State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced Friday that the Georgia Department of Labor will provide assistance to workers who are out of work as a result of the tornado that struck Adairsville Wednesday.

Butler said the GDOL’s Cartersville Career Center will establish and staff two temporary assistance centers in Adairsville where employment-related services will be provided to victims of the storm. They will be able to file claims for unemployment insurance benefits and, if necessary, get assistance in searching for a new job.

Employees of the Daiki Corporation, which was heavily damaged by the tornado, will be served at a temporary center in the North Pointe Church at 30 Orchard Rd. The temporary center will be open Wednesday, Feb. 6, from 9 a.m-12 noon and 1-3 p.m. Company officials say about 80 employees will be out of work while the plant is rebuilt, which is expected to take a minimum of six months.

A second temporary assistance center will be set up to assist all others whose work has been affected by the storm. It will be at the United Community Bank at 7400 Hwy. 140 N.W. It will be open on Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 5 and 7, and again on Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 12, and 14. The hours of operation will be 9 a.m-12 noon and 1-4 p.m.

The Cartersville Career Center is located at 19 Felton Place, Cartersville. The telephone number for people who may need additional information is (770) 387-3760.

Gordon County emergency officials indicated Thurs­day that approximately 500 buildings were damaged by Wednesday’s tornado, an estimated 400 of those were single-family homes. 

The tornado touched down in the area of the Farmville and Sonoraville communities, according to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. 

It reportedly passed within 50 yards of Sonoraville High School on Wednesday. Gordon County schools were closed Thursday and Friday.

Sonoraville High School has become the unofficial donation hub in the community. 

The Gordon County Chamber of Commerce donated food from its annual banquet to those who lost their homes.

At 10 p.m. Friday North Georgia EMC crews replaced the last pole and all power was restored to it's customers impacted by Wednesday's tornado in Gordon County. 

Berry College accounting students will offer free tax assistance beginning Friday, Feb. 8 to families and individuals with moderate levels of income.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is designed by the IRS to assist families to complete their annual tax returns free of charge. This marks the fourth year that Berry has offered the student-operated program. Through VITA, students acquire firsthand experience with tax preparation and client relationships in addition to continuously researching and getting familiar with changing tax laws.

To make an appointment, please email freetaxes@berry.edu or call (706) 236-2233. Hours of operation are Fridays from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11a.m.- 4 p.m. in the Campbell School of Business, Room 109.

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The Georgia House of Representatives has passed a proposal that would allow the state to avoid losing more than $450 million in federal money for Medicaid has cleared another legislative hurdle.

The chamber voted 147 to 18 for Gov. Nathan Deal's plan that would allow an appointed state board to impose a tax on Georgia hospitals' net patient revenue. The assessment would replace an existing tax that expires June 30. The money is used as state match money to secure additional federal financing for the Medicaid insurance program.

Senate Bill 24 now goes back to the Senate for final consideration of the House changes.

Deal pitched the measure as a way for lawmakers to avoid an explicit vote on extending a tax, while still avoiding steep health care cuts.

A Hays Prison inmate was transported to a Rome hospital this morning after reportedly suffering a seizure. The inmate is expected to be fine.

AM1180 received reports of a Redmond Regional ambulance going through downtown this morning followed by a Hays CI van.

Again, being transported was an inmate with medical issues, reportedly a seizure, according to a very reliable source.

AM1180 wouldn't normally report this story, however with the recent violence that has occurred at this prison we feel it is neccessary to do so at this time to keep the community at ease.

Department of Corrections personnel are currently at the prison reviewing procedures and protocol, as well as addressing several issues, including broken/jammed locking mechanisms on cell doors. 

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The Town of Trion is seeking lawn care bids for the First Street and West Hill cemeteries for 2013.

The deadline to submit a bid is February 22.

Bid packages are available at the Trion Town Hall, 1220 Pine Street, Trion. 

Charles Jackson, MD  will be the keynote speaker at the Chattooga County of Commerce Luncheon this month. Jackson is a Harbin Clinic board certified cardiologist who has been on staff with Harbin since July 2012.

The Chamber luncheon is set for noon Feburary 5 at the Chattooga County Civic Center.  The Cost is $10. The deadline to RSVP is February 4. For more information or to register,  contact the chamber at info@chattoogachamber.org or call 706-857-4033.

After the luncheon, a short meeting of chamber members will be held, according to Chamber Director David Tidmore. 

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