Right now, 138 thousand Georgians receive a paper check for federal benefits. But, that all changes on March 1 of this year. The Treasury Department is urging Social Security and other federal benefit recipients to switch now to either direct deposit or the direct express debit Mastercard. Switching to an electronic payment is not an option, it's the law. Switching is free and easy. all 1-800-333-1795. Concerting all social security checks to direct deposit is expected to save the government a billion dollars over the next 10 years. Before you call, gather your information, including social security number or claim number, the 12-digit federal benefit check number, and the amount of the most recent check. If choosing direct deposit, you'll also need your bank's routing transit number, your account number and account type. There are no fees to receive benefits electronically. 

Listed on the January 18 Arrest Report at the Chattooga County Jail are:

Drucilla Patrice Price, Summerville — Theft by Receiving Stolen Property

Brenda Gayle Wessom. Summerville — Theft by Shoplifting

Gregory Williamson, Summerville– Failure to Appear 

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 8.6 percent in December, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 8.5 percent in November. The rate was 9.4 percent in December a year ago. 

“The unemployment rate ticked up slightly because of a combination of factors,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “We had a modest increase in new layoffs, along with a small job loss driven primarily by seasonal layoffs in education. Basically, the December numbers are flat, but even so, this is the best November to December job market report since 2007.

“The most important thing to remember from this report is that our unemployment rate is much lower, the pace of new layoffs slower, and the number of jobs significantly larger than a year ago,” Butler continued. “Our economy has definitely improved in the past year.” 

While the number of jobs decreased by 400 to 3,985,800 in December, it rose by 70,200, or 1.8 percent, from 3,915,600 in December 2011. Most of the over-the-year job growth came in professional and business services, 26,000; trade, transportation, and warehousing, 17,300; education and health care, 12,700; leisure and hospitality, 12,100; and manufacturing 11,800.

“In December, there were 362,800 manufacturing jobs in Georgia, which is the most since April 2009,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “More than 15,000 of those jobs have been created since December 2010. After years of decline, the growth we’ve had over the past two years indicates that Georgia’s manufacturing base is alive and beginning to thrive again. This is a great step closer to making Georgia the No. 1 place in the country to do business.” 

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits increased to 50,861, up by 3,510, or 7.4 percent, from 47,351 in November. Most of the increase came in manufacturing, construction, wholesale trade, and administrative and support services. However, the number of initial claims was down by 12,853, or 20.2 percent, over the year, dropping from 63,714 in December 2011. Most of the over-the-year decline came in accommodations and food services, manufacturing, administrative and support services, construction, and retail trade.

Georgia’s labor force grew by 4,159, reaching 4,804,459 in December, its highest level since February 2009. The labor force has grown by 64,384, or 1.4 percent, from 4,740,075 in December 2011. 

The number of long-term unemployed workers declined by 7,600 to 195,000 in December, its lowest level in 34 months. The long-term unemployed—those out of work for more than 26 weeks—make up 47.1 percent of those unemployed in Georgia. 

Connect with us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter @GeorgiaDOL. You can access all pages via our website at www.dol.state.ga.us. 

A Gordon County man was shot and killed by Sheriff's Deputies Wednesday when he refused to drop a rifle he was holding. Allen Ott, of Kingston, had allegedly threatened to kill his wife. Deputies were dispatched to a home on Dews Pond Road, near Calhoun, to stop the altercation. When ordered to put down the rifle, 48-year-old Ott is reported to have ignored officers and allegedly pointed the rifle at them.  He was shot twice, according to Sheriff Mitch Ralston, and died at the scene. The GBI is handling the investigation.

A Georgia-based restaurant firm says suspicious computer files have been found at some of its locations, prompting it to warn customers about the potential for fraud.

Zaxby's Franchising Inc. said in a statement that the suspicious files may have resulted in unauthorized access to credit and debit card information at more than 100 stores.

The Athens-based firm says the affected stores are in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Virginia.

Company officials say the issue involves malware files, which could have been used to export guest names and credit and debit card numbers. The company says it notified law enforcement of the potential criminal activity. Zaxby's says a forensic investigation hasn't determined whether credit or debit card data left the processing systems of any stores.

Sen. Barry Loudermilk (R- Cassville) held a press conference Thursday to announce the filing of Senate Resolution 28. If passed, this joint resolution will mark the first official acknowledgement of the injustices of slavery and an official expression of regret and remorse for the condoning of the institution of slavery in Georgia.

“The injustices brought on by the institution of slavery in our state's past stands in stark opposition to the principles on which this nation was founded. According to our founding documents, the sole responsibility of government is to preserve the God-given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” said Sen. Loudermilk. “The filing of today’s Freedom Resolution represents an important first step for our state, in recognizing the reprehensible act of slavery, and to bring reconciliation among the people of this great state.”

The practice of slavery was sanctioned, condoned and perpetuated through the laws of the state from 1751 until the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution on December 18, 1865.

Since the abolition of slavery, there have been several attempts by the General Assembly to apologize for Georgia’s previous involvement in slavery. Most recently, HR 295 was filed in the House of Representatives in 2009, but never made it to the floor for a vote.

“I am optimistic that my colleagues in both chambers will recognize the significance of this resolution, and we will work together in a strong bipartisan effort to pass it in this legislative session,” said Sen. Loudermilk. “Many people have worked together in drafting this resolution, including legislators, Georgia citizens and members of the clergy.”

On the federal level, the U.S. House of Representatives was the first branch of government to formally issue an apology for slavery. Shortly thereafter, the following states issued apologies or expressed regret for their involvement in slavery: Connecticut, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey.