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Region Roundup County To Hold Pair Of New Year's Programs Two New Year’s Day programs are planned in Jackson County Jan. 1. The 82nd annual New Year’s Day Program will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 1 at the Historic Jackson County Courthouse. This tradition al program was started in 1927 “to give thanks to God for all the blessings of the past year and to ask for divine guidance throughout the coming New Year.’’ As has been the case for several years, the event is sponsored by Teen Pact, a non-profit organization committed to turning stu dents into statesmen. Those who attend are asked to dress warmly because the heat in the historic court house may not be turned on. Coffee, hot chocolate and donuts will be served. Because 2008 was an elec tion year, a second New Year’s Day program will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 1 at the new Jackson County Courthouse to swear in new ly-elected officials. Probate Judge Margaret Deadwyler will preside at the second program and will adminis ter the oath of office to newly-elected officials. Jobless Rate Continues Its Upward Trend The Georgia Department of Labor says that the unemployment rate in the Northeast Georgia area rose to a preliminary unad justed rate of 7.3 percent in November, up 3.2 percent age points over the year from November of 2007. The jobless rate in the Northeast Georgia area rose one-tenth of one percentage point from a revised 7.2 per cent in October. Meanwhile, the state’s seasonally adjusted unem ployment rate rose to 7.5 percent in November, the highest rate since July 1983 when it was also 7.5 per cent. The jobless rate was up 3.0 percentage points from 4.5 percent at this same time last year. The November unemployment rate was up six-tenths of one percent age point from a revised 6.9 percent in October. The state rate remained above the national rate of 6.7 percent for the 10th straight month. At present, 365,244 unemployed Georgians are looking for work. “My Christmas wish is that all Georgians will embrace the true meaning of this holiday season,’’ said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond in a statement issued before Christmas. “During this unprece- LEAVES COVERING YOUR YARD? Now offering leaf removal starting at $65. Removal off property by machine into truck so excess is totally off your property. Ask how to receive a Wal-Mart gift card. SWEETWATER LANDSCAPE GROUP Adam Hardigree 706-614-0440 Scott Hawks 706-207-7614 General Liability & Workers’ Comp. Ins. Cutting The Ribbon Shown at the ribbon cutting last week at Jackson Electric Membership Corporation were, left to right, Don Stewart, Matt Millard, Pat Bell, Steve Gustin, Randall Pugh, Jim Joiner and Bob Bailey. dented economic crisis, we should remember to give the gift of love and encourage ment to unemployed fam ily members and friends. It is also important to reas sure those facing economic uncertainty that expensive gifts they can ill-afford to purchase are not expected or needed,’’ he continued. Thurmond encouraged job seekers to remain posi tive and take advantage of the employment services offered by the Georgia Department of Labor. The department’s Website, www. dol.state.ga.us, includes accessible listings of cur rent job openings, as well as information about job search, career planning, and education and training opportunities. A complete listing of all 53 career cen ters is also provided. Over the last year, the number of payroll jobs in Georgia decreased 94,400 or 2.3 percent. Manufacturing, construction, and trade, along with administrative and support services, includ ing temporary employment agencies, were the hardest hit industries. No ID Yet On Man Killed By Train Dec. 22 A man was run over by a train around 9:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, in Alto in the area of Garland White Road near Lee Arrendale State Prison. The man has not been identified. Rick Salemi, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator, said it is unclear if the man was lying on the tracks at the time of the accident or walking on the tracks. The man was hit by the train and dragged for some distance, Salemi said. Founder’s Corner by Buhl Cummings 2009...”Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” This is the hope of the new year with the Lord. We are exhorted to bury heartaches, failures, and sin in the “sea of forgetfulness,” as we launch out into uncharted waters with Christ as our pilot and guide. Though the waters may sometimes be stormy and rough, the Lord can calm the storm. If your child is battling a storm on the sea of education, ACS invites you to enjoy smooth sailing on the calm waters of quality education in a Christian atmosphere. ATHENS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL “Affordable Quality Education Since 1970” K3-12TH CALL (706) 549-7586 www.athenschristian.com The body has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab in Decatur, Salemi said, for an autopsy. Hopefully this will help to determine the man’s identity, Salemi added. The case is being inves tigated by the HCSO and the GBI. lie libraries; at Genuine Jefferson across from Jefferson High School on Washington Street; at the Joy Shoppe in Commerce; at Crawford W. Long Pharmacy in Jefferson; and at the Burns-Telford House in Maysville. Call Tina for special orders or deliveries, 706- 207-6889. Historical Society's Book Now Available Jackson County Historical Society’s book “Portraits of a Southern Place’’ has been reprinted. A collector’s item for anyone interested in Jackson County history and early photography, the book contains 257 early Jackson County pho tographs and includes an index, organized by sur names, to benefit geneal ogy researchers. This is a reprint in paperback of the 2007 hardback publication and is individually shrink wrapped. The price of $25 includes tax. There will be a quantity discount of five books or more for $20 each. Checks and money orders can be made to The Jackson County Historical Society. The books will be avail able in Jackson County at the Commerce, Jefferson, Talmo and Braselton pub- Humane Society Web Site Now Up & Running The Humane Society of Jackson County has announced that its web site is now up and running. The address is www.hscj. com. “I would love to get your feedback and comments,’’ said society president Angela Gosnell. “We want the site to be the best of the best.’’ Hoschton To Set Fire To 5,441 Scarecrows The Hoschton Fall Festival Committee will host a cele bration bonfire to honor the city’s world record attempt for “The Most Scarecrows in One Location.’’ A bonfire of the scare crows will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, at 5 p.m. at the Kinerly farm on Hwy. 53. ■ Need Holiday Cash? I We Have Plenty! j 4;' BRASELTON FINANCE COMPANY 1 Personal Loans • Title Pawns • Affordable Payments | Come in or apply by internet. : 81B Lagree Duck Road • Braselton, GA 706-658-5300 www.braseltonfinance.com I I • CALL AND COMPARE PER GRAM 706-369-0000 GREG REEVES Fine Jewelry 613 Hawthorne Ave. • Athens Stop by my new office for a free insurance quote during my grand opening celebration. (706) 335-2600 JONATHAN C MILFORD 1237 SOUTH ELM STREET COMMERCE JMilford@Allstate.com Allstate. You're in good hands. Insurance subject to availability and qualifications. The Cupped Hands logo is a registered service mark of Allstate Insurance CompanyAllstate Insurance Company and Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company. Northbrook. Illinois © 2007 Allstate Insurance Company. Those with scarecrows in Hoschton are asked to bring them to the bonfire. Hot chocolate and marsh mallows will be provided. Hoschton said it had 5,441 scarecrows in September, but last week it was notified by the Guinness Book of World Records that it would not be awarded the coveted world record. Jackson Sales Tax Collections Fall In Recession Sales tax collections in Jackson County are down 8 percent year to date through October. If the current trend continues, county officials expect sales tax revenue to fall $430,600 below budget for the year. Sales tax revenue was off 11.5 percent in October over the same month the year before. That continues a trend that has dominated local sales tax collection throughout the year. Year to date through October, Jackson County has collected $4.8 million in local option sales taxes. In 2007, the county had col lected $5.3 million through the same period. Michael Rudio Completes Army ROTC Course Michael C. Rudio has grad uated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) LeaderDevelopment and Assessment Course, also known as “Operation Warrior Forge,’’ at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, WA. Rudio is the son of John R and Chris M. Rudio of Maysville. The 32-day program pro vides the best possible professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logisti cal support. Although con tinued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet’s offi cer potential as a leader by exercising the cadet’s intel ligence, common sense, ingenuity and physical stamina. The cadet com mand assesses each cadet’s performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course. Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC pro gram, and graduation from college, cadets are com missioned as second lieu tenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard or Reserve. CERT Unit To Offer CPR Courses The Jackson County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) will offer a CPR class for residents, civic clubs and businesses. The cost is $25 per stu dent with all proceeds ben efiting the Jackson County CERT program. Instructors will come to the location requested by interested groups. The classes are available during an on-going basis. For more information, con tact Dwayne Keith, Jackson County CERT coordinator, at 706-654-2500, dkeith@ westjacksonfd.com or visit www.jacksoncert.org. NEED PRINTING? CALL 706-367-5233 Banks-Jackson Risk Reduction DUI SCHOOL 706-336-6777 DEFENSIVE DRIVING 1728 North Broad Street, Commerce, State Certified 5010 and 2007 Next DUI Class begins on January 10,2009 Next Defensive Driving Class will be held on January 3,2009 City of Commerce INVITATION TO BID The City of Commerce Planning and Zoning Department will accept sealed bids for the demolition and proper debris removal on the following parcel located in the City of Commerce jurisdiction: 172 Scott Street Contractors must bid on the demolition and removal of buildings, building materials, junk, rubbish, and debris on the above referenced parcel. All disturbed soil must be seeded and covered with straw upon completion. Soil erosion Best Management Practices (BMP’s) shall also be installed as needed on each site. Deadline for bid acceptance will be January 2, 2009. Send sealed bids to: City of Commerce Code Enforcement Center P. 0. Box 348 Commerce, GA 30529 Or hand deliver to: City of Commerce Code of Enforcement Officer Planning and Utility Building 545 Cedar Drive Commerce, GA 30529