Bartow's jobless rate dips slightly; signs of hope on recovery?

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March jobless numbers high but 'fledgling recovery may be gaining traction'

	March 2010 Employed	March 2010 Unemployed	March '10 % jobless	Feb. 2010 % jobless	March '09 % jobless
Bartow	39,835	5,517	12.2%	12.7%	10.7%
Chattooga	9,000	1,463	14.0%	12.4%	13.7%
Floyd	43,964	5,356	10.9%	10.8%	9.3%
Gordon	20,971	3,359	13.8%	14.1%	11.9%
Polk	18,623	2,373	11.3%	11.2%	9.9%
State	4,192,977	509,353	10.8%	10.8%	9.1%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor. County-by-county results> Click

-Local overview: Let's get the bad news out of the way first. Northwest Georgia counties continued to see unemployment rates from almost 11 to 14 percent. Bartow and Gordon counties saw a slight February-to-March drop while slight increases were posted in Floyd and Polk counties. Chattooga soared to 14 percent. All five counties were up in March vs. the same month in 2009.

-The bottom line:18,000-plus Northwest Georgians were looking for jobs last month.

-From the labor department: The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to a record 10.6 percent in March, up from 10.5 percent reported in February and from 9 percent a year earlier. For 30 consecutive months, Georgia's unemployment rate has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which was 9.7 percent in March.
-On the plus side: Georgia's job market continues to show modest improvement as the number of payroll jobs in March increased by 10,500. The gains came mostly in seasonal leisure and hospitality industries, along with trade, transportation and public utilities.
-On the minus side: The total number of payroll jobs decreased 112,300, or 2.9 percent. Losses came in manufacturing, construction, trade, transportation and utilities, along with financial activities and professional and business services.  
-Says state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond: "Georgia's unemployment rate continues to rise, however, the pace of new layoffs is slowing significantly. More importantly, our state has experienced modest job growth for two consecutive months, suggesting that a fledgling recovery may be gaining traction."

Cartersville woman wins $257,400 Fantasy 5 jackpot

(Media release) While getting ready for work, a Cartersville woman discovered a fabulous Fantasy 5 prize. Tracy Earwood, 47, is one of two players each to win a $257,400 jackpot prize from the April 12 Fantasy 5 drawing. Earwood was getting dressed for work while her husband, Terry, checked her Quik Pik ticket with the winning numbers on the Georgia Lottery's Web site.  "He said, 'Tracy, you need to get in here,' " she recalled. "At first I told him I didn't have time but I went in there." Ecstatic, she ran all around the house. "It was just unreal," she said. The winning numbers: 4-15-19-21-39. Get N Fly Food Mart, 786 W. Ave. in Cartersville, sold the winning ticket. Considering her windfall an "awesome" prize, Earwood intends to pay off her home mortgage. Get N Fly Food Mart will share a $10,000 retailer incentive bonus.

-PowerBall jackpot jumps to $212 million Saturday night. Wednesday's numbers: 06-14-32-38-52 and PowerBall 20> Lottery

Rome Braves drop second game in a row: 6-2 loss to Greenvllle> Sports

Thursday's Buzz:

-United Hospice brings tomato gardens to seniors, assisted living> Health

-Rise 'N Shine Organic Farm in North Floyd brings more organics to local 'share holders'> Business

-CRBI competing for grants from winery: Redwood Creek Wine's Greater Outdoors Project is offering $140,000 in nonprofit grants to 10 organizations that share its mission to preserve, protect and provide access to the great outdoors. Among those up for consideration is Coosa River Basin Initiative. The grand prize is $50,000 grant; the nine remaining finalists will take home $10,000 each. To vote, register at the following site: Here

Weather: Some rain, cooler temps on the way this weekend

-Thursday: Sunny, high of 82.

-Thursday night: Mostly clear, low of 50.

-Friday: High of 84.

-Friday night: Low of 50. 

-Extended forecast> Click  / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-If a beef jerky company jerks you around, it means you're a jerk.   

Rome Braves> Sports

-Tonight at Greenville. First home game: April 16 vs. Savannah.

-Fast Ryde to sing anthem at Rome Braves' home opener Friday.

-Pete Van Wieren to throw ceremonial first pitch.

-Rome Braves' single-game tickets on sale.

-Braves announced 2010 promotional schedule.

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-April 15: Cartersville City Council, 9 a.m. (new time) Hear it live on WBHF 1450 AM or Web cast here on Bartow Headlines. > Agenda