Friday, July 29, 2011

Cartersville Jewelry Exchange coming to Riverbend Center, moving in Bartow. Latest on deficit debate from Gingrey, Graves, Chambliss, Isakson. Heat index of 98 today, 104 Saturday. Weekend guide.

 
Cartersville Jewelry Exchange growing again.
-Coming to Riverbend Center in Rome this fall and to Canton.
-Cartersville shop moving to Main Street Commons near Kohls.
   

Debt limit/deficit debate:

-House vote on latest Boehner package now set for today.

-Latest updates Gingrey, Graves, Chambliss and Isakson. 

-Today on Hometown Headlines Radio Edition: The AJC's political insider, Jim Galloway, talks about the Georgia delegation and the deficit standoff. 7:40 a.m.   

 

Kingston teacher pleads guilty to possessing child pornography.

-Latest jail reports.
 

Your latest forecast:
-Friday: 20% rain chance, high of 94, low of 71. Heat index: 99.

-Saturday: 50% chance of rain, high of 97, low of 73. Heat index: 104.

-Sunday: 50% rain chance, high of 95, low of 72.

 

Weekend Buzz:

-Dining scores

 

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey

-You picked a fine time to fire me loose Heels; TV out of control.

 

Rome Braves: Sports.

-Lexington hangs on for 7-5 win over Rome.

-In Lexington tonight-Sunday.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Kingston school teacher pleads guilty to distributing and possesing child pornography

     Media release -- RAYMOND WATTS a/k/a 'Robin St. Taw,' 55, of Kingston pleaded guilty today to distributing and possessing child pornography.

        United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, "The possession and distribution of child pornography is a disturbing crime, but the potential harms to the community are increased exponentially when the defendant is entrusted with children at a local school. The arrest and conviction of this defendant has made Woodstock a safer place."

        "ICE HSI will aggressively use its broad investigative authorities to identify and arrest individuals who seek to sexually exploit any child," said Brock Nicholson, Special Agent in Charge of ICE-HSI in Atlanta. "HSI is fully committed to insuring that those who victimize children - including those who hold positions of public trust as in this case - are brought to justice." Nicholson oversees HSI for the states of Georgia, North and South Carolina.

        According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and the information contained in public record documents: During the course of an ongoing child pornography investigation, law enforcement officers discovered that WATTS appeared to be a possessor of sexually explicit images of children, in particular, minor boys.  At that time, WATTS was working as a middle school teacher in Woodstock, Georgia.  In early 2011, an undercover law enforcement agent made contact with WATTS, which led to in- person meetings between WATTS and the undercover agent.  During one of their meetings, WATTS distributed numerous images of child pornography to the agent.  WATTS was later found to have hundreds of sexually explicit images of children on his home computer.

        WATTS could receive a maximum sentence of incarceration of 30 years, a total fine of $250,000, and supervised release for life.  In determining his actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

        WATTS is scheduled to be sentenced before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Vining on November 3, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

        This case is being prosecuted as a priority of the Justice Department's Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney's Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

        This case was investigated by the Special Agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI)

        Assistant United States Attorney Jill E. Steinberg is prosecuting the case.

Bartow's jobless rate drops year over year; jobs inch up. Latest dining reports. Another triple-digit heat index. Latest jail reports

 

June's employment report:  

-Jobless rate climbs but so do number of people working.

-County-by-county reports on unemployment and labor force changes.

 

Double take on latest Tennis Center of Georgia at Berry College push:

-New visuals of proposed tennis center, private brunch with the the governor included in new website, Facebook page.

-What's missing: a lot of the specifics on funding including the overall project cost ($18.7 million) 

-Gov. Deal being courted? Statewide, local campaign managers among those named to new advisory board.

 

 Rome International Film Festival grows to 87 films from 20 counties.

 -Shorts, feature-length productions due Sept. 8-11.  

 

TLC's Extreme Couponing back in Rome this week:

 -Customers spot filming crews at Kroger.

   

Public health restaurant inspection scores:  

-From a pair in 100s in Bartow, Gordon counties to a 42 in Calhoun

   

Mohawk releases second annual sustainability report: Mohawk Industries' online document "highlights its source of inspiration - all the people who make Mohawk successful - while developing a comprehensive report that shows improvement and excellence in nearly every measure of sustainability for 2010," according to the media release.

 

Your latest forecast:
-Thursday: 20% rain chance, high of 95, low of 70. Heat index: 102.
-Friday: 30% rain chance, high of 95, low of 70. Heat index: 102.
-Saturday: 30% chance of rain, high of 97, low of 71. 

   

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey   

-Why can't Vols find a czar? Boise State isn't blue any more

 

Rome Braves: Sports

-Off Wednesday. In Lexington Thursday-Sunday.  

-Mills Fitzner's latest game photos.  

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Acworth man held in Bartow rape, burglary. Deficit debate: Graves stays with Cut, Cap & Balance; on Hometown Radio, C-SPAN today. Free tea deal at the Chick. CVB opens People's Choice vote

 
Acworth man held on rape, burglary charges in Bartow County.
-Latest jail reports.
 
U.S. Rep. Tom Graves stands by Cut, Cap & Balance, to appear on C-SPAN's Washington Journal this morning.

-But before he does, Graves will join us on Hometown Headlines Radio Edition at 7:40 a.m. on WRGA 1470 AM.

 

Voting under way on annual People's Choice Awards: restaurant, retail, top attraction.

   

Don't pass this sweet tea up:

 -Chick-Fil-A's latest promo: free half-gallon of tea (sweet or unsweet)

 

Aug. 27: Fourth Annual Emergency Preparedness Night with the Rome Braves

 

 Your latest forecast:
-Wednesday: Rain chance 20 %. High of 96, low of 70.
-Thursday: 30% rain chance, high of 95, low of 70.
Heat index: 100
.
-Friday: 20% rain chance, high of 95, low of 71.

   

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey   

-Who's teaching whom at the University of South Carolina?

 

Rome Braves: Sports

-Braves hang on for 9-8 win.

-Off Wednesday. In Lexington Thursday-Sunday.  

-Mills Fitzner's latest game photos.  

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Aftermath of the president's speech. GOP family festival is Saturday. Chamber gets new website. Latest jail reports. What's ahead in Bartow. More heat, maybe rain.

 
Reaction to President Obama's Monday address to the nation

-Links to the president's speech and to Speaker John Boehner's reaction. Gingrey, Graves, Chambliss, Isakson

-Today on the Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM: Listener calls on the speech and reaction at 7:40 a.m.; what it means to your investments at 8:40 a.m. Details below.


Timing of Saturday's Bartow GOP rally, Aug. 13 Floyd GOP Rally at the Hangar is just about perfect; deficit debate, upcoming reapportionment could highlight comments from state, congressional speakers scheduled to attend.

 
Chamber gets updated, upgrade web site.
 
Latest jail reports.

 Your latest forecast: 
-Tuesday: 20% rain chance, high of 93, low of 70.
-Wednesday: High of 96, low of 70. Heat index: 99.
-Thursday: 30% rain chance, high of 93, low of 71.

   

Today's Hometown Headlines Radio Edition  on WRGA 1470 AM.

-We're live, local and large today with:

-7:10 a.m. The Buzz of Northwest Georgia.
-7:40 a.m.  Your comments on the president's speech, reaction.
-8:10 a.m. Chris Giddens, youth minister, Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church.
-8:40 a.m. Bill Miller, Patton, Robinson & Miller, and Roger Goss, River City Bank, on U.S. deficit concerns and your finances.

-Hometown Radio page on Facebook. Hometown Radio  

 

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey   

-NFL needs to start to get the criminals off the streets.

 

Rome Braves: Sports.

-Braves-Intimidators rained out Monday. 

-Tonight: home vs. Kannapolis 

-Mills Fitzner's latest game photos.  

Monday, July 25, 2011

Cartersville-Bartow Chamber launches updated, upgraded website

 
Media release: The Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce would like to announce the launch of our new website. The new website has many new beneficial features for chamber members to utilize and explore. Start by taking advantage of excellent opportunities for your business to attract new customers and share information with our community and the world.
 
Log in today to update your information and take advantage of these features!
  • Business Directory Listing - your business information is available to consumers through the chamber's website – visitors can search by category, keyword or alphabetically
     
  • Online Informational Brochure  - your own page on the chamber's website which can include your business description, hours of operation, location information, and up to eight keywords (these help identify your business when a website visitor does a keyword search on the Business Directory)
     
  • Job Postings– add your own job openings to the Chamber's website
     
  • Hot Deals – include store coupons and special offers on the Chamber's website
     
  • Event Posting - add your business' events to the Chamber's Online Events Calendar – chamber website visitors can add your event to Outlook, e-mail the details to a friend and request an automatically generated email reminder for your event
     
  • "Email to a friend" link - visitors to your Online Informational Brochure may select a link to email your business information to a friend
 
chamber members need to enter the login name and password found in an e-mail sent this week to gain access to all of these features, update your information and more at www.chamberlogin.com or visit our website www.cartersvillechamber.com and click Member Login in the upper right corner. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Joy Salter at Joy@cartersvillechamber.com or 770.382.1466 ext. 120.

Thrift shop business gets more competitive even as new Goodwill store delayed. 80% chance of rain today, tonight. Chipper Jones helps seal Rome Braves' win. Norman Arey on Sports

 
 
The Buzz of Northwest Georgia. Click

-Boom in local thrift shops also means more competition for used goods.

-Rome's new Goodwill store will add to it -- but opening date pushed back.

-What's under the lid at Sick Hats?

-Another big year for library's summer reading program.   

 

 Your latest forecast:
-Monday: 70% rain chance, high of 90, low of 71.
Half inch of rain.

-Tuesday: 30% rain chance, high of 91, low of 69.

-Wednesday: 20% rain chance, high of 91, low of 72.

 

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.

 

What's ahead in Bartow County.

 

Chipper Jones' RBI helps seal Rome Braves' win. Details below. 

   

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey   

-What? College conference realignment on the agenda again?

 

Rome Braves: Sports.

-Chipper Jones hits RBI in helping Rome to a 2-0 win.

-Expanded photo gallery of Chipper's two-game stint with Rome.

-Today-Tuesday home vs. Kannapolis
-Mills Fitzner's latest game photos.  

Friday, July 22, 2011

No sales tax holiday this year in Ga. But nearby ... Retail, restaurant buzz. Triple-digit heat index; air quality alert. Jail reports. Rome Braves win. Arey on Sports

For more, please click www.bartowheadlines.com:
 

What's buzzing:

-Read my lips: No sales tax holiday -- in Georgia. But nearby . . .  

-Sunglasses Hut joins Calhoun Premium Outlets. 

-Dining: Partridge update; Siesta Fiesta begins, eat mor' oatmeal?

-Watching the Mohawk numbers.

 

Links to Cartersville, Bartow Adequate Yearly Performance grades

 

Petz expanding in just one year; more on the way?

 

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.

 

What's ahead in Bartow County.

 

Your latest forecast: 

-Friday: 30% rain chance, high of 93, low of 73. Heat index: 99.
-Saturday: 30% rain chance, high of 96, low of 72. Heat index 102.
-Sunday: 30% chance of rain, high of 96, low of 74.
 

 

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey   

-Bengals set mark; experienced college QB isn't necessary.  

 

Rome Braves: Sports.

-Braves get a walk-off win, 3-2. 

-Tonight vs. Delmarva. Saturday-Tuesday home vs. Kannapolis
-Mills Fitzner's latest game photos.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

First-time jobless claims drop in Bartow in June. Storm dumps 2.2 inches of rain on Cartersville. Jail reports. Latest restaurant scores

 
First-time jobless claims drop in Bartow, Gordon; up in Floyd

-State's jobless rate climbs to 9.9% in June.

 
Afternoon storm dumps 2.2 inches of rain on Cartersville.

Chambliss on Hometown Radio today at 8:10 a.m.:

-U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss will be a guest on the Hometown Headlines Radio Edition during our 8:10 a.m. segment on WRGA 1470 AM. Chambliss, a Georgia Republican, is a member of the "Gang of Six," the group that authored a deficit compromise that is being warmly received by the Obama Administration but criticized by others.Listen online

 

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.  

 

From a 99 for Dee's Roadkill Cafe in White to a 65 in Polk County, your weekly look at public health restaurant scores   

-Bryan Mullins' downtown entertainment report for the weekend. 

 

Your latest forecast: 

-Thursday: 30% rain chance, high of 93, low of 72. Heat index: 103.

-Friday: 30% rain chance, high of 94, low of 72. Head index: 103 

 

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey   

-Do we as sports fans operate with a double standard?

 

Rome Braves: Sports.

-Braves opens home stand with 6-1 over Shorebirds.

-Tonight-Friday vs. Delmarva

 

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Aug. 6: Night at the Museum III has science, science fiction and more

Media release: Tellus Science Museum brings science and science fiction to life with the much anticipated return of Night at the Museum on Saturday, August 6, 2011 from 6 PM to 10 PM.
 
The museum will be alive with a cast of over 50 characters that includes some of the greatest names in science fact and fiction such as Albert Einstein and Amelia Earhart to the unforgettable Doctor Who, Star Trek's Data, Alien's Ripley, and many more.

 

The cast is composed of Cartersville's Pumphouse Players as well as the 501st Legion, a Star Wars costuming organization. 

 

"We really wanted to do something different this year for Night at the Museum, and bringing in the best of science fiction seemed like a perfect fit," said Tellus Director of Marketing Joe Schulman. "Night at the Museum has always been a family event, but this year it's going to be something adults are really going to enjoy sharing with their kids."

 

The event also includes exciting experiments and demonstrations conducted by the Tellus Mad Scientists, running every 20 minutes in the Tellus Theater, as well as free planetarium shows. All children will receive a complimentary autograph book for the characters to sign.

 

Last year Night at the Museum brought in more than 1400 visitors to Tellus and this year the numbers are anticipated to be even higher as the event's popularity continues to grow.

 

"This is a unique and fun event for the entire family," said Tellus Museum Director Jose Santamaria. "Where else can you see Albert Einstein, H.G. Wells and Imperial Storm Troopers in the same museum!"

 

Tickets are on sale now and cost $10 for Tellus members and $20 for non-members.

 

For more information or to purchase your tickets call 770-606-5700 ext. 431.

 

 

 

 

Joe Schulman

Director of Marketing

Tellus Science Museum

770-606-5732

 

Gingrey, Graves, House pass Cut, Cap & Balance. Triple-digit heat index returns; 40% rain chance. Tellus expects 2,000 at 'Night at the Museum III' .

 

Gingrey, Graves join House in passing Cut, Cap & Balance Act.


Triple-digit heat index returns today, Thursday. Weather below.

-Code Orange smog alert again today for Bartow, metro Atlanta.   

 

Work continues an extra day on Main Street.

 

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.

 

Tellus' third annual Night at the Museum blends science, science fiction

 -Star Wars' characters, others due for Aug. 6 celebration.

 

Two-for-one stock split for Bank of the Ozarks (former Unity National).

 

Your latest forecast: 

-Wednesday: 40% rain chance, high of 93, low of 73. Heat index: 100 degrees.

-Thursday: 40% rain chance, high of 95, low of 72. Heat index: 103 degrees.

-Friday: 30% rain chance, high of 94, low of 72.

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey   

-It's time for Auburn's Gus Malzahn to become his own man.

 

Rome Braves: Sports.

-Off Tuesday; home vs. Delmarva tonight-Friday.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Cartersville's Floyd finalist for Chattooga schools post. Off-duty deputy arrested in domestic investigation. Latest jail reports. Low 90s, 30% rain chance.

 
Off-duty deputy arrested in domestic dispute investigation.
 
Cartersville's Floyd in hunt for Chattooga superintendent's post.
 
Layoffs, financial crossroads for local Red Cross operation
-Fewer overall donations means cuts here, nationwide.

   

Campaign 2012 really starts Wednesday with reapportionment meeting.

 -Redrawn districts likely to cause local political dominoes to fall.

   

Business Chronicle's other Lowe's/Floyd scoop -- in 2009

 -This is embarrassing: first hint on Lowe's came two years ago.


Latest Bartow County Jail updates.

 

What's ahead in Bartow County.

 

Your latest forecast:

-Tuesday: 20% rain chance, high of 92, low of 71.

-Wednesday: 30% rain chance,  high of 94, low of 72. 

 

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey   

-Hey NCAA, if you want Tech's title ring, it'll take some doing.

 

Rome Braves: Sports.

-Rome wins Greenville finale, 7-3.

-Off Tuesday; home vs. Delmarva Wednesday-Friday.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Wendy Bailey joins The Hope Center, a service of Cartersville Medical Center, as Oncology Patient Navigator

 
Media release:  Wendy Bailey, RN, BSN, OCN, has joined The Hope Center, a service of Cartersville Medical Center, as Oncology Patient Navigator.  A certified oncology nurse for over 20 years, Bailey's role was created specifically to help guide cancer patients through their journey of treatment and provide assistance and resources to patients, family members and physician offices.

 

Bailey's knowledge is extensive; however, her passion for working with cancer patients is even more impressive.   Bailey is a strong advocate for patient education and provides compassionate and prudent care.  "I have several years of oncology experience, including direct patient care in both hospital and outpatient chemotherapy settings, so I know first-hand about managing side effects," says Bailey.

 

The oncology navigator's role is designed to facilitate timely access to care by providing guidance, information and support for patients facing a cancer diagnosis.  The Hope Center oncology patient navigator can:

  • Quickly facilitate new appointments
  • Provide education about the disease process and treatment options
  • Coordinate communication between patients, caregivers and healthcare providers
  • Streamline patient appointments and paperwork
  • Address concerns and calm fears patients may have about treatment and other processes
  • Provide resources and options for copay assistance and medications
  • Assist with transportation needs

 

"We are fortunate to have Wendy join our oncology services team at The Hope Center," said Lori Rakes, Chief Operating Officer at Cartersville Medical Center.  Bailey is a charter member of the local Oncology Nursing Society chapter, regularly attends oncology conferences and continuing education programs and has volunteered for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for fifteen years.

 

Simply put, experience matters.  The Hope Center is a regional cancer center which utilizes a multidisciplinary team of professionals — led by radiation oncologists Dr. William Thoms and Dr. Lorie Hughes — to ensure patients receive the highest quality of cancer care.  The Hope Center successfully treats various types of cancer in a compassionate environment which includes emotional support and resources as well as excellent clinical treatment.

 

For more information about Oncology Navigator Services at The Hope Center, call MedLine at 1.800.242.5662.

What's ahead in Bartow County. Latest jail reports. Temps back in the mid-90s this week. Tracking Storm Bret. Regional buzz

 
The Buzz of Northwest Georgia. Click

 -The return of Dunkin Donuts to Rome?

 -Sundae's Sweet Shop: changes brewing?

 -Rome's changing grocery stores, from mammoth to micro operations.

 

Your latest forecast:

-Monday: High of 9`, low of 67.

-Tuesday: 20% rain chance, high of 93, low of 71.

-Wednesday: 30% rain chance,  high of 95, low of 72.

 

Keep an eye on Tropical Storm Bret if heading to East Coast:

 

Georgia gas price rises 9 cents a gallon.   

 

What's ahead in Bartow County including road closings, detours.

 

Bartow County Jail updates.

 

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey   

-Tiger's ex-wife doing fine; Tebow the greatest over the past decade.

 

Rome Braves: Sports.

-Rome falls 5-4 to Greenville.

-In Greenville tonight; off Tuesday.

Friday, July 15, 2011

75 employers set for Shorter job fair. 600-plus jobs closer as Lowe's work ramps up. New Verizon Wireless hiring. Big numbers at Tellus, Jandy's. More rain, less heat this weekend. Braves lose. Arey on Tech's woes.

 

Shorter/Northwest Georgia Job Fair returns Sept. 22:

-The Third Annual Northwest Georgia Shorter University Job Fair will be held at The Forum from 9 a.m. until noon.

Labor Department: 75 employers will be take applications, resumes.

 

Job fair today for Bartow projects.

 

By the numbers:

-13,000-plus enter phone numbers for PlumReward's mobile coupons at Jandy's so far.

-Tellus Science Museum to great visitor No. 500,000 soon after opening today.

 

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.

 

Key street closings Monday, Tuesday.

 

Shorter announces spring dean's list

 

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey   

-Georgia Tech's NCAA punishment embarrassment to Jackets.

 

Rome Braves: Sports.

-Kannapolis wins again, 6-1.

-At Kannapolis Tonight-Friday.

 

Latest public health restaurant inspection scores.


More rain, less heat this weekend
-Friday: 60% rain chance, high of 84, low of 72.
-Saturday: 50% rain chance, high of 85, low of 72.
-Sunday: 20% rain chance, high of 89, low of 66.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Slightly cooler after stormy afternoon. Bartow drafts 'incentives' for Dream Parks. Huge quarter for 'Ozarks.' Public health restaurant scores. Arey on Sports.

 

Slightly cooler today through the weekend; 40-60% chance of rain-Thursday: 40% rain chance, high of 93, low of 73.
-Friday: 60% rain chance, high of 89, low of 71.
-Saturday: 30% rain chance, high of 88, low of 70.  

 

Latest public health restaurant inspection scores

-A couple of perfect scores -- 100 -- and two in the mid-50s. 

 

Record-setting quarterly profits for Bank of the Ozarks but . . .

-Much of that growth came from buying two Georgia banks in late April. Ozarks bought Unity National Bank in March 2010. 

 

Bartow County governments, groups drafting incentives to support massive LakePoint Sporting Community in Emerson.

 

Latest Bartow County Jail updates.

 

Job fair set for construction projects.

 

As Floyd, Redmond await fate of Polk Medical Center, new $125 million hospital announced in nearby Hiram

 

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey  

-What's wrong with a pet gator? Goodell unpopular with Harrison

 

Rome Braves: Sports.

-Intimidators edge Braves, 6-5

-At Kannapolis Tonight-Friday.

 
 

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Deal: June revenue numbers up 6.2 percent

Media release: The state of Georgia's net revenue in June rose $87.5 million or 6.2 percent as compared to net revenues in June 2010, Gov. Nathan Deal reported today. The strong finish to FY 2011 punctuates a year of improvement in which all 12 months showed positive growth in monthly net collections relative to FY 2010.


"We saw numbers that were above trend for 12 consecutive months in FY 2011," Deal said. "The upward movement in Georgia's revenue numbers is a clear indication that our state can and will advance as long as we continue the practice of maintaining a fiscally conservative state budget."

 

The following changes within the various tax categories led to the overall revenue increase:

Individual Income Tax: Individual Income Tax collections for June 2011 reported an increase of $55 million or 7.5  percent, up from $728 million in June 2010 to $783 million in June 2011.


 The following notable components within Individual Income Tax make up the overall increase:

·         Individual estimated payments are up $14.5 million or 13.5 percent.

·         Individual withholding payments are up $12 million or 1.8 percent.

·         Individual refunds issued (net of voided checks) are down $(22.5) million or -27.7 percent.

·         All other Individual Income Tax categories are up $6 million.

Sales and Use Tax: Sales and Use Tax reported an increase in net collections of $45 million or 11.4 percent, up from $394 million in June 2010 to $439 million in June 2011. Gross collections reported an increase of $46 million or 6.0 percent, up from $763 million in June 2010 to $809 million in June 2011. Net Refunds were up to $2 million or 88 percent when compared to the same month last year. The Local Sales Tax Distribution for June 2011 declined by $(1) million when compared to the sales tax distribution total of $367 million in June 2010.