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Local News Briefs

State unemployment rises; Marshall’s down slightly

The state’s unemployment rate followed the national trend this month as it rose from 5.7 to 6.4 percent, announced the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES).

Mississippi’s labor force showed a drop as residence based employment fell by 1,000 and the jobless count rose by 9,300, raising the unemployment rate from 5.7 to 6.4.

Over the year, the rate was one-tenth of a percentage point higher than December 2006, when it stood at 6.3.

Thirty counties equaled or were lower than the state rate of 6.4 percent. Rankin County reported the lowest rate for December at 4.1 percent, followed by DeSoto, Lafayette and Lamar counties at 4.4.

Clay and Jefferson counties reported two of the highest rates at 13.6 and 13.2.

Marshall County’s December rate was 8.4 percent, down from 8.5 in November. Benton’s was 11.0, up from 10.6 the month before. Marshall’s ranking is 58th in the state; Benton’s 77th.

City fire department receives Homeland Security funds

U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran recently announced the Holly Springs Fire Department has been awarded $426,600 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The funds were made available as part of FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.

“Our local firefighters and emergency responders are on the front lines when it comes to keeping Mississippians safe,” said Sen. Wicker. “I’m pleased to announce this important funding for Holly Springs’ firefighters. This is a great example of federal funding coming back to assist the people of Mississippi.”

AFG grants aim to enhance firefighters’ response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards.

A free workshop to help prepare anyone for the upcoming Marshall-Benton Area Job Fair will be held Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Sacred Heart Southern Missions. It is located in the building behind St. Joseph Catholic Church on East Van Dorn in Holly Springs.

The class will help anyone learn how to put in applications and interview at a job fair in a friendly atmosphere.

Help with resume preparation will be available as well as learning how to feel comfortable at a job fair. Get one step closer to landing a good job.

To sign up for class or for more information call Sacred Heart Southern Missions at 252-1336.

The job fair is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the Multi-Purpose Building in Holly Springs.

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