County

Rio Blanco County unemployment rate dives in August

RBC I After more than six months in a row in which the Rio Blanco County unemployment rate fell by one-tenth (.1) of a percent, that good news was magnified several times by the county unemployment rate for August.

Since early this year, the county’s jobless rate had steadily been dropping but by a consistent .1 percent monthly to reach one of the state’s lowest unemployment rates of just 4.2 for July. In August, the county’s jobless rate fell by .7 percent to just 3.5 percent. That puts Rio Blanco County as No. 16 lowest among Colorado’s 64 counties.
According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, there were 4,532 in the county’s available workforce for August, and there were 4,374 working and only 158 persons on unemployment in the county. In July, that number was 4,264 persons in the available workforce, there were 4,085 who were employed and there were 178 residents on unemployment.
Those figures are greatly improved over August 2013, when there were 4,505 in the available workforce, there were, 4,299 who were employed and there were 206 on unemployment, for a rate of 4.5 percent, a full percentage point higher than in August this year.
Throughout Colorado, the state unemployment rate has also taken a large dive in the past year.
In August 2013, state unemployment rate, while still well below the national average, was 6.5 percent, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. In August this year, the Colorado jobless rate had fallen an impressive 1.7 percent to 4.8 percent and an impressive .5 percent since July of this year.
This year in August, there were 2,819,828 in the workforce and there were 2,684,091 residents who were employed. There were 135,737 who were unemployed for the rate of 4.8 percent. In July this year, there were 2,843,236 in the available workforce, 2,691,158 who were employed and 152,078 unemployed for a jobless rate of 5.3 percent. A year ago, there were 2,771,811 in the available workforce, 2,590,270 residents with jobs, and the number of jobless was 181,541 for an unemployment rate of 6.5 statewide.
The Colorado counties with the lowest unemployment rates (and their county seats) are: 1. (tie) Baca (Springfield) and Cheyenne (Cheyenne Wells) with 2.1 percent unemployment rates; 3. (tie) Hinsdale (Lake City) and Yuma (Wray) with 2.3 unemployment rates; and 5. (tie) Jackson (Walden) and Kiowa (Eads) counties with 2.4 percent unemployment rates.
The five Colorado counties with the highest unemployment rates (and their county seats) are: 1. Costilla (San Luis) with an 8.6 unemployment rate; 2. Saguache (Saguache) with an 8.6 jobless rate; 3. Huerfano (Walsenberg) with a 7. 2 jobless rate; and 4. (tie) Pueblo (Pueblo) and Conejos (Conejos) counties with 6.9 percent unemployment rates.

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  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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View on Instagram |
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
6 days ago
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
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