Unemployment

The Republican and Democratic political parties in Washington passed a bill for $1.3 trillion on to the deficit. They extended unemployment benefits to several million people for 13 months, but on the other hand, they denied Harry Reid’s and Nancy Pelosi’s and other Democrats’ request for $250 for each of the Social Security retirees who get no raises in 2010, 2011 or 2012. I think it’s about time the government tells those millions of unemployed people, get out and do some community service in the towns where they live as a requirement for receiving unemployment compensation for another 13 months.

STANFORD - Cathy Mitchum, 59, lived her dream for three short years as owner of McKinney Station in Lincoln County. “It was a country store,” she said, smiling at the memory. “We had hardware and feed, and we cooked and had a grill.” But the reality of the economic downturn ended Mitchum's reverie in 2009 when she had to close the store and face unemployment. Many in her situation - jobless with only a few years until retirement - hung up their work boots and collected unemployment, but not Mitchum.

FRANKFORT — Kentuckians in Casey, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Metcalfe, Rockcastle, Rowan and Woodford counties who have lost work or whose businesses were damaged due to severe weather that occurred May 1 may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. Farmers and self-employed people, who are normally not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, also may qualify for disaster unemployment assistance, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

“Work harder: Millions on welfare are counting on you.” I must admit the pithy bumper sticker made me chuckle. I appreciate wit even when sometimes it cuts. As I reflected on Labor Day about the current frenzy about the dismal reports on jobs, the nine simple words on the sticker highlighted one part of the problem. Unemployment is a complicated socioeconomic issue, and no one can easily pinpoint the problem or the solution. Ideas abound, but at least one issue is clear. There is a growing sentiment in our culture that the ideal job is that which garners the most pay while requiring the least work.

Unemployment in Clark County dropped half a percent from July to August and has fallen even more since August 2006, according to new figures from the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training in the Education Cabinet. Clark County's jobless rate dipped from 4.8 percent in July to 4.3 percent in August with 766 unemployed workers out of a civilian labor force of 17,621. The unemployment rate in August last year stood at 4.9 percent. Meanwhile, unemployment rates rose in 61 Kentucky counties between August 2006 and August 2007, dropped in 45 counties and remained the same in 14 counties, according to the Employment Office.

Unemployment in Clark County rose slightly between April and May, but remains well below rates observed during the same time last year. Joblessness climbed from 4.6 percent in April to 4.7 percent in May with 828 people out of work from a total civilian labor force of 17,755. In May 2006, unemployment was 5.5 percent. In the meantime, unemployment rates fell in 73 Kentucky counties between May 2006 and May 2007, rose in 45 counties and remained the same in two counties, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Education Cabinet.

Joblessness in Clark County edged up modestly between May and June but remains lower than levels observed in June last year, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Education Cabinet. Released last week, the report shows that unemployment increased from 4.7 percent in May to 5 percent in June with 887 workers out of jobs from a labor force of 17,901. The jobless rate stood at 5.8 percent in June 2006. Meanwhile, unemployment rates declined in 81 Kentucky counties between June 2006 and June 2007, rose in 31 counties and remained the same in eight counties.

Dear Editor, Clothes in the dryer, dishes done and watching Matlock reruns while I write this letter; suddenly I hear an ear-busting, get on your nerves, screeching sound. I get up to investigate and find out it's the smoke detector and my Christmas cookies are done. Such is the life of being unemployed. I have been laid off for over a year. In order to collect unemployment benefits, you have to apply for at least one job per week, document it, and turn the information into the unemployment office every six to 12 weeks.

Unemployment in Clark County edged down nearly a full percentage point between September and October to the same level as observed last year, according to new figures from the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training in the Education Cabinet. Clark County's jobless rate dipped from 5 percent in September to 4.2 percent in October with 739 unemployed workers out of a civilian labor force of 17,550. The unemployment rate in October last year was also 4.2 percent. Meanwhile, unemployment rates rose in 94 Kentucky counties between October 2006 and October 2007, dropped in 18 counties and remained the same in eight counties, according to the Office of Employment and Training.

More than a year and a half after the resignation of a Jessamine County EMT who said she quit her position because of sexual harassment, a decision by the Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Commission has upheld the referee decision that deemed the county correct in denying her unemployment benefits. The unemployment commission released the decision last week, stating the referee who handled the case for the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Office of Employment and Training made no errors when deciding that Tina Griggs left voluntarily, “without good cause attributable to the employment,” and therefore is not entitled to unemployment.

August unemployment rate in Jessamine County dropped to a four-year low, coming in at 6.8 percent in August 2012, according to Kentucky Labor Market Information. Jessamine's rate was easily better than the state's, which saw the unemployment rate rise to 8.5 percent from July's 8.3 percent. “An uptick in the unemployment rate, especially when accompanied by a drop in the number of people employed, does cause some anxiety,” said economist Manoj Shanker with the Office of Employment and Training.

The African American community and the city of Junction City have something in common. The unemployment rate for African Americans is 14 percent. Junction City levies an insurance tax of 14 percent. Would you not agree that both are much too high? Lewis Grider Junction City

A former Fountain Circle Health and Rehabilitation Center employee has filed suit against the facility's parent company, Kindred Nursing Centers, for wrongful termination. Deshanna Baker filed suit June 1 in Clark Circuit Court, claiming race discrimination and retaliation after she reported alleged misconduct by another employee. According to the complaint, Baker was repeatedly harrassed because of her race. Although the actions were reported, Baker said no disiciplinary action was taken.

Dec. 30, 1986 The engagement of Miss Tonya Diane Woosley to Stephen Dale Birch is announced by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Woosley, Winchester. Mr. Birch is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Danny Birch, also of Winchester. WASHINGTON (AP) - Next year will bring moderate economic growth with a recovery just strong enough to reduce unemployment slightly, but weak enough to continue the downward trend in interest rates, according to leading economic analysts.

A job. For nearly 2,000 Jessamine Countians, it's the item on the top of their Christmas wish lists. But getting one isn't nearly as easy as writing a letter to Santa, or camping out in the wee hours of the morning in front of a department store on Black Friday. Times are still tough, and there just don't seem to be enough jobs for everyone. The national unemployment rate hovered around 9 percent for the month of October, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Labor.

LANCASTER - Garrard County residents seeking employment opportunities now have more computer access, training and job workshops at the new Public Library Workforce Center. The Garrard County Public Library is one of 46 public libraries in the state to become a workforce center. The centers house computers and software that will be used to provide training in a formal workshop setting to Kentucky residents seeking employment opportunities. The centers are made possible by a $1.3 million American Reinvestment and Recovery Act broadband technologies grant provided through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

The Winchester/Clark County Chamber of Commerce will host an unemployment insurance seminar for all employers Wednesday, Nov. 16, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Clark County Extension Service office, 1400 Fortune Drive.   Katie Houghlin, assistant director of Unemployment Insurance for Kentucky, will cover House Bill 5, a measure aimed at modernizing the state's unemployment and benefits structure, restoring stability to an unbalanced unemployment insurance...

“Work harder: Millions on welfare are counting on you.” I must admit the pithy bumper sticker made me chuckle. I appreciate wit even when sometimes it cuts. As I reflected on Labor Day about the current frenzy about the dismal reports on jobs, the nine simple words on the sticker highlighted one part of the problem. Unemployment is a complicated socioeconomic issue, and no one can easily pinpoint the problem or the solution. Ideas abound, but at least one issue is clear. There is a growing sentiment in our culture that the ideal job is that which garners the most pay while requiring the least work.

STANFORD - Cathy Mitchum, 59, lived her dream for three short years as owner of McKinney Station in Lincoln County. “It was a country store,” she said, smiling at the memory. “We had hardware and feed, and we cooked and had a grill.” But the reality of the economic downturn ended Mitchum's reverie in 2009 when she had to close the store and face unemployment. Many in her situation - jobless with only a few years until retirement - hung up their work boots and collected unemployment, but not Mitchum.