Split report on Adequate Yearly Progress scores in our area:

-All Calhoun City Schools made AYP. For more, click Calhoun

-Sonoraville High, Middle schools do not make AYP. For more, click Gordon

Business

Eagle Rock to merge Rome, Dalton distributorships -- but who goes where? Two years ago, Eagle Rock Distributing Co. bought Simpson Grocery, the local Anheuser-Busch distributor, and did the same with Dalton's A-B distributor in February. Now "available" signs are in front of both locations as Eagle Rock seeks to combine the two into one location. The current option, says Vice President Fred Millard, is to sell or lease one location and to consolidate in the remaining site. Rome's operations could go to Dalton or vice versa. Then, once the economy settles, Eagle Rock will look at what's the best final strategy for locating the combined operation, he says. At the time of the purchase, the Rome distributor had 75 employees and was moving two million cases  a year s in Northwest Georgia, controlling 60 percent of the market, a Business Chronicle story shows.

State jobless rate soars to record 10.1% in June, an 'economic crisis'

We're days away from seeing the county-by-county stats but the state jobless rate is staggering enough. A record 10.1 percent of Georgia's labor force was idle last month, up from 9.6 percent in May. Says Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond's release: “Georgia is in the midst of a deepening economic crisis.”

- 483,394 unemployed Georgians were looking for work, an increase of 65 percent from June 2008. Of that number, 160,249, or 33 percent, are receiving state unemployment insurance benefits while 93,000 are getting federal extended benefits. 
-In June 2008, the unemployment rate was 6.1 percent.

-Biggest losers: The number of payroll jobs in June decreased 209,500, or 5.1 percent, from June 2008. The over-the-year losses came in professional and business services, including temporary employment agencies, manufacturing, trade, transportation and warehousing, and in the construction industry.
-Biggest gainers: Healthcare and educational services, up 12,000 jobs.
-Says Thurmond: “Georgia leaders should develop a bipartisan recovery plan that focuses on three critical elements: protecting vulnerable citizens, including children, the elderly, and the sick; preserving our health, safety, and educational institutions; and encouraging economic development investments that promote job creation and future prosperity.”

Politics

Gingrey to Pelosi--where are the jobs? U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey spoke on the House floor Tuesday, questioning Speaker Nancy Pelosi about the success of the Economic Stimulus bill given the June unemployment statistics which revealed a 25-year high 9.5 percent jobless rate. Watch it on YouTube.

Weather

-Wednesday: High of 94, low of 73. 20% rain chance.

-Thursday: 50% chance of rain, high of 90; low of 70; 40% chance of rain.

-Your extended forecast> Weather / Local radar > Radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable

-Be sure to clip this story to use later: Urban Meyer isn't going to Notre Dame  --- ever

Rome Braves' updates:

-Braves get the W, win 3-2 over Grasshoppers.

-Today: Rome vs. Greensboro; 1 p.m. game

-Latest Braves' photo gallery by Mills Fitzner> Gallery

What's ahead in Gordon County:

-July 17: The Infinity Show Band, 7-10 p.m., Concerts in the Park

-July 20: Gordon County Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m., board offices.

-July 20-31: Everything you need to know about enrollment/registration for Calhoun City Schools> Click here

-July 21: Gordon County Commission meeting.

-July 31: Chamber booster breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Belmont Baptist Church> chamber

-Aug. 10: Gordon County Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m.,  Sonoraville Middle School.

-Aug. 22: Movies & Moonlight, "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," Sonoraville Recreation Complex> Details

This week on The Buzz:

-'Spring training' starts for candidates, parties a year out from the primary.

-Family affair: Sibling sisters, husband help power key local non-profits.

-Three-Dot Buzz: Media, movies and meetings.

-Peaks & Valleys: Untimely farewells: Sharp, Hemphill, Francoeur.

5 students awarded scholarships from Gordon Hospital Foundation Board> Click

Anita Russell inducted into 'Best of the Best Club'

(Media release) Gordon Home Care is pleased to announce that PI Coordinator Anita Russell was recently inducted into the “Best of the Best Club.”

According to Tracy Farriba, RN, director of Gordon Home Care, membership into this special club is for reserved Gordon Home Care employees who exhibit Gordon Hospital’s mission in providing the highest quality in patient care through their daily actions.

“Anita has captured the hearts of her peers,” Farriba said. “She has embraced her role as PI Coordinator at Gordon Home Care and works well with her team members. She is a ‘mover and a shaker,’ takes pride in her work, and definitely goes the extra mile to help others in the office. We are glad she is back in home care.”

Russell received her LPN degree from Kaw Area Vo-Tech in Topeka, Kansas in 1975. After moving to Georgia in 1982 and taking a break from nursing for two years, she returned to school at Floyd College, where she earned her associate’s degree in nursing in 1987. She has been employed by Gordon Hospital for 16 years.

“I feel very honored to be receiving this award,” Russell said. “I feel everyone at Gordon Home Care deserves this recognition. We have a great staff, which genuinely cares about the patients we serve. We are truly a team here and that is what makes this agency successful.”     

Russell and her husband, Edward, reside in Calhoun and have been married for 26½ years. They are the parents of one daughter, Caitlin, who is a candidate for graduation this year from Kennesaw State University with a bachelor of nursing degree.

In her spare time, Russell enjoys baseball, basketball, traveling, baking, and spending time with her family and friends.

Five students awarded scholarships from Gordon Hospital Foundation Board

(Media release) Five local students are on their way to achieving their nursing or allied health degrees thanks to some help from the Gordon Hospital Foundation Board.

The board awarded scholarships to the five students recently, following a rigorous application process, said Judy Jackson, director of development services for Gordon Hospital.

“The selection process was very difficult because all of the students were very impressive,” Jackson said. “I know they’ll be successful in their career paths, and we hope this scholarship will help alleviate some of their school expenses.”

Students receiving the scholarships this year are:

Sandra Cruz, a 2009 graduate of Gordon Central High School, who plans to attend Berry College in the fall to pursue a career in nursing. During high school, Cruz received several awards, including Honor Roll Award, Academic Top Five Award, Georgia Certificate of Merit, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Active Member Award, varsity letters in track and cross country, band awards, geometry and algebra II awards, perfect attendance award, Youth Leadership certificate, National Honor Society certificate, Outstanding Vocational Student award, Student of the Month for Principles of Accounting I and International Business. She was treasurer of FBLA and a member of the National Honor Society, Gilda’s Club, Science Club, Spanish Club, track and cross country teams, St. Clements Catholic Church Youth Group, and Hispanic Ministry for St. Clements.

Tevarious L. (Shun) Kidd, a 2009 graduate of Calhoun High School, who plans to attend Valdosta State University in the fall to pursue a career in physical therapy. During his time in high school, Kidd was named to the Merit List and was a member of the Calhoun High School football team, FBLA, and Key Club.

Sara A Nicholas, a 2005 graduate of Calhoun High School and a senior at Georgia Highlands College, where she is pursuing a career in nursing. During her time at college, Nicholas has been named to the Dean’s List. She is also a member of the Phi Sigma Pi National Co-Ed Honor Fraternity, and is a Nike Scholarship recipient.

Jamie M. Smith, a 1998 graduate of Gordon Central High School and a junior at Georgia Highlands College pursuing a career in nursing. She has been accepted to the State University of West Georgia, where she plans to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. During her time in college, Smith has been inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Who’s Who Among College Students. Smith is also employed by Gordon Hospital.

Matthew B. Stanley, a 2009 highest honor graduate of Sonoraville High School, who plans to attend Dalton State College to pursue a career in radiology. During his time in high school, Stanley received a Georgia Certificate of Merit from the University of Georgia, a certificate of recognition from the National Financial Literacy Challenge from the United States Department of the Treasury, several P.R.I.D.E. awards, and attended the State Leadership Conference. He also participated in football, track, basketball, 4-H, HOSA Club, Beta Club, FBLA, USA Weightlifting, and is a member of New Town Baptist Church.

The Gordon Hospital Foundation Board founded the scholarship program several years ago in hopes that it would help relieve the nursing shortage in the region. Each year, they award scholarships to several students that are currently attending or have already been accepted to a nursing or allied health school.

“Our goal is that this scholarship program will help encourage students to pursue a degree in the healthcare field, and will begin or continue their career in our hospital,” Jackson explained.

For more information on the scholarship program, please call Jackson at 706-602-7800, extension 2318.

Calhoun Community Education announces Adult Fitness Swim Class: This Adult Fitness Swim class is designed for those who would like to learn to swim, improve their swimming technique and form, as well as develop endurance and physical fitness. A coach will provide a swim workout that meets your current abilities, as well as tips and techniques to improve your stroke. These classes will be held at the Calhoun Recreation Department Pool beginning Monday – Thursdays starting July 13th – 30th 6:15 pm-7:15pm. Cost for the class will be $70 for all 12 days and $50 for 8 days. Please call 706-629-6788 to register.

Groups, dates for Main Street Partnership's Concerts in the Park series: The Friday concerts go from 7 to 10 p.m.

-Aug. 15: Redeemed, Joyful Praise and Turnin' Point

Gordon County, Ga., Facebook Directory: Gordonheadlines.com brings you a new community Facebook group to help you find other friends in the community. Click Facebook