In Chattooga and Walker Counties more than a thousand people were added to the rolls of those “unemployed” according to the latest numbers from the Georgia Department of Labor

February figures show that Chattooga County experienced an unusually sharp increase of 4.2% in the month of February, jumping from 5.9 to 10.1%; meanwhile that rate in Walker County jumped to 7.5%, an increase of 1.8%.

In response to questions regarding that huge increase in the numbers Georgia Department of Labor officials said they were due to the larger than normal layoffs, in the manufacturing sector affecting both Chattooga and Walker counties adversely.

Other counties didn’t escape unscathed with Dade and Catoosa also seeing a slight increase in unemployment.

(WQCH)

Monday, March 28th through Friday, April 1st is the “Spring Break” for students at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

Kellie Holbrook with AM1180 spoke with Ann Crim of Sloppy Floyd State Park's "Friends of the Park" group.  

Crim was excited with the turn out for this year’s Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday and says she looks forward to next year’s event.

This is the third year that the group has held this community event at the park.

This year they reported an attendance of about 250 kids ranging in age from 1 to 12 taking part in the Egg hunt.  Each child that picked up five eggs received a prize; there were also seven golden eggs hidden, with each being turned in for a special prize.

Age categories were for 1-4; 5-8; and 9-12 years of age.

The Friends of the Park will be holding the First Full Moon Paddle coming up April 22nd.

Stay tuned to AM1180 for an upcoming interview with more information on this event.

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One beer drinker recently made it clear that he will only drink beer which meets his high standards – and these two requirements – that it be COLD and FREE.

According to Lafayette Police reports, 44 year old Darin Lamar Henderson was caught on a video surveillance taking an single can of beer from the cooler and then stuffing it down the front of his pants before walking out of the store without paying.

Cold?  Check.

Free?  Check.

Mission accomplished.  At least for a little while; Henderson was found a short time later in an abandoned house just down the street, asleep.  He was taken into custody and charged with Theft by Shoplifting.

A witness said they saw the man walking down the street drinking the beer.

(WQCH)

The former Pear-Pine Trailer Park in Walker County is being cleared and the property will be sold for new use; that, according to Lafayette City Manager David Hamilton.

He said the mortgage holder, a credit union, is in the process of foreclosing on the owner of the trailer park, located just off Highway 27 at Jessie Drive in North Lafayette.

Failure to pay City of Lafayette water bills reportedly resulted in the park being cut off; that in turn led to condemnation proceedings which forced tenants to leave their rented homes.

The City has yet to be paid that overdue water bill, which had exceeded the $10,000 mark.

Hamilton says he believes the property will be sold by the lender, adding that the property is zoned as residential.  However, it is eligible to be re-zoned for business use.

(WQCH)

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This week’s Service with a Smile winner is Paulette Pickle from Duff’s Florist. 

Paulette was nominated by Sue Gilley because she went above and beyond the call of duty when Mrs. Gilley’s car broke down while she was Duff’s. 

Ms. Pickle followed her to the repair shop and then gave her a ride home to Menlo. 

Thanks, Paulette.  We appreciate people like you.

If you know someone who deserves the "Service with a Smile" award contact the Chattooga County Extension office at 706-857-0744 or email to uge1055@uga.edu.