About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 19, 2017)
Friday, May 19, 2017 Lake Oconee News Page A9 LAKE COUNTRY March sees unemployment rates decrease in Lake Country Wil Petty wil@lakeoconeenews.us Unemployment numbers decreased throughout the Lake Country in March, according to figures from the Georgia Department of Labor. The figures released show the total labor force, employed and unemployed, as well as the percentages of those unemployed by state, county, region, metro and in cities over 25,000 people. The numbers for March of this year were released on April 27. According to the report, Putnam County saw the largest unemployment drop in the region, decreas ing from 6.7 percent in February to 6.1 percent in March. Last year, the rate in Putnam County was 7-1 percent. Greene County’s unem ployment rate dropped from 5.5 percent in February to 5.1 percent in March, while Morgan County’s unemployment numbers dropped from 5 percent to 4.7 percent. In March 2016, Greene County’s unemployment rate was 5.8 percent, while Morgan County’s was 5 percent. The number of unem ployed also decreased slightly in all three counties. The unemployment rate for the Northeast Georgia regional commission, which includes Greene and Morgan counties, was 4.6 percent. The Middle Georgia regional commission, which includes Putnam County, had an unemployment rate of 5.2 percent. Morgan County, which is also included in the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), saw an unem ployment rate of 4.6 percent in March. According to the report’s seasonally adjusted esti mates, the number of Geor gians unemployed dropped from 267,114 in February to 257,658 in March. Approx imately 4.7 million Geor gians were employed. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate state wide also decreased from 5.3 percent in February to 5.1 percent in March. In March 2016, Georgia’s un employment rate was at 5.5 percent. Georgia remains above the national rate of 4.5 percent unemployment. Throughout the state, 63 counties had an unemploy ment rate under 5 percent while 14 counties had a rate over 7 percent. Clay County had the highest unemployment rate in the state at 9.8 percent and Oconee County’s rate is the lowest at 3.6 percent. Additional figures for un employment in the region and throughout the state are available on the Georgia Department of Labor’s website: http://dol.georgia. gov/. MORGAN COUNTY Possibly rabid dog euthanized after biting woman Katherine Klimt was attacked from behind katherine@lakeoconeenews.us by the dog. The dog bit her several times on her A Madison woman called right arm and once on her police last Saturday evening left elbow, lacerating her to report that she had been severely enough to expose bitten by an aggressive dog adipose tissue, according while walking on Overlook to Davis’ report. Ward said Street. Kelvie Ward, 46, that she knew the dog lived was bitten multiple times somewhere on Creekpoint on her arms by a beagle mix Drive, but was not sure owned by Tyrone Gibbs of where. Corporal Trellis Madison. Elder also responded to Ward told responding the scene and was able to officer Justin Davis that identify the dog’s owner, shortly before 8 p.m. she Police then contacted Madison Animal Control County man found his officer Crystal Berisko, who German shepherd bleeding spoke to Gibbs on Monday, heavily on his front porch May 15. Gibbs surrendered on May 7- ownership ofhis 8-year-old He thought coyotes might dog, which was not current have attacked his dog, but on its vaccinations and was his veterinarian told the behaving aggressively. Due bleeding was the result of to the animal’s behavior, a gunshot wound, more animal control decided specifically bird shot from a to euthanize the dog and shotgun, send its head to Georgia Neighborhood hearsay Environmental Services for indicated someone may testing. have intended to hurt the In another incident in- dog, but no evidence to volving a canine, a Morgan support that was reported. We need your donations! Restore Putnam County Habitat For Humanity Call for more information about pickups. • Washers/Dryers • End Tables • Mirrors Sofas / Furniture • Chairs • Dishes Thursday and Friday 10:00am to 4:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am to 3:30 pm m fifil i/aa 1027 Lake 0conee pkw y-> Eatonton, Georgia 31024 (across from Goodwill) Morgan Continued from A1 al uses. Jarrell’s letter further states that residents have expressed concern at the lack of public access to Lake Oconee, though it is publicly accessible via the Swords Recreation Area, part of the Chatta- hoochee-Oconee National Forest. There is, however, no county-owned access to the lake. Purchasing the property could open up more public points of access to the area. The property, which totals around 10.88 acres, has been appraised at around $430,000 and in addition to an access ramp and campgrounds also includes a vacant store building that was built around 10 years ago. Quinn is hoping to receive an offer of around 10 percent less than that amount, which would be around $387,000. Though nothing is settled yet, county manager Adam Mestres supported the idea, saying, “any conversa tion is worth having once.” Upcoming developments at the Morgan County Rec reation Department were also discussed, though the county has yet to award the projects, which will aim to improve the center’s baseball fields and grading and storm drainage facili ties. The project has a total budget of $1.7 million, but this amount is likely not enough to complete all the proposed improvements. Mestres pointed out that the current estimates of the total cost are higher than initially thought, and that completion of the fields may hang in the balance. Lance Alexander, chairman of the Recreation Department, explained that the original quotes suggested that the cost for the soccer fields would be around $1.30 per foot, when it is now esti mated to be significantly higher at $1.45 per foot. The center also has several baseball fields that would cost around $250,000 each to repair. The deadline for bidding proposals is Tuesday, June 6, so the Recreation De partment has limited time to determine its course of action. Furthermore, as finance director Lori Sayer pointed out, county funds must be dispersed accord ing to a set schedule. The issue will likely be under further review at the next meeting of the Board of Recreation meeting on Thursday, May 25 at noon. In other news: The possibility of seeking rights to withdraw water from Lake Oconee was also under discussion. This long-term proposal seeks to anticipate possible water needs in the county for the next 20 to 50 years, includ ing drought contingency plans. A spot on the county library board that has been vacant since July 1, 2016 was filled by Irene Paul, whose term will last until June 30, 2022. Madison resident Gur- winder Singh’s application for a liquor license for the River Store on Greensboro Highway was approved. The discussion of the proposed Farmview Park was tabled for further review. The next meeting of the Morgan County Commission will take place on June 6 at 10 a.m. Follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/LakeOconeeNews Rock Eagle Sunday Lunch Please join us Sunday, May 21st for our final Sunday Lunch of the season! We look forward to seeing you there! Adults $14.50 Children (4-10) $7.25 Under 3 eat free with paying adult 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Museum open each 3rd Sunday noon till 2 p.m. free of charge in the county administra tive building in downtown Madison. Get breaking news online! www.lakeoconeenews.us Mexican Restaurant Hard Taco iHiiM Locally Owned by Denise Nelson ' I n Yes we are LlC L Open for Lunch! 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