January jobless rate climbs to 14.2% in Gordon County

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

-The new year isn't bringing much hope in terms of new jobs. The January unemployment numbers are out for Northwest Georgia and they continued to climb when compared to December 2009 and a year earlier.

-Gordon County's jobless rate hit 14.2 percent with 3,480 people looking for work. The was the highest in the region.

-Bartow County had the most people looking for work--5,852--for a jobless rate of 12.8 percent. Better days? Several retail outlets are opening in Cartersville this month, including T.J. Maxx (March 21) and a new Arby's on the west side.

-Floyd County came in at 10.9 percent, up two points from January 2009. Some 5,412 people were without jobs last month. Better days? The chamber jobs site has new listings, especially in education. Also, several restaurants are opening including Johnny's New York Style Pizza and The Greener Burger, both on Broad, and El Toro on Shorter Avenue.

-Polk County saw a 2.3-point spike, from a 9 percent unemployment rate in January 2009 to 11.3 percent this year.

-Chattooga County, which saw early layoffs in the recession, was at 12.6 percent compared to 12.2 percent a year earlier.

-Statewide: The state’s unemployment rate rose to 10.4 percent in January, topping the previous record high of 10.3 percent reported in December. This marks the 28th consecutive month that Georgia has exceeded the national seasonally adjusted rate, which was 9.7 percent. The state’s January jobless rate was up 2.0 percentage points from 8.4 percent at this same time last year.

Your latest forecast: 100% all wet. 1 to 2 inches of rain today.

-New: Flood watch in effect through Thursday morning> Click

-Summary: Look for close to two inches of rain today and more throughout the week. As of 9 a.m., an inch of rain had fallen in Cartersville. Thunderstorms also are possible over the next few days. We'll have updates throughout the day.

-Wednesday: 100% chance of rain, one to two inches possible. High of 56.
-Wednesday night: 100% chance of rain, half-inch or more possible. Low of 53.
-Thursday: 80% chance of showers, thunderstorms. High of 68. Gusts to 15 mph.
-Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, low around 44.
-Extended forecast> Click  / Regional radar

A Hero's Welcome

Spc. Justin Evans (right, center) and his colleagues in the 108th Calvary, Company A of the U.S. Army National Guard got a hero's welcome as they traveled along Turner McCall, Broad Street and Second Avenue on Tuesday following 12 months of duty in Afghanistan. Waiting for Evans, 24, on Broad Street were his mother,  Cindy Kelley, and her own army of family and friends. Hometown's Natalie Simms, a family friend, writes about Cindy's anxious final minutes awaiting her son's return and the overwhelming pride she felt. Click Homecoming

-Photos from Broad Street as the heroes' welcome grew> Downtown

-Video of some of those who joined the salute to Company A> Click

-Additional photos from Broad courtesy of Natalie Simms> Click

-Armuchee photographer Joel Lieberman's photos of the day> Click

Wednesday's Buzz

-New spin on Coosa Valley CU's $1,500 United Way donation> UW

-Berry College’s yearlong focus on the artwork of talented alumni artists continues in March with an exhibit by Marty Kahnle. Moon Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by appointment. The exhibition will be displayed through April 2. Call 706-236-2219> More details

-Saturday's Shorter Hawks-Emmanuel College double header baseball game also is Military Appreciation Day. Events include camouflage uniforms, pre-game ceremony, and Branch of Service Recognition. Game times Saturday are 1 and 3 p.m. For more: Coach Matt Larry at 706-233-7510. Game admission is free  

-Rome Braves' single-game tickets go on sale Saturday, March 20: The box office opens at 10 a.m.; ticket prices remain the same: $10, $8, $6 and $4> Sports

Tonight's PowerBall jackpot worth $170 million> Lottery

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Georgia's future non-league football schedule is dull; Mettenberger got his money's worth.

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Braves announced 2010 promotional schedule.

-Rome Braves launch 'official fan page' on Facebook

-Redneck  Rummage Sale at State Mutual Stadium March 20> Click

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia (Please click)

-Gubernatorial Soup: 411 Connector part of spicy week for GOP candidates.

-Cartersville, Bartow voters to hear about education SPLOST 'extension.'

-Floyd Relay for Life going back to basics in 2010.

-Busy weekend ahead in Rome (expo), Cartersville (cowboy gathering).

-Peaks & Valleys: Northern Arc returns; just build it.

What's ahead in Gordon County:

-Upcoming American Red Cross Blood drives> Click

-March 19: GEM welcomes award-winning Elvis tribute artist Matt Cordel: The Friends of the GEM Theatre are bringing award-winning Elvis tribute artist Matt Cordell to the Calhoun Civic Auditorium on Friday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. The event is for all ages and will include both Gospel and rock 'n' roll selections. Tickets are $20 for reserved seating, $15 for general admission and $8 for ages 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at Fitness First of Calhoun, Gordon County Chamber of Commerce, Traditions of Rome and online at www.calhoungem.org. Doors open at 7 p.m. with an Elvis Look Alike Contest; the winner receives a cash prize. Call: (706) 296-7103

-March 27: U-Ride Bicycle Ride, benefitting the United Way of Gordon County: The rides cover 14-, 35- and 62-mile routes, beginning at 9 a.m. with registration set for 7:30 that morning at the Calhoun Historic Depot. Lunch and a T-shirt are provided. Registration is $10 for students (high school and under); $25 for adults; and $55 for families (three or more) Details: vspence@gordoncountyunitedway.org

-April 17, 24: Tire amnesty days, Redbone Ridges Landfill.

Gordon's Relay for Life on May 7 to feature cancer study enrollment

(Media release) Researchers at the American Cancer Society are beginning to enroll 500,000 adults across the United States for its Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3).

This historic study will help the society better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer, and ultimately eliminate cancer as a major health concern for future generations. Enrollment for the study will be conducted at the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Gordon County from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, May 7 at the Northwest Georgia Regional Fairgrounds. (Click Relay Facebook page)

The Gordon County Relay For Life is one of only two sites in Georgia and many around the country this year where individuals may enroll in the new study.

“This study is extremely important to further our understanding not only of what factors cause cancer, but the processes by which cancer develops,” said Mary Wright, Mission Delivery manager for the American Cancer Society in Gordon County. “We are extremely grateful to the half a million men and women across the country who we hope will make this vital contribution to help fight cancer by helping make the study a success.”

Researchers are looking for a diverse group of men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never had cancer and are willing to complete a mailed survey every two years during the course of the study, which is expected to continue for several decades.

And while the study is expected to last for years and yield lifesaving results, initial enrollment will take just 30 minutes. At the relay event, individuals will be asked to complete a brief written survey, provide a waist measurement, and give a small blood sample.

Follow-up surveys will be sent within a few months of enrollment, as well as every few years to update participants’ health behavior information. For more information or to learn how to participate, visit www.cancer.org/cps3, email cps3@cancer org, or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.

CPS-3 will build on evidence from three previous studies from the American Cancer Society, the first of which began in the 1950s: Hammond-Horn, CPS-I, and CPS-II, which together have played a major role in the understanding of cancer prevention and contributed significantly to the scientific literature and to the development of public health guidelines and recommendations. For example:

· Hammond-Horn confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer.
· CPS-I was the landmark study that linked the significant impact of being overweight or obese to the risk of cancer occurrence and death.
· CPS-II was among the earliest research to show that individuals who use aspirin or hormone replacement therapy have a lower death rate from colon cancer.
· CPS-I and CPS-II helped identify the substantial impact of air pollution on cardiopulmonary conditions, motivating the Environmental Protection Agency to propose more stringent limits on particulate air pollution.

Scientific evidence suggests that about one-third of cancer deaths are related to nutrition, excess weight or obesity and physical inactivity.

Get Gordon County updates via Twitter:

-Follow us at www.twitter.com/gordonheadlines.

Upcoming American Red Cross Blood drives:

Calhoun

03/11/2010: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Belwood Elementary School, 509 Belwood Road

The 2009 Gordon County Tax Bills were mailed in January but bills are now available online for payment at http://www.gordoncounty.org. You can make your payment now to receive a tax deduction for 2009. Payments can also be made in person at the Tax Commissioners Office located inside the Gordon County Courthouse Annex, 101 Piedmont Street in Calhoun. Payments can also be mailed in. Call the Tax Commissioner's office at 706-629-9242 for amount due and bill number. Deadline for payments: March 12.

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