, Czajkowski, Chase return to Rome Braves in '10

-Rome Braves offer new 12-pack flex ticket plans.

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.