News from JacksonHeraldTODAY

EDITORIAL: Key economic signs merit watching

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Thursday, March 26. 2009

The announcement last week that Caterpillar would be closing its Jefferson plant was an economic blow to Jackson County. It is the second large manufacturing industry to close in the past few months — the LP plant in Center shut down in the fall. And other local industries have cut back production and employees to varying degrees. So despite ... [Full Story »]

Jackson sales tax revenues tumble in Jan.

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Wednesday, March 25. 2009

Sales tax revenues in Jackson County fell by nearly 10 percent in January, down to $386,100 from $428,150 in 2008. It is only the third time since February 2005 that sales taxes have fallen below $400,000 in a month. In November 2008, sales taxes fell to $356,500, but December’s sales topped $512,000. January’s numbers don’t bode well for ... [Full Story »]

Fire destroys North Jackson home

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Tuesday, March 24. 2009

A fire destroyed a home on Lauren Marie Drive in North Jackson Monday afternoon. Several Jackson County fire units, along with a Hall County unit, responded to the blaze.

Jackson BOE to announce layoffs

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Monday, March 23. 2009

The Jackson County Board of Education will announce the school system’s layoff plans on Wednesday morning. During its annual retreat on Thursday and Friday, the board discussed the district’s financial woes amid dwindling state revenue. The board held a 35-minute closed-door meeting on Friday afternoon to discuss personnel issues. ... [Full Story »]

COLUMN: Legislators, stay out of the Petri dish

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Thursday, March 19. 2009

The Georgia Republican Party is about to decide its image for the foreseeable future. Last Thursday, the Georgia Senate passed SB 169, the anti-stem cell research bill that would ban therapeutic cloning in embryonic stem cell research. The original legislation was introduced by Sen. Ralph Hudgens of the 47th District (which overlaps part of ... [Full Story »]

Arson investigation reveals racial slur in home

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Wednesday, March 18. 2009

Racial slurs were painted on several walls inside a home found on fire early Monday morning. Arson is suspected at the residential fire at 52 Hamilton Drive in Jefferson. No injuries were reported and no one was home at the time of the blaze. Units from the Jefferson, Jackson Trail and the Jackson County Correctional Institute Fire Departments ... [Full Story »]

Johnson to head Jackson County Republicans

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Mike Buffington

Wednesday, March 18. 2009

The Jackson County Republican Party had a coup at its convention Saturday when party members ousted longtime local GOP chairman David Oppenheimer and elected Ron Johnson of Hoschton as the group’s new leader. Johnson said the Jackson County GOP will have “a more local focus” in the coming months. “We will focus on local elections,” ... [Full Story »]

Woman victim of identity theft

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Wednesday, March 18. 2009

A Braselton woman said a man she met through an online dating service tried to get her credit card information. The woman said the man told her he was in the United States Marine Corps and stationed overseas, according to the incident report filed at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. She said he asked for her credit card information so ... [Full Story »]

Jefferson Caterpillar plant to shut down

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Tuesday, March 17. 2009

The Jefferson Caterpillar plant will be closed in June due to the economic downturn. Officials announced Tuesday morning that the facility, which makes fuel systems, will begin laying off some 89 employees starting in May. The local facility’s work will be moved to plants in Thomasville, GA and Pontiac, IL. The company is also laying off 200 ... [Full Story »]

EDITORIAL: BOC should probe member’s meddling

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JacksonHeraldTODAY

Monday, March 16. 2009

What a mess. A used car lot in South Jackson appears to be at the center of events that led to Jackson County’s planning director and another staff member being put on leave. It also raises a huge number of questions about what appears to be some shenanigans within the county government itself. The core issue is a used car lot and repair shop ... [Full Story »]

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