Christmas Eve updates from www.bartowheadlines.com

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More bad news: November's jobless rate climbs again

	Working in November	Jobless in November	Percent jobless	% jobless October	% jobless Nov. 2007
Bartow	43,369	4,066	8.6%	8.0%	4.6%
Chattooga	10,002	1,259	11.2%	9.1%	10.8%
Floyd	45,951	3,752	7.5%	7.5%	4.4%
Gordon	25,362	2,525	9.1%	8.7%	4.6%
Polk	20,191	1,641	7.5%	7.1%	3.9%
State	4,539,320	354,274	7.2%	6.9%	4.2%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

Nearly 13,250 Northwest Georgians were out of work last month as jobless rates continued to soar above last year's levels. Area counties posted unemployment rates exceeding the state (7.2 percent) and U.S. (6.7 percent) averages.

-In Floyd County, the jobless rate was 7.5 percent in November, the same as October. That compares to 4.4 percent in November 2007.

-Polk's jobless rate also was 7.5 percent vs. 3.9 percent a year earlier.

-Bartow County had the most people out of work, 4,066 or 8.6 percent of the labor force. That's compared to 4.6 percent a year earlier.

-By percentage, Chattooga had the highest--11.2 percent. The county's jobless count has been in double digits several times this year.

-Gordon County saw its total climb to 9.1 percent, or 2,525 people.

-Georgia: The state's jobless rate climbed to to 7.2 percent in November, the highest rate since July 1983. Over the last year, the number of payroll jobs in Georgia decreased 94,400 or 2.3 percent. Manufacturing, construction, and trade -- along with administrative and support services, including temporary employment agencies --were the hardest hit industries.

With Tellus opening just days away, new Web site up; opening gala sold out:  The new Tellus/Northwest Georgia Science Museum opens Monday, Jan. 12, in Cartersville. You can get a quick look at what's ahead both then and in coming months at the museum's recently updated and upgraded Web site. Organizers also report the Jan. 10 opening gala is sold out> Tellus

NORAD ready to track Santa's trek: NORAD, the U.S.-Canadian military organization responsible for the defense of aerospace and maritime of North America, is tracking Santa again this Christmas Eve. You'll even be able to do it by mobile phone if needed. For more, click NORAD

-Christmas Eve: 60% chance of showers, low of 47> WeatherCenter

-Christmas travel updates> Click Travel

Christmas travel updates:

-Gas prices at $1.57 a gallon, up a nickel since last week: But put it into perspective. A year ago, we were paying $2.98 a gallon> Gas prices

-State patrol holiday weekend forecast--19 deaths, 2,945 accidents: Impaired driving and the lack of seat belt use top the list of violations Georgia troopers say they'll be targeting during the Christmas holiday travel period, 6 p.m. Christmas Eve until midnight Sunday. They predict 19 traffic deaths on Georgia roads, 2,945 traffic accidents and 1,494 injuries. In 2007, Georgia recorded 18 traffic deaths, 3,039 crashes, and 1,158 injuries> State Patrol

-DOT suspends road work: Georgia's Department of Transportation is suspending lane closures from noon Tuesday through 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29. Another suspension is set for Wednesday, Dec. 31, through Friday, Jan. 2.

-Check the latest traffic conditions> DOT Maps

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Weather Center / Brought to you by Roman Court

-Today: 70% chance of rain, high of 64

-Christmas Eve: 80% chance of showers, low of 47

-Christmas Day: 20% rain chance, high of 58.

-For additional updates, please click WeatherCenter

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

-Forget about Bernie Madoff and your 401k; celebrate our big January of football. For more, click Arey

Sports update

-Atlanta Braves tweak some minor league assignments>  Sports