Tuesday updates from www.bartowheadlines.com

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First quarter ends with some ups, downs -- and lots of hopes:

The first three months of 2009's trouble economy end tonight and lots of questions remain about the next six months. What we're seeing, by the numbers:

-Layoffs down more than 50 percent vs. January-March 2008:

A year ago, 814 people had been idled by large employers in Floyd, Chattooga, Polk and Bartow counties. This year, the tally is 390 as Shaw Industries prepares to close a plant in Gordon County. But: The February regional jobless rate hit 10.5 percent (click).

-Two major retailers exited the market, Circuit City and Goody's, but there's chatter about retail growth at The Boulevard and Berry Crossing/CVS.

-Local option sales tax revenue received this year is about $100,000 ahead of the same period in 2008 in Floyd County and up by $38,000 in Rome.

-Gas prices are inching toward $2 a gallon again. That's still $1.28 less than what we were paying for unleaded in late March 2008.

-Home sales were slow here in January and February but March numbers could reflect an improvement, Realtors say.

-'Institutional growth' remains strong: Two large dorms are rising at Berry College with an August opening set. Shorter College is prepping its nursing school. As Coosa Valley morphs into Georgia Northwestern Technical College, work continues on the culinary arts building. And Georgia Highlands is growing into Douglas County with a second Cartersville building in the wind.

-Even with disposable income tight, people are packing the Tellus Northwest Georgia Science Museum in Cartersville. More than 42,000 have toured since the mid-January opening and three times that number are due by year's end (AP).

Tuesday's Buzz:

-Latest edition of Berry's Alumni Accent now posted> Click

-Watterson named vice president of academic affairs at Georgia Highlands: Dr. Rena Watterson replaces Virginia Carson> Campus

-NFL's Tony Dungy to speak at Shatto lecture April 16> Berry

-'Tri for Kids' adds category for physically disabled athletes> Kids

-Redmond donates $2,.500 in honor of Doctor's Day 2009> Health

-Synovus, parent company of Citizens First Bank and Georgia Bank & Trust, to release first quarter earnings April 22> Release

WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court

-Tuesday: 40% chance of rain, high of 64.

-Tuesday night: 100% chance of showers, storms; low of 51.
-Wednesday: 20% chance of rain, high of 70.
-For more, click WeatherCenter

AJC: Drought over but watering restrictions remain> AJC

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

-Final Four favorites: UConn by four over MSU, N. Carolina by 8 over Villanova> Click Arey

Rome Braves preseason updates

-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

Community Holy Week service marks 20 years; St. Mary's is 2009 host

(Media release) Continuing a 20-year tradition, Rome's downtown churches will hold joint Community Holy Week services on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week, April 6-8. The host this year is St. Mary's Catholic Church, 911 N. Broad St.

Services, which include prayer and preaching by a variety of area ministers, begin at noon each day. A light lunch will be served in the church's Parish Hall following the service at no cost but an offering will be taken during each day's service for the needy of our community.

Pastor Carey Ingram of Lovejoy Baptist Church will preach at Monday's service; Tuesday's worship will be led by Rev. Horace Stewart of First Christian Church. On Wednesday, Pastor Katrina Brooks of North Broad Baptist Church will preach. Other local ministers will lead the prayers and Scripture readings each day.

Father James Miceli, Pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, is this year's host. "These services are a wonderful opportunity for Christians to come together in respect and love as we celebrate the great events of Holy Week and Easter," Miceli says. "This is a great witness to our shared faith, especially important in the face of the pressing issues that face us concerning ethical and moral values, the dignity of life, and justice and peace".

Parking is available on West First Street behind the church. Ushers will direct worshipers to parking areas and the Church, and security will be provided during the service and lunch. For more, contact Deacon Stuart Neslin of St. Mary's at (706) 290-9000, x. 33.

>More Holy Week services> Click

>Send service updates for Holy Week, Easter> E-mail