Top News
County unemployment declines
Drops from 9.7 percent to 9.4 percent
CULLMAN — Bucking a trend that has lasted more than two years, the unemployment rate for Cullman County declined in the month of November, dropping from 9.7 percent to 9.4 percent. The rate had previously been holding steady at 9.7 percent.
Though the drop can be viewed as encouraging, year-to-date the local unemployment rate has steadily increased from 5.1 percent in November 2008.
State unemployment dropped slightly from the highest rate in 25 years, moving down to 10.3 percent from 10.7 percent in October. This is the first time the rate has dropped statewide in 27 months, dating back to September 2007.
Cullman Economic Development Assistant Director Dale Greer said it is great to see the rate finally begin to decrease.
“You definitely like to think it’s a good sign,” he said. “A lot of economic forecasters are saying things are beginning to pick back up.”
Though the decline is a move in the right direction, Greer said there is still a long road ahead before we will see a full economic recovery.
“Unemployment is still high, but maybe that’s a trend that will bode well for us,” he said. “A few local companies are beginning to call people back and are calling back some temporary employees. It isn’t quite at the rate the layoffs were, but it is something.”
The new statewide unemployment rate represents approximately 217,350 people out of work, down from 226,466 in October.
When compared to surrounding counties, Cullman remained near or below the local average. Winston County posted 17.9 percent, Walker County had 12.2 percent, Morgan County had 10.1 percent, Blount County had 9.2 percent and Marshall County had 9.3 percent.
Statewide, Shelby County and Madison County posted the lowest unemployment rate at 7.3 percent, with Wilcox County maintaining the highest with 24.3 percent.
More information about unemployment benefits can be found at the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Web site (http://dir.alabama.gov/uc).
Job listings with the Alabama Career Center, located at the Wallace State Community College banquet hall, can be found at the center’s Web site (https://joblink.alabama.gov/ada).
* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.
- Top News
-
-
State rejects lights
Even though their initial requests have been rejected by the state, Dodge City officials are still pushing for traffic lights at some busy downtown intersections.
-
City proration preparation
Since state education funding has been cut the past two years, city school officials are making sure the system’s latest budget leaves room for a possible third year of proration.
-
County substitute teachers go back to school
School is in session, but students are not the only ones taking to the classrooms. The Cullman County Board of Education (CCBOE) held an orientation session for substitute teaching applicants on Tuesday.
-
4 arrested in separate meth busts
A couple from Dodge City and two residents of the Springhill community were recently arrested and charged with alleged meth manufacturing, among other charges.
-
LePard takes plea
A year and a half of cultivating evidence; of subpoenaing witnesses and readying for a court battle came to an abrupt end Tuesday, when a former Cold Springs teacher took a plea deal at the outset of the second day of his trial.
-
Muddy memories
Expect a world of difference when Cullman plays its first home football game of the 2010 season (on Sept. 10 vs. Walker).
-
Former teacher’s trial begins
The trial of a former Cold Springs teacher accused of using text messaging to extort sexually explicit photographs from a student got under way Monday, with the alleged victim taking the stand to describe the series of phone exchanges that led to charges against the man.
-
Track installation sees slight delay
To allow more time for the installation of a new eight-lane track at Cullman High School, the city school board has waived a clause that would fine the track’s contractor — Civicon — for not finishing the project sooner.
-
Opening statements made in Derrick LePard case; former student takes stand
The trial of a former Cold Springs teacher accused of using text messaging to extort sexually explicit photographs from a student got under way Monday, with the alleged victim taking the stand to describe the series of phone exchanges that led to charges against the man.
-
City eyeing property acquisition team for Duck River project
With work expected to begin within the next 12 months, city officials hope to hire a property acquisition team soon to start acquiring real estate for the Duck River dam project.
- More Top News Headlines
-
