Cherokee jobless rate makes slight hike
The Georgia Department of Labor announced last week that the preliminary unemployment rate in metro Atlanta rose to
9.4 percent in December, up two-tenths of a percentage point from 9.2 percent in November. The jobless rate in metro Atlanta in December a year ago was 10.1 percent.
Cherokee County’s unemployment rate increased slightly to 7.9 percent in December, up from 7.7 percent in November.
Cherokee’s unemployment rate in December 2010 was 8.7 percent.
The metro area rate increased because there were layoffs in construction, manufacturing, retail trade, administrative and support services, and accommodations and food services.
Metro Athens and Warner Robins had the lowest area rates at 7.3 percent, while metro Dalton had the highest at 12.1 percent.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined in December for the third straight month, dropping to 9.7 percent, down from a revised 9.8 percent in November. The jobless rate was 10.4 percent in December a year ago.
The state rate declined because 11,500 Georgians went back to work in December. Statewide, there were 600 new construction jobs, and manufacturing grew by 400 jobs. Job gains also came in information services and trade and transportation.
Local business honored in national magazine
Woodstock-based Salon Spa Venèssa recently was honored by being named on the of the
top 200 fastest-growing salons and spas.
The salon was chosen in the area of philanthropy for its continued work with My House, a nonprofit shelter for medically fragile children. The shelter is located in Cherokee County.
“Five years ago, we became involved with My House,” said spa owner Venessa Lanier. “We give the children haircuts every six to eight weeks, stock their pantry with daily necessities, have raised necessary funds for special equipment and also have fulfilled their Secret Santa wish lists at Christmastime.”
During the holiday season, the salon and spa donated portions of their sales, as well as donations from customers, and presented a check for $1,500 to My House. Other donations include new clothes, toys, pantry items like formula, diapers, wipes and cleaning supplies.
Piedmont opens new practice in Woodstock
Piedmont Physicians Group introduces a new practice location at 9766 Ga. 92 in Woodstock. Jackie Williamson, M.D., and Yacoba Hudson, M.D., lead the practice, which focuses on family medicine.
Piedmont Physicians at Woodstock provides a variety of basic services including medical care for illness, disease and
injury for patients of all ages.
Additional services include preventative care, immunizations, wellness counseling, complete annual physicals, health screenings and chronic disease management.
Dr. Williamson, M.D., is board certified in family medicine. Born in Texas, she earned her medical degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, La. She completed her residency and internship at W.O. Moss Regional Hospital in Lake Charles, La. In addition to her medical degree, Dr. Williamson earned an undergraduate degree in physical therapy and a graduate degree in human anatomy.
Dr. Hudson is board certified in family medicine. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from William Smith College in Geneva, N.Y., with a Bachelor Science in biology. She received her medical degree from Howard University in Washington D.C. and completed her residency at the Medical Center of Delaware in Newark, Del. Dr. Hudson has worked as a clinical preceptor, where she supervised family medicine residents, and has also acted as a medical student mentor for the Oceania University of Medicine in Apia, Samoa.
Drs. Williamson and Hudson are seeing new patients and accept most major insurance plans. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday.
To schedule an appointment, call (770) 926-8717.
For more information, visit piedmontphysicians.org.
