JacksonHeraldTODAY

The Jackson County Board of Education approved a sweeping set of financial cutbacks Wednesday morning, including the elimination of 38 teaching and non-teaching positions, closing the Regional Evening School program, furloughing 12-month employees for five days and the suspension or elimination of several other programs.

Included in the cuts is the elimination of an assistant superintendent’s position. Dr. Keith Everson, assistant superintendent for human resources and support services, is one of the 12 certified positions in the district that will be eliminated for the 2009-2010 school year. [Full Story »] 

State troopers from the Athens post of the Georgia State Patrol investigated 14 traffic crashes during January in Jackson County. [Full Story »] 

The opening of the new Jackson County Jail will be delayed until next year in an effort to save money. The jail had been slated to open this summer, but that has been moved back to early 2010. [Full Story »] 

The unemployment rate in Jackson County hit 7.4 percent in November, double the rate it was just one year ago. According to state numbers, some 2,097 Jackson Countians are unemployed. [Full Story »] 

Election Day isn’t until Nov. 4, but many in Jackson County have already cast their ballots.

Some 6,339 people have already voted in the 2008 general election. Some have been mail-in absentee ballots, while others came from early voters at the administrative duilding in Jefferson.

Click here to see sample ballot for Jackson County.

Early voting will be offered again next week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at three locations, including: the county administrative building in Jefferson; the Commerce Recreation Department, 204 Carson Street; and the Braselton Municipal Building. No reason has to be given for early voting or absentee mail-in voting.

The wife of a local state senator asked the Jackson County Board of Education Monday night to support a Bible class being added the system’s curriculum. [Full Story »] 

A huge development that could bring a major manufacturer and jobs to Jackson County is being proposed for South Jackson.
[Full Story »]