The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that the unemployment rate in the Northwest Georgia region declined to 8.3 percent in March, down five-tenths of a percentage point from 8.8 percent in February. The rate was 9.2 percent in March a year ago.

The rate declined because the number of unemployed people decreased to 34,074, down by 2,088 from 36,162 in February. There were fewer new layoffs, which were represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits. Claims fell by 180 from 4,768 in February to 4,588 in March. The decreases came mostly in construction, wholesale trade, transportation, and warehousing, along with administrative and support services.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.9 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 10.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March was 8.4 percent, down from 8.6 percent in February. The rate was 9.1 percent in March a year ago. 

The Chattooga County Young Farmers are

taking orders for Vidalia onions

that will be delivered the 2nd week of May

To order call: 256 523 1468

The Cherokee Regional Mustang club is expanding their membership. 
If you own a Mustang or are just a fan of the Mustang and
would like to join the family oriented clubyou are invited to join. Meetings are the second Monday of
each month in Calhoun.    For more information
call 706-506-2106 or go online at 
  
Click here for Cherokee Mustang Club  
  

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Listed on the April 25 Arrest Report:

David Lee Criswell — Failure to appear

David Lee Daniel — Battery/FVA; Cruelty to children/3rd degree; Probation violation

Steven Lanier Dooley — Failure to appear

Lisa Ann Hampton– Probation violation

Avron Travis Holmes — Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Timothy Seth Lloid — child safety restraint violation/X2; driving with suspended/revoked license; dui/multiple substances;  dui/child endangerment/X2; failure to maintain a single lane; use of license plate to misrepresent/conceal vehicle identity; VGCSA/ possession of methamphetamine; theft by taking; burglary

Alisha Pauline Marks — no charges listed

Kristin Brooke Matthews — VGCSA/ possession of methamphetamine

Joshua Leigh Merle — probation violation

Robert Franklin Sizemore– VGCSA/ possession of meth

Latasha Rose Waddle — VGCSA/ possession of meth

Eric Obrian Burke — Simple assault/FVA

Maria Veronica Flores — Driving without valid license/ expired license

James Robert Hedgecoth — Driving with suspended license; suspended/cancelled registration

Melissa Bernice Kay — Failure to appear

Michael Lee Pickle — Failure to appear

Martez Lamarr Sumler — Driving with suspended/revoked license; failure to maintain a single lane

Javier Felipe Tomas — Driving without a valid license/expired license; suspended/cancelled registration

Tammie Denise Willbanks — disorderly conduct

Paul Byran Wilson — good behavior

Under new legislation signed by the Governor on Wednesday, more technical college students will qualify for the hope grant.

The bill returns the qualifying grade point to 2.0. It was raised to 3.0 two years ago, because of declining revenue. In the following years, there was a drop in technical college enrollment.

Governor Nathan Deal's office said recent growth in lottery revenue will cover the five-eight-million dollar cost of lowering the grand point requirement, qualifying more students for the Hope Grant.

Deal said, "We need more college or technical college degrees in order to attract and fill the jobs of tomorrow."

 THIS WEEK the Hospital Authority  announced its support of plans by Catoosa and Walker counties to back consolidation of Hutcheson Hospital's debt through the issuance of bonds.

They also agreed to explore alternative long term operating strategies, including leasing the Fort Oglethorpe operation to a hospital entity.

Hutcheson reported a loss for the month of March, but that was expected, according to CEO Roger Forgey. Earnings for March reflect a 1.6 million dollar improvement over the same month a year ago. It's the fourth consecutive month that the hospital has performed "better than budget."   

A Highway 27 Storage unit was reported burglarized on Wednesday. According to the Sheriff's Department report, three people apparently had items in the unit. Dustin Cochran and Deanna Kriner reported stolen: a Nintendo 64 with games, and two baby beds with mattresses. Theresa Padgett reported stolen: a curio cabinet, and washer and dryer.  Padgett said the last time the items were seen inside the unit was about a month ago. Entry was gained by breaking a lock on the storage building. The incident was turned over to investigators. 

An Airport Road outbuilding was reported burglarized Sunday.

According to the report, the lock was forced off the door during the night. The only thing reported missing was a gas can valued at $20. The investigation is ongoing.