Unemployment Up 95% Over Year

The Georgia Department of Labor says 88,756 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits in June, an increase of 94.8 percent from June of 2008. The areas with the highest percentage of increase in claims from June 2008 to June 2009 were Rome up 181.0 percent, Gainesville up 172.8 percent, and Athens up 163.2 percent. The areas with the smallest increase in claims were Dalton up 48.5 percent, Albany up 66.3 percent and Savannah up 68.7 percent. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said rising unemployment continues to plague local economies throughout North Georgia. Most of the state initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and administrative and support services.

(Associated Press)

Afternoon Could Bring Davis High Court Decision

U.S. Supreme Court Justices closed their term this morning with a flurry of rulings. But while the flurry did not include a decision on the petition of Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis, that could come this afternoon when the high court is expected to release other orders of business.

Meanwhile, in Savannah, supporters of Anthony delivered petitions with 60,000 signatures to Chatham County's district attorney. They hope DA Larry Chisolm will reopen the convicted cop killer's case.

The NAACP, Amnesty International and other groups held a news conference outside the Savannah courthouse saying the petitions show overwhelming support for a new trial for Davis. They said about 11,000 of the signatures came from Chatham County. A spokeswoman for District Attorney Larry Chisolm accepted the petitions, but said the prosecutor had no comment.

Davis was convicted in 1991 in the slaying of off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail in Savannah. The U.S. Supreme court was expected to decide soon whether to hear his latest appeal.

NAACP Continues Push For New Davis Hearing

About 200 people were on-hand Saturday afternoon in a Savannah park, joining the NAACP in a rally to support Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis. NAACP President Ben Jealous led the rally, and later led supporters in a petition drive hoping to pressure local prosecutors to re-open the case. Davis was convicted in 1991 of the killing of police officer Mark McPhail 20 years ago. Since then, several witnesses have recanted testimony, and high profile names such as former president Jimmy Carter have called for a fresh look at the case.

The NAACP hopes to get 10,000 signatures on a petition local prosecutors to step in. But barring an late intervention by the U.S. Supreme Court, Davis could be executed next month. The nation’s high court has the Davis-case on its Thursday docket.

Group Urges Chatham DA To Re-open Davis Case

On Georgia’s coast, supporters of convicted cop killer Troy Davis want the new Chatham County district attorney to reopen the case. A news conference held by Savannah’s NAACP chapter Thursday requested DA Larry Chisolm reconsider claims of innocence for Davis, convicted in the 1989 killing of police officer Mark McPhail. The group hopes consideration will be given to statements by witnesses who have recanted testimony since the trial. Chisolm took the DA reigns in January, and has not commented on the case. The U.S. Supreme Court currently has a Davis-appeal in front of them.

Section Of I-16 Remains Closed

A two-mile stretch of Interstate 16 in middle Georgia remains closed this morning to westbound traffic at Dublin as repairs continue on an overpass. The state Department of Transportation says the section of I-16 West could remain closed throughout the Memorial Day weekend.

Repair crews are working on an overpass damaged Tuesday by a tractor-trailer carrying a piece of heavy equipment that was too tall to pass beneath the bridge. The impact sent chunks of concrete raining down onto the interstate.

Georgia DOT officials say holiday travelers on that route between Savannah and Macon should plan for delays and a possible detour.

Former Judges, Prosecutors Throw Support Behind Death Row Inmate

27 former judges and prosecutors filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the appeal of death row inmate Troy Davis to avoid execution. Among those who signed onto the brief Wednesday are former Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson and ex-Congressman Bob Barr, once U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

Davis' attorneys have asked the high court to send his case back to a federal judge for a hearing. They say that to execute him without a full and fair hearing on his claims of innocence would be unconstitutional.

Davis was sentenced to die for the 1989 slaying of Mark MacPhail, an off-duty Savannah police officer. Seven of nine key witnesses against Davis have recanted their testimony.

Savannah Hosts State GOP Convention

Six Republican candidates seeking the 2010 office of governor in Georgia will be at the GOP gathering in Savannah with the early opportunity to sell their campaigns. Two-term governor Sonny Perdue is scheduled to address the state GOP delegates this afternoon.

The GOP field for Georgia governor includes Secretary of State Karen Handel, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, U.S. Representative Nathan Deal, state Senator Eric Johnson of Savannah and state Representative Austin Scott of Tifton. States rights activist Ray McBerry is also running for office.

Entrepreneurial Expo in Savannah

Savannah is hosting a conference promoting partnerships between U.S. and Swedish businesses. The three-day Swedish-American Entrepreneurial Days gathering is largely a networking event for American and Swedish companies. The conference is organized by the Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce, which promotes Swedish business in the U.S. Savannah is the first Southern city, and the smallest in the United States, to host the conference.

More Furloughs For Savannah's Gulfstream

Gulfstream in Savannah says another 170 workers are being furloughed amid down sales in the struggling economy. A spokesman for the Georgia business jet maker says those furloughs will run through April 19th. Back in March, Gulfstream announced it would furlough at least 1,500 workers for five weeks starting in July.

Chatham Judges On Petition To Keep Mental Hospital Open

Judges in Chatham County have joined a petition urging state officials not to close Georgia Regional Hospital in Savannah. The petitions seek a delay in the Department of Human Resources’ plan to close some of the state's seven mental hospitals, move some patients to other facilities, and direct many would-be hospital patients toward community-based mental health care facilities.

The signatures of six Superior Court judges, and judges from State, Recorder's and Probate courts are among more than 10,000 expected to be on petitions for state Senator Lester Jackson to present to the Legislature. Judges and others are concerned the plan relies on community treatment options that are "lacking and uncoordinated."

Crowds Pack Savannah for St. Patrick's Day (Photo Series)

And Georgia Gazette is there, with live sound from the scene: http://www.gpb.org/georgiagazette


(All photos: Orlando Montoya)

As bagpipers and shamrock-plastered floats passed the crowd, Nancy Cox raised a Bloody Mary and clicked the heels of her emerald slippers -- one of the head-to-toe green accessories of her "Wizard of Oz" costume.

(All photos: Orlando Montoya)

Each time her sparkling shoes touched, Cox repeated: "There's no place like Savannah."

Especially not on St. Patrick's Day. Thousands of gaudy green revelers lined the cobblestone streets and magnolia-shaded sidewalks of the downtown historic district today to join the
coastal city's 185-year-old Irish celebration.

Economic gloom may have thinned the throngs slightly, but thirsty tourists started hitting the bars as early as 7:30 a.m. and bar owners anticipated healthy profits by last call at 3 a.m.
tomorrow.

Started in 1824 by Savannah's early wave of Irish immigrants, the St. Patrick's Day parade is the biggest tourist attraction of the year in Georgia's oldest city.

(All photos: Orlando Montoya)

Savannah touts itself as having the nation's second-largest parade, based on the hours-long procession of marching bands, and elaborate floats, Civil War re-enactors and convertibles
chauffeuring local dignitaries. On peak years, the celebration draws up to 400,000 party goers to the city of 150,000.

(All photos: Orlando Montoya)

The turnout today wasn't nearly as smothering as Savannah can be when March 17th falls on a weekend. People stood shoulder-to-shoulder two to three deep on the sidewalks, but many spots had enough elbow room to walk unimpeded.

(All photos: Orlando Montoya)

Oak-shaded Chippewa Square, normally one of the busiest parade-watching spots, still had ample space for party tents by the time the parade began.

(AP)

Savannah Ready For St. Pat's Day Festivities

One of the largest St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the nation gets going this morning in Savannah. The signature event in the coastal city is the St. Pat’s parade winding through the downtown street. That kicks-off at 10am.

The parade is only part of a full roster of activities in Savannah--the events includes a St Patrick’s Day mass at one of the old churches in the city.

A programming reminder for tonight on GPB Radio--join us for a special edition of Georgia Gazette. Orlando Montoya will be hosting from the streets of Savannah, with all the color and flavor of another St Patrick’s celebration along the coast. Georgia Gazette airs 6pm tonight...7pm in Athens.

Famous Horses Grace Georgia Parades

The world famous Budweiser Clydesdales are spending several days in Georgia to participate in two parades on Georgia's coast - the Tybee Island Irish Heritage Parade on Saturday and the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade on Tuesday. The horses are taking up temporary residence at J.F Gregory Park in Richmond Hill, where the public can see the horses daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Savannah is one of 300 cities the five traveling hitches visit annually. A single Clydesdale hitch horse will consume as much as 25 quarts of feed, 60 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water a day.

(Associated Press)

Crackdown on Tax-Delinquent Lawmakers

A state senator wants to change rules in his chamber to penalize senators who haven't paid their taxes. Nineteen legislators - including three state senators - are delinquent on their tax bills. State Sen. Eric Johnson, a Savannah Republican, said he's pushing legislation that would change Senate rules to require that lawmakers in the chamber be current on their tax bills. If they aren't, they could face disciplinary action, including removal from the Senate.

(Associated Press)

Official: Lease Close for Savannah River Site

The Savannah River Site (Courtesy)


Officials report progress on leasing 2,500 acres within Savannah River Site that could be marketed as an energy park or a possible site for a commercial nuclear power plant.

Rick Toole, who heads the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization, says his group and the U.S. Department of Energy are in the final stages of the deal. But he says they cannot divulge its location until the lease is signed, possibly by this summer.

Once the lease is completed, Toole believes SRS will become much more attractive as a potential site for energy projects.


Photo of the Savannah River Site, taken from the International Space Station. The annotations are from the Wikipedia page.

The nonprofit reuse organization was formed 15 years ago to find ways to bring new jobs to SRS as its nuclear weapons mission and employment numbers dropped.

Information from: The Augusta Chronicle.

(AP)

Click here for more GPB News coverage of this and related stories about Savannah.

Savannah Nets Jobs

150 jobs are coming to Savannah. Modular interior manufacturer DIRTT has announced plans to open a new assembly plant there come spring. Executives of the Canadian-based company said the new plant could add up to 150 jobs in the next two years. The company makes modular walls and floors. DIRTT is an acronym for "Doing It Right This Time."

(Associated Press)

Georgia Power Plans Safety Improvements

Georgia Power says the utility will have a plan by the end of this month for making safety improvements to the downtown Savannah electrical grid after two recent fires sparked underground explosions. Explosions last week and in August blew off manhole covers and rattled office buildings in downtown Savannah. No one was injured. A top executive says possible options include temperature gauges to monitor underground cables and restraints to keep manhole covers anchored in place. Georgia Power began two years ago to replace the city's aging network of underground cables, but that work won't be finished until 2012.

(Associated Press)

Savannah Recycling Surge

Savannah's new curbside recycling program is proving a bigger success than city officials planned. Officials are apologizing and asking residents to have patience after half the households who were scheduled for recycling pickup didn't get their bins emptied Monday. The problem? Crews collected more than 100 tons of recycling on Monday alone -- way more than officials projected. Officials promised all the bins would be picked up by Thursday and that more trucks and more staff would be on the way. They hope to get the "opening day kinks" worked out in the next few weeks.

(Orlando Montoya, WSVH)

Crews rush to replace aging electric cables

An update now on the underground explosion in downtown Savannah last month. Georgia Power says it's expediting replacing 50- to 80-year old electrical cables beneath Savannah's streets. The December 29th blast was linked to aging cables. It was the second blast of its kind – the first in August. No one was hurt in either blast. The company says it will send extra crews to replace the cables by 2012 – four years ahead of schedule.

(Associated Press)

Plan to Hike Tobacco Tax Unveiled

Republican State Representative Ron Stephens spoke Tuesday at the State Capitol on his proposed measure for the upcoming Legislative session, that would BOOST by one-dollar, the tax per-pack on cigarettes in Georgia.

One aim for the bill is to find extra revenue to feed the state’s massive budget shortfall, expected to top two-billion dollars in the fiscal year. Another focus is the health of Georgians--Stephens says more than two-billion dollars is spent yearly in Georgia on tobacco-related illnesses.

"In my mind this is a no-brainer. The healthcare is going to better in the state of Georgia...Georgians will be healthier. We’re going to raise the revenue to plug the short-term shortfall in our budget, and in the long-term were going to save the taxpayer dollars…lots of dollars."

The Republican from Savannah points-out other states are considering hikes in their tobacco tax, which could help his bill’s chances here.

He says Georgia’s tobacco excise tax of 37-cents is one of the lowest in the nation--about 80-cents lower than the national average. Stephens projects a one-dollar tax hike in Georgia could bring-in 350-million dollars or more.

As far as how to sell this tax-hike plan to fellow Republicans, Stephens says this:

"It comes down to that real question of 'is it really a tax?’, and how do you sell that to somebody like myself that’s absolutely opposed to taxes and tax increases."

Stephens says this should be seen not as a tax increase, but as a tax savings.

Stephens’ effort is backed by a coalition of groups, businesses, and healthcare professionals.