Thursday, August 27, 2009

Thursday updates

 

Double dose of troubling economic news:

1) Jobless surge slows; unemployment still in 11.3-13.9% range

 

July 2009

Employed

July 2009

Unemployed

July 2009

% jobless

June 2009

% jobless

July 2008 % jobless
Bartow 40,388 5,829 12.6% 12.5% 7.2%
Chattooga 9,384 1,324 12.4% 13.1% 8.9%
Floyd 43,932 5,613 11.3% 11.3% 7.2%
Gordon 22,246 3,579 13.9% 13.5% 7.5%
Polk 18.982 2,407 11.3% 11.2% 6.7%
State 4,298,003 510,102 10.6% 10.4% 6.6%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

-The positive in the July jobless report is that the rise in unemployment slowed in three counties. Floyd stabilized at 11.3 percent; and Chattooga saw a meaningful decline.

-But don't tell that to Gordon County where the jobless rate climbed to 13.9 percent compared to the statewide average of 10.6 percent. In July 2008, Gordon's unemployment rate stood at 7.5 percent.

-In Bartow County, more than 5,800 people were jobless last month, 12.6 percent of the labor force. Bartow, like Polk, saw a slight increase in the jobless rate vs. June.

-State overview: The year-over-year losses came in manufacturing, trade, transportation and warehousing, professional and business services, including temporary employment agencies, and construction. Healthcare, private educational services, and local and state governmental education showed a combined increase of 19,600 jobs.

-What's next: Perhaps a state jobless rate of 11 percent in coming months, according to a state expert (below).

-Where to find help, hope: Shorter career fair set for Sept. 24> Details

2) GSU economist: Free fall over; 'tepid' recovery in 2011

Rajeev Dhawan, director of Georgia State's economic forecasting center, told an audience at Berry College last spring he wouldn't "sugar coat" his predictions. He didn't then or on Wednesday when he told an Atlanta audience to expect a "tepid" recovery in 2011. Some key points:

-The state's jobless rate will rise to 11 percent before recovering.Dr. Rajeev Dhawan

-Georgia's job losses will top 205,000 this calendar year with 44,000 more in 2010.

-We'll gain 60,000 jobs in 2011. But that means less than 25 percent of the jobs lost to the recession will come back in 2011.
-Of those 205,000 jobs lost this year, at least 130,000 of them will be Atlanta-based followed by another 22,000-plus in 2010.
-Citing 16 bank failures so far in Georgia, Dhawan says more are pending. Georgia accounts for 25 percent of the failed banks in U.S.

-The lack of housing starts, curtailed government spending on the state and local levels, and the economy overall will continue to hit Georgia, he says. Bright spots?:
-Something of a thaw beginning in the credit markets.
-A drop in unemployment insurance claims is being seen
-And there's an increase in consumer confidence.

-For expanded details, please click Economic Forecast

Bartow County Crimewatch/Arrest reports from the Bartow County Sheriff's Office:

>Two charged in Taylorsville church break-in: (Media release) Investigators have concluded the investigation into a burglary at a Taylorsville church. Bethel Crossroads Baptist Church reported the break-in on Aug. 4.  According to Sheriff Clark Millsap, investigators have charged Brandon Lee Spires 17, of 142 John Kay Road, Taylorsville, and a juvenile with one count each of burglary. The two allegedly damaged the inside of the fellowship hall and Sunday school rooms by breaking light bulbs, spraying fire extinguishers and breaking an interior door. Food and drink items were also taken from the Church. Investigators received information from the public which led them to the two individuals being charged. Spires is being held in the Bartow County Jail on a $10,000 bond. The Juveniles name is being withheld in accordance with Georgia Law.

>Two held in burglary, theft cases: (Media release) Investigators have arrested two Cartersville men on charges relating to several recent burglary and theft investigations. According to Sheriff Clark Millsap, investigators have charged Anthony Duane Williams, 26, of Cartersville with two counts of burglary; and Joshua Lee Ross, 21, of Cartersville with one count of burglary. Both men are charged for an Aug. 17 residential burglary at 54 Willow Bend Drive in Cartersville.

-According to the initial reports, the resident at that address came home and interrupted the burglary when a dark vehicle laid "drags" leaving at a high rate of speed. Items such as jewelry, checks, a credit card, and personal papers were stolen. Many items were recovered in possession of Williams, who is currently incarcerated in Paulding County Jail.  Williams also is charged in a burglary reported Aug. 18 at 64 Jim Lane in Cartersville. A 12-year-old caught Williams in his living room attempting to take a gaming system and television. Williams fled the scene prior to deputies arriving.  There are several other incidents involving Williams under investigation in multiple jurisdictions and more charges are expected, with details to be released upon conclusion of those cases. Ross is being held at the Bartow County Jail pending a bond hearing and Williams is incarcerated at Paulding County Jail on other charges and awaiting transfer to Bartow County Jail to face these charges.

New way to get your high school, Shorter updates:

Get high school, Shorter football scores via HometownScores on Twitter

Starting Friday night, we'll send high school scores to whatever address you want using your Twitter account. That includes Shorter Hawks' games as well. First reports this Friday. For more information, including simple steps on joining Twitter, click Football Report

Health:

-CDC site features additional swine flu updates; map of outbreaks> Click

-Links to upcoming health events in our area> Healthy Living

Campus Headlines

-A look inside Welcome Week at Shorter College> Campus

-Shorter's annual convocation set for Friday> Details

-Berry welcomes students back for new, different year> Berry

-Shorter College's music department Faculty Arts Gala is Monday> Click

-Berry's Dr. Azar-Dickens goes for Ironman Triathlon Sunday> Campus

Dining & Drink

-Public health restaurant inspection scores for this week> Dining

-Ahead at North Georgia wineries: big event at Chateau Elan> Wine

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-Aug. 29:Chattahoochee Technical College Men's Basketball Tryouts set: Registration begins at 1 p.m., the session at 2 p.m. at JH Morgan Gym at the Summer Hill Education Complex. 129 Aubrey St., Cartersville. It is open to unsigned players, ages 18 and up, who are looking to play college basketball. There is no charge to tryout. Contact: David Archer, Jr. at 770-606-3764 (cell) or darcher@chattahoocheetech.edu

-Sept. 3: Cartersville City Council meeting. 6 p.m. work session, 7 p.m. regular meeting. Hear the meeting live on WBHF 1450 AM or here via Web cast on Bartow Headlines.

-Sept. 4-7: 2009 Pioneer Days Festival set for Sept. 4-7> Click

-Sept. 11: Relay for Life, Survivors Dinner set for Friday, Sept. 11> Survivors

-Sept. 17: Cartersville City Council meeting. 6 p.m. work session, 7 p.m. regular meeting. Hear the meeting live on WBHF 1450 AM or here via Web cast on Bartow Headlines.

-Sept. 19: Humane Society plans Casino Night benefit> Click

-Sept. 22: Martha Lanier's 'Power of Choice' set: American Red Cross and Cartersville OB/GYN present "The Power of Choice" with Martha Lanier on Tuesday, Sept. 22,at the Cartersville Civic Center. A dessert reception will be held at 6 p.m. with the program beginning at 7. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance at the Red Cross office or by calling 770-382-0981.

-Oct. 29: The chamber's 2009 Business Expo, "Keeping Business in Bartow," which will be at The Church at Liberty Square. Area businesses are encouraged to participate in the event to showcase and sell their products and services. Booth sign-up is under way at the chamber.

Latest weather:
-Thursday: High of 85, low of 67. Rain chance: 60%

-Friday: High of 85, low of 65. Rain chance: 50%, then 20%.

-Your extended forecast> Weather / Local radar > Radar

Rome Braves' updates:

-Braves turn to rally; Rome wins 5-4 in the ninth

-Braves in Charleston tonight; then Savannah through Sunday.
-Last home stand of the year:  Aug. 31-Sept. 4.

-Mills Fitzner's latest game pictures
> Gallery

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable

-Countdown to kickoff:  Looking at the SEC East, there are no easy wins for anybody but neither are they anybody's patsy

The Football Report.

-John McClellan's first full week of picks includes these previews:

-Look for wins for Pepperell, Calhoun, Cartersville, Armuchee, Chattooga, Cedartown, Coosa.

-Rome to lose nail-biter to East Paulding; Darlington, Model to start 0-1.

New way to get your high school, Shorter updates:

Get high school, Shorter football scores via HometownScores on Twitter

Starting Friday night, we'll send high school scores to whatever address you want using your Twitter account. That includes Shorter Hawks' games as well. First reports this Friday. For more information, including simple steps on joining Twitter, click Football Report

No comments: