Tuesday's updates

Click www.bartowheadlines.com:

Regional employment: Losses -- and gains

-Advanced Steel Technology lays off 91 in move that could be temporary:

The company, off Ga. 53 at  Hermitage Road, has idled 91 employees for two weeks and will extend that at least another two weeks and "probably longer," says human resources director Linda Hales. She adds that the company hopes it won't extend much beyond that but it depends on orders. The state Department of Labor was notified of the staff reduction as Advanced cited the extended shutdown by two clients. As many as 121 jobs could be involved but so far the number has held at 91, Hales said. Advanced Steel continues to help those staffers in terms of unemployment assistance, she says. This is the first major layoff in Rome/Floyd County since Kmart idled 80 workers in the grocery area in April.

>Local layoffs hit 1,364 since Jan. 1, up two thirds vs. first half of 2008:

With three weeks left in the first half of 2009, major layoffs in the five-county area have hit 1,364 people, including the latest from Advanced Steel Technologies. The largest to date is 659 jobs at Trinity Rail Car in Cartersville as that plant closes followed by 390 in Calhoun as Shaw closes Plant 07.

-Vs. 2008: That compares to 814 layoffs between Jan. 1-June 30, 2008, in Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Chattooga and Polk counties-- a 67.6 percent increase.  The 2008 numbers included 250 released by Mount Vernon Mills in Chattooga County and 153 jobs when Pierre Foods closed in Cedartown.

-Gingrey to host job retraining workshops June 30, July 2> Business

-Bentley Dye job fair today, Wednesday; 300 jobs available> Buzz

Business

-Hilton Garden Inn opening pushed back? The new Cartersville hotel just off busy East Main Street now posts a "reservations date" of after Sept. 15. At one time, the hotel was expected to open in late 2008. (click) Also on the way: Microtel on U.S. 41. An Acworth location also is on the rise.

-Mount Berry Animal Hospital opens on Martha Berry Highway: The former Glenwood Veterinary Clinic is in operation at the one-time home of T-Bone's just north of Mount Berry Square and World of Wings.

Politics

-Gingrey hosting C-SPAN's Washington Journal starting at 7:25 this morning. He'll be on for 30 minutes, discussing health care and taking calls for half an hour.

-Three area mayors join endorsement of Casey Cagle:  Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle's re-election bid has picked up the support of more than 100 mayors around the state. The local names on the release include:

• Adairsville Mayor Evan King
• Resaca Mayor Samuel Allen
• Lyerly Mayor Charles Jones
• Summerville Mayor Joe Norton

-Rome's July 4 Tea Party to last from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.> Politics

Tentative services set for Spc. Jeffrey W. Jordan: There are tentative plans out today for services honoring Cave Spring's Jeffrey William Jordan, 21. The Floyd County native was killed in an explosion last week in Afghanistan. The following plans again are tentative and could change:

-His body will be released from Dover probably on Wednesday and flown to Richard B. Russell Airport/Towers Field.

-A procession through downtown Rome would follow later in the day.

-His family will receive friends at Henderson and Sons Funeral Home Thursday.

-Jordan's funeral will be held Friday with burial at Oak Knoll Cemetery.

-For more, please click Henderson and Sons.  (Click)

>How to help: An account has been established for Jeff's son, Tailor, at Coosa Valley Federal Credit Union> Click

Tuesday's Buzz

-Shorter adds online courses in sports management; more on the way> CH

-3 Rome Braves among South Atlantic League 2009 All-Stars> Sports

-Cartersville man among six new members join Berry's Board of Visitors> Campus Headlines

 

Weather:

-Tuesday: Mostly sunny; 20% chance of showers, thunderstorms. High of 92.

-Tuesday night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s.

-Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a 20% chance of showers, thunderstorms. High of 92.

-Latest local Radar / Latest regional Radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable:
-Remembering Peachtree Bart, 'Nique and other Atlanta sports icons

Rome Braves updates: 

-Charleston takes third straight vs. Braves, 6-3.
-Up next: Tuesday-Thursday at Savannah.
-Latest Mills Fitzner game photos> Gallery