Benton MacKaye Trail Association (BMTA) Press Release
Community November 20, 2017
PRESS RELEASE:
The Benton MacKaye Trail Association (BMTA) is seeking volunteers to help with trail maintenance for an upcoming work trip.
According to Barry Allen, Georgia work trip coordinator for the BMTA, a work trip is planned for Saturday, Nov. 25, on a section of trail within the Big Frog Wilderness Area in Tennessee. Blowovers and downed trees will be the focus of the work trip, and Allen hopes to assemble a team of six to seven sawyers to work the trail south of Forest Service Road 221. Participants in this trip can expect about a five-mile out and back hike, Allen said.
Depending on the turnout and the number of certified crosscut workers, a second team may work another section of the BMT that follows Dry Pond Lead Trail north to Kimsey Hwy. (FS 68). Allen stated this section has not been worked in over a year and will likely also need lopper work even if only a few trees are down. This section is four miles one way and is a gradual uphill climb.
All work trip participants are asked to wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeve pants and shirts, work gloves and, for cold-weather trips, multiple thin layers that can be easily shed one at a time. Also, a daypack for storing food, water or other items is always a good idea for work trips. Food and water are not supplied by the BMTA on work trips. The BMTA recommends workers to bring at least two quarts of water for the trip.
Those interested can meet either at The Home Depot in Blue Ridge, Georgia, at 8:30 a.m. or at Thunder Rock Campground eight miles west of Ducktown, Tennessee, off of U.S. Hwy. 64 at 9 a.m.
The Benton MacKaye Trail spans three states – Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina – and nearly 300 miles from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Davenport Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is enjoyed by thousands of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts each year.
For anyone with questions or needing further information, contact Barry Allen at [email protected].
Georgia Mountains’ unemployment rate rises to 4.4 percent in June
State & National July 27, 2017
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that the unemployment rate in the Georgia Mountains region in June was 4.4 percent, up four-tenths of a percentage point from 4 percent in May. In June 2016, the rate was 4.9 percent.
The rate rose as the number of unemployed residents increased, the labor force grew and there was an increase in layoffs as measured by initial claims for unemployment insurance.
The number of unemployed increased by 1,374 to 14,897. There were 1,241 fewer unemployed than in June 2016.
The labor force increased, partially because high school and college students entered the job market. From May to June, the labor force, which consists of employed residents and those who are unemployed and actively looking for jobs, increased by 1,061 to 338,182. Compared to June a year ago, the labor force had a net increase of 11,454
There were 313 fewer Georgia Mountains area residents employed in June than in May, lowering the total number to 323,285. The increase in the number of employed residents in June grew by 12,695 from June 2016.
The number of initial claims increased by 120, or 12 percent, to 1,116. Most of the increase came in retail trade, along with health care, social assistance, educational services, and accommodations and food services. Over the year, claims were down by 302, or 21.3 percent, from 1,418 in June 2016.
Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.3 percent, while the River Valley region had the highest at 6.4 percent.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for June was 4.8 percent, down from 4.9 percent in May. It was 5.3 percent in June 2016.
Job seekers and employers are encouraged to use the GDOL’s online job listing service employgeorgia.com to search for jobs or recruit new employees. In June, 2,374 new job openings in the Georgia Mountains region were posted on Employ Georgia. Throughout the state, 71,261 new job openings were posted.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available atdol.georgia.gov
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.
DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED, TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://dol.georgia.gov/current-labor-force-data-and-grants
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
Georgia hits 4.5 million job mark in October
State & National November 16, 2017
Georgia hits 4.5 million job mark in October
ATLANTA – State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that Georgia broke the 4.5- million jobs barrier in October, bouncing back from a job loss due to Hurricane Irma in September.
The state posted 4,510,100 jobs for the month. That preliminary number is higher than Georgia’s previous revised record of 4,497,700 set in August. In September, Georgia had a temporary setback with a job loss of 3,400.
Georgia also set records in October for labor force and the number of employed residents.
“After the effects of the storm, this month’s numbers are much closer to what we are used to seeing,” Butler said. “All the indicators – job growth, unemployment claims, labor force and employed residents – are trending in the right direction. October was a great month for a dynamic, growing state like Georgia.”
Monthly numbers can fluctuate due to short-term impacts like Irma and are subject to revisions. The story built over the year, Butler said, gives a clearer picture of the state’s economy and jobs picture because it smooths out short-term shifts seen in monthly reports.
Over the past 12 months, Georgia has added 87,800 jobs, a 2 percent growth rate. The state is outpacing the national job growth rate of 1.4 percent.
In October Georgia posted 15,800 new jobs. Growth came mostly in the private sector including, construction, 5,500 and professional and business services, 5,200. Georgia’s over-the-year job growth came mostly in the private sector. Jobs were added in professional and business services, 24,900; education and health services, 15,300; leisure and hospitality, 14,500; and trade, transportation and warehousing, 11,700.
“It’s important that Georgia is adding jobs,” Butler noted, “but it’s more important that people continue to get them. And, we continue to see both happening.”
In October, the total number of employed residents rose by 20,634 to 4,865,859. There are 173,402 more Georgians employed now than in October 2016.
At the same time, the state’s labor force, which includes the total number of Georgians with jobs and those unemployed but looking for work, rose to 5,085,519, up by 15,123 in October. The labor force is up by 123,441 since October 2016.
Butler added that the unemployment rate also continues to fall.
The unemployment rate in October was 4.3 percent, down from September’s revised number of 4.4 percent. That compares favorably to last October when the rate was 5.4 percent. The lowest jobless rate ever recorded for the state was 3.4 percent in November 2000.
Monthly unemployment claims were up by 9.6 percent to 27,040. Most of the increase came due to temporary claims filed in manufacturing. However, from October a year ago, unemployment claims were down by 7.9 percent from 29,355.
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com, showed 59,231 new job postings statewide for October.
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.
DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED, TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://dol.georgia.gov/current
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
Trump Announces New Communication Director In Georgia
News August 16, 2016
Trump campaign named Jennifer Hazelton communication director in Georgia. Hazelton contacted BKP at Fetch Your News to announce she can speak on behalf of the Trump campaign, answer questions, and set up interviews. #trump2016 #georgia #trumpcampaign #2016politics#makeamericagreatagain #fyntv #gmfto #fetchyournews
7th District State Representative Candidates on FYN’s Candidate Day
Election, Politics May 23, 2016
Sam Snider and David Ralston speak on FYN’s Candidate Day for the citizens on the eve of the election day.
51st District State Senate Candidates on FYN’s Candidate Day
Election, Politics May 23, 2016
Steve Gooch and John Williamson speak on FYN’s Candidate Day for the citizens on the eve of the election day.
Convention Round Table 7/27/16
GMFTO July 27, 2016
Georgia Republican Delegate Linda Clary Umberger and Gilmer Republican Party Chairman Stephen Aaron sit down with BKP for a round table discussion about the National Conventions.
Steve Fallin for Child Advocacy
Community May 18, 2016
Steve Fallin of the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy sits down with BKP to talk about abuse and stewardship of today’s children.
Medical Marijuana 6/24/16
GMFTO June 25, 2016
A special segment on Medical Marijuana. BKP meets Rick and Melisa Searcy whose daughter, Angel Searcy, has Cerebral Palsy and Microcephaly. BKP also talks legislation with Dale Jackson from Hope United.
Speaker David Ralston 4/1/16
Politics April 1, 2016
BKP Speaks with House Speaker David Ralston for a Legislative Session Wrap-up.
GMFTO – State Senator Josh McKoon on the Pastor Protection Act, AKA The Politician Protection Act
Politics February 14, 2016
Who does the Pastor Protection Act protect; the Pastors or the Politicians? The 9th District Representative, Kevin Tanner of Dawsonville sponsored the bill for Speaker David Ralston. The bill unanimously passed the Georgia State House. The bill now moves to the senate. We spoke Friday on Good Morning from the Office to State Senator Josh McKoon. Senator McKoon told BKP what he thinks about the bill and other religious freedom bills which he feels need to be brought up during the session. McKoon describes the bill in our interview as a political stunt and wants people to recognize that Democrats voted for the bill.
FYN also asked the senator about the assault on Freedom of Speech, SB127 and HB 370. BKP suggests that perhaps Speaker Ralston call Senator McKoon and invite him to lunch.
GMFTO – Senator Josh McKoon 2/12/16
Politics February 12, 2016
Senator Josh McKoon sits with BKP to talk House Bill 757 Pastor Protection Act and the State Ethics Committee investigation into the assault on Freedom of Speech, SB127 and HB 370.
Swearing in Three New Appointments to Court of Appeals
Featured, Featured Stories, News December 30, 2015
The swearing in ceremony was held December 29th and saw the addition of three new appointments to the Court of Appeals.
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Deal: Georgia will not accept Syrian refugees
Featured November 16, 2015
Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that he will not accept Syrian refugees in Georgia and called upon President Obama to suspend the resettlement program in the United States. Since 2012, Deal has demanded that the federal government limit the number of refugees sent to Georgia.
“In light of the terror attacks in Paris, I’ve issued an executive order directing state agency heads to prevent the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Georgia,” said Deal. “Further, I call upon the Obama administration to work with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security to confirm the backgrounds of the 59 Syrian refugees recently resettled to ensure they do not pose a security threat to our citizens. Until the federal government and Congress conducts a thorough review of current screening procedures and background checks, we will take every measure available to us at the state level to ensure the safety of Georgians.”
. Deal’s letter to President Obama is attached. Read the executive order here.
Georgia ranked No. 1 state in U.S. for business
Featured, News November 6, 2015