Jobless rate drops for 9th straight month
Employers maintained hiring at seasonal levels in April while the state's labor force remained unchanged, driving the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate down for the ninth straight month to 7.7 percent.
The rate fell two-tenths of a percentage point from March and was 1.2 percentage points below the post-recession high of 8.9 percent last July. The April unemployment rate was at its lowest since July 2009.
While the labor force remained essentially unchanged at 779,000 in April, the number of Idahoans with jobs was up 1,700 from March. More than 17,000 workers have found jobs since the rate began falling last summer, pushing total employment to almost 719,000. That's the highest since September 2008 when the recession began to accelerate.
'If Your Skin Could Talk'
Linda Penwarden, RN, clinical specialist from Mountain States Tumor Institute, will provide information about effects of the sun during a talk Thursday, May 24, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. at St. Luke's Wood River's River Run Room.
She will explain how to watch for trouble spots and what you can do to protect yourself from further damage. Participants will get the chance to look at their own hands and face in a skin analyzer.
All Brown Bag lectures are free and no pre-registration is required. Call St. Luke's Center for Community Health for information on this or other educational programs, 727-8733.
Sun Valley expands youth council
The Sun Valley City Council last Wednesday approved expansion of a youth council to engage more students.
The council opted to expand the youth commission by two from its initial seven "because of the excellent response we've had and the quality of the applicants," said Mayor Dewayne Briscoe.
The city received 20 applications, all "really strong candidates," including one from Carey High School, said Councilwoman Michelle Griffith.
"These kids are all very busy, in multiple, multiple activities," she said. "I think their biggest challenge is going to be finding a time to meet."
Community School student Taylor Adler approached the City Council with the idea of a youth council to inform and advise the city on issues involving younger residents, as well as to give student participants insight into how local government works.
Appointments available for veterans services
State Veterans Services Officer Milt Smith will be in the Blaine County office Tuesday, June 5, from 1-5 p.m. He will be in the upstairs meeting room of the county annex building, 219 First Ave S., in Hailey.
Anyone interested in meeting with him can contact Brooke Roberson at 788-5566 to set up an appointment.
Knob Hill Inn names new manager
Shannon Allen was recently appointed general manager of Ketchum's Knob Hill Inn. She will be responsible for overseeing all operations of the hotel.
"She brings industry knowledge, a strong work ethic and a track record of delivering superior service to our guests," John Oppenheimer, co-owner of Knob Hill Inn and founder and CEO of Columbia Hospitality, said in a news release. "We are confident that she will continue to secure Knob Hill Inn's reputation as a premier Sun Valley lodging choice."
A group of investors bought the boutique hotel and property at auction last summer, reopening it in the fall after a $750,000 renovation. It is managed and operated by Columbia Hospitality.
Foundation honors nurse for excellence
The St. Luke's Wood River Foundation board of directors and the Harvey Gray Family recently awarded the 2012 Carl A. Gray Memorial Award to Jonathan Edwards of Hailey.
Edwards is a nurse in the St. Luke's Wood River emergency department. In addition, he helps cover ICU and med/surg shifts, is a CPR instructor and has taught medical terminology and sex education at Wood River High School.
The Gray Family established the annual award in the foundation to honor Carl A. Gray, who was an avid Sun Valley Ski Club member. The nursing staff votes on the colleague whom they believe is most deserving of the recognition.
Awards were also given for distinction in specific areas of nursing. These honorees included Amy Downing for Exemplary Professional Practice; Correy Shanahan for Transformational Leadership; Regina Swindle for Empirical Quality Outcomes; Hazel Thorne for Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements; and Donna Wright for Structural Empowerment.
County parties to choose officers
Blaine County Republicans and Democrats will meet tomorrow so party members can elect precinct captains and, in the case of Republicans, delegates to the state convention.
Blaine County Republicans will hold their meeting Thursday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Golden Eagle Clubhouse north of Hailey. They will elect county committee officers and delegates to the state convention in June.
Blaine County Democrats will hold their meeting Thursday, May 24, at 5:30 p.m. at the Ski & Heritage Museum in Ketchum. The party will elect precinct captains and all other officers. It chose delegates to its state convention in April.
