The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported today that the unemployment rate in the Coosa Valley area rose to a preliminary unadjusted rate of 8.4 percent in December, up 3.9 percentage points over the year from December of 2007. The jobless rate in the Coosa Valley area rose nine-tenths of one percentage point from a revised 7.5 percent in November.

Meanwhile, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 8.1 percent in December, the highest rate in almost 26 years. The jobless rate was up 3.6 percentage points from 4.5 percent at this same time last year. The December unemployment rate was up seven-tenths of one percentage point from a revised 7.4 percent in November.

The last time Georgia posted a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at this level was in March of 1983 when the rate was also 8.1 percent. The state rate remained above the national rate of 7.2 percent for the 11th straight month. At present, 393,168 unemployed Georgians are looking for work. Of that number, 156,719, or 40 percent, are drawing unemployment insurance benefits.

Over the last year, the number of payroll jobs decreased 121,800 or 2.9 percent. Jobs were lost in manufacturing, construction, and trade, along with professional and business services, including temporary employment agencies. Jobs were added in health care, education, and with the federal government.

The local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us. 

The Chattoogaville VFD, INC. will hold its Annual Membership meeting on Feb. 5th, 2009 at the Firehall. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p. m. and the community is welcome.
 

Mrs. Leatha Johnson Richie, age 85, of Summerville, GA died Wednesday, January 28, 2009. Mrs. Richie was born April 20, 1923 in Caves Spring, GA, the daughter of the late Rufus Andrew and Annie Mae Highfield Johnson. She was a member of the Summerville First Baptist Church. She was co-owner and operator of Richie’s Clothing Store for 53 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Marion “Jim” Richie. Survivors include nephew, Larry (Connie Johnson) Howard, Summerville, GA; nieces, Carol Johnson (Murray) McCann, Rome, GA, Anna Howard, New, GA, Connie Huff, Johnson City, TN, Karen (J. D.) Page, Penny (Carl) Wilson, Donna (Dave) Dittman, all of Houston, TX, sister, Ava Johnson (Sol) Dittman, Houston, TX, nine Great Nieces and Nephews; 12 Great-great Nieces and Nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a. m. Friday, January 30, 2009 at Summerville Cemetery with Rev. David Moore and Dr. Kenneth Summey officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Heyman Hospice Care, P. O. Box 163, Rome GA, 30162 or the American Cancer Society.

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IN THE WEEKLY CATTLE SALE AT THE FT. PAYNE STOCKYARD YESTERDAY, RECEIPTS WERE 1168 HEAD.

GOOD AND CHOICE FEEDER BULL AND STEER CALVES WEIGHING 200 TO 200 POUNDS BROUGHT $1.17 TO $1.32.  300 TO 400 POUNDS BROUGHT $1.05 TO $1.17.  400 TO 500 POUNDS BROUGHT 89 CENTS TO $1.06.  500 TO 600 POUNDS, 79 CENTS TO 95 CENTS AND 600 TO 800 POUNDS 74 CENTS TO 88 CENTS PER POUND.

GOOD AND CHOICE FEEDER HEIFER CALVES WEIGHING 200 TO 300 POUNDS BROUGHT 97 CENTS TO $1.02.  300 TO 400 POUNDS BROUGHT 85 CENTS TO 92 CENTS.  400 TO 500 POUNDS BROUGHT 76 CENTS TO 92 CENTS.  500 TO 600 POUNDS BROUGHT 74 CENTS TO 83 CENTS AND 600 TO 700 POUNDS BROUGHT 72 CENTS TO 79 CENTS PER POUND.

BREAKER COWS BROUGHT UP TO 48.50 CENTS PER POUND

BONER COWS BROUGHT UP TO 54.00 CENTS PER POUND

LEAN COWS BROUGHT UP TO 45.00 CENTS PER POUND

HIGH DRESSING BULLS BROUGHT UP TO 63.25 CENTS PER POUND

Patricia Jenkins of Sand Rock, AL

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Chattooga County Commissioner Jason Winters will hold the first of the public monthly meetings beginning tommorrow evening at 6 PM at the Courthouse Annex in Summerville.

Winters said that he plans for the meetings to be informative to the public and give county residents a picture of what is going on in the county.  Winters said that after the meeting there will be time for questions and answers for the public.

LaFayette, Ga. — Trial began Monday in Walker County for a man charged with numerous violations of the Georgia Meat Inspection Act.Ricky Charles Bobo is named in a 26-count indictment that asserts he participated in the sale and distribution of uninspected and adulterated commercial meat products.Walker County District Attorney Herbert “Buzz” Franklin described the case involving meat product regulations.He said the case covers more than a year of offenses that were uncovered during an investigation begun when Georgia Department of Agriculture personnel discovered uninspected meat at a retail store in January 2006.Defense attorney Steven Ellis said during his opening statement, “This is not a normal criminal case.”Mr. Ellis and Chuck Clements are defending Mr. Bobo in Superior Court.Mr. Bobo, who bought and sold live animals, would buy beef, goats and sheep for individuals, his attorneys said. On their behalf, he delivered the animals to a slaughter house on Lookout Mountain in Walker County, Ga., the lawyers said.The defense contends these sales were to individuals for personal use, not for resale, and that Mr. Bobo was not responsible for slaughter and processing of animals.Mr. Franklin told the jurors that any meat intended for personal use must be stamped “not for sale” and never should be available at retail stores. The prosecution contends the slaughterhouse sold meat without inspection, without proper labeling or record keeping and that Mr. Bobo participated in the business’s operation and delivery of its product.“Mr. Bobo was acting as a sales agent,” the district attorney said.Superior Court Judge Kristina Cook Connelly told jurors to expect a fairly convoluted presentation of facts and that the trial probably will last all week. Chattanooga Times – Free Press

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