Briefly
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on July 25, 2004 8:21 AM
Unemployment rises
The unemployment rate rose in Wayne County in June.
Around 2,583 county residents, or about 5.1 percent of the workforce, were unemployed, according to the Employment Security Commission.
That's an increase of about 296 people from May, when the county's unemployment rate was 4.5 percent.
The statewide rate in June was 5.8 percent, which was up from 5.2 percent.
The unemployment rate in these surrounding counties was Duplin, 5.9 percent in May to 6.3 percent in June; Johnston, 3.4 to 3.6 percent; Sampson, 5 to 5.4 percent; Lenoir, 5.7 to 6.1 percent; and Wilson, 11 to 11.8 percent.
Bowles, Hunt to visit
Erskine Bowles, who is running for U.S. Senate, will be in Goldsboro on Thursday.
He will be joined by former Gov. Jim Hunt at Wilber's Barbecue Restaurant at 6:30 p.m. The cost for the meal is $5.
Bowles, a Democrat who hopes to replace Sen. John Edwards, is on a "North Carolina First" bus tour of the state. He faces U.S. Rep. Richard Burr, a Republican, in the November election.
Last day
Today is the last Sunday that Wayne County's convenience centers will be open.
The centers have been open 1-5 p.m. on Sundays, but the county commissioners decided in June to go to a six-day-a-week schedule because fewer than 40 people were bringing in trash and recyclables on a typical Sunday. The change will save $20,000 a year, say county officials.
Bloodmobile
The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will have a Bloodmobile from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Monday at McDonald's of Mount Olive. Donors will receive a coupon for free food.
Butterfield appointments
U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield has been appointed to the House's Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Small Business.
Butterfield was sworn in last week after winning a special election to replace Frank Ballance, who resigned. Butterfield's district includes part of Wayne County.