Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services He beat the odds Providence's 23rd Festival of Trees opens to public this weekend Since You Asked: Precinct numbering system proves baffling Get Up & Go: Dec. 4 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Nurse sentenced after running over boyfriend Promotions announced at local fire departments Applegate man charged with sexually abusing girl over 18-month period Police looking for homeless man who attacked two others with a crowbar Politics and Elections GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means East Medford's the charm Pot, GMOs unite south Jackson County Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Education Medford school administrators get pay boost Students put their hearts into AIDS event Kitzhaber calls for early education spending in budget proposal Medford leans toward three-quarter-day kindergarten Building audits will help district save energy, and money Environment County calls for local control of federal lands Most dredging banned under new proposed guidelines Hawks use I-5 as hunting ground Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill Mt. View Estates' fill, riprap work lacked county permit State News Grand jury: Officers justified in S. Ore. shooting Forest Service: Thin 100K acres of Oregon forest Oregon doctor heads to Ebola zone Prosecutor: Detective to plead guilty to forgery University of Oregon teaching assistants strike Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Delene Yvonne Pauley Guest Betty Jean Bradetich Slate Catharine Carson Sotzing Cynthia �Cyna� Ann Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Panthers pick up big win Panthers skate past Comets Payton II leads Oregon St. over MVSU Duke rises to occasion, downs Wisconsin 76ers avoid worst start in history Varsity 541 College Sports Payton II leads Oregon St. over MVSU Duke rises to occasion, downs Wisconsin Oregon romps past NAIA Concordia Familiar Foes Missouri knows to watch out for Cooper Pro Sports 76ers avoid worst start in history Cowboys look to bounce back against Bears 2015 European Tour season opens in Sun City Durant back, but Thunder falls Aldridge's helping hand propels Blazers Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories More sales, but no change in residential housing median price People in Business, Dec. 3 Blog: Mobile shopping continues to make inroads Blog: Thoughts from an analyst who is bullish on Lithia Investors' focus shifts to local, small ventures Real Estate News More sales, but no change in residential housing median price Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Agriculture Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Dec. 4 Our View: Cheers and jeers Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon Dana Milbank: Obama has already won the immigration fight Matthew Mangino: U.S. Supreme Court takes on Facebook threats Editorials Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Stay flexible on kindergarten hours Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up Our View: What's in a name? Not that much, really Other Views: Klamath Basin agreement deserves approval Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 4 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 3 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 2 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 1 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 30 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? Guest Opinion: Fight for the rights of independent voters will continue Guest Opinion: 'Natural' not necessarily better for forest management Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Lifestyle Latest stories Dr. Murray Feingold: Say it like you mean it Marketta Gregory: The stories of our faith Religion news: Animal sacrifice at Nepal festival continues, despite protests Community blog: Guiltless Holidays Better for our Health Troubleshoot common water boiler problems Food 'Amazing' Soup Roxy Ann winemaker has roots in Napa Valley Community blog: Post-holiday soups easy on the budget, waistline Food for Thought: Sugar cookies offer holiday nostalgia Kitchen Call: A change from turkey leftovers Home and Garden Troubleshoot common water boiler problems Dear Monty: Ten helpful home-listing tips Home Help: Luxurious upgrades don’t have to break the bank 9 ways to green your gift wrap Dear Monty: How to find a good real estate attorney Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Say it like you mean it Community blog: Guiltless Holidays Better for our Health HealthStyle: Develop an attitude of gratitude Health Watch: Fuel up on carbs before workouts Health insurance enrollment help available Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements Madi-Stiles A New Song Rogers-Horn New Arrivals ACCESS receives $50,000 donation from Wells Fargo Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Bedford Falls comes to life at Randall SOU presents all-percussion concert Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Brunch at Loft Brasserie Theater Bedford Falls comes to life at Randall Camelot presents 'Fiddler on the Roof' OCT's holiday show is a wonderful play New 'Alice' has some for kids ... and adults 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Music SOU presents all-percussion concert Shae Johnson releases 'Can You Feel the Music' Jeff Kloetzel releases 'Long Time Coming' A new guitar slinger in town Peter Chianca: Top 40 songs even a dad could love Community Events Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Dining Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers and jeers ... Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon ... Medford school administrators get pay boost ... Our View: Cheers and jeers ... Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon ... Medford school administrators get pay boost ... EMPLOYMENT Jackson County sees workforce and job growth Figures compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated October's seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 8.5 percent, an incremental improvement over September's 8.6 percent reading, but well below the 9.3 percent October 2013 mark. By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 25, 2014 @ 9:46 am By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 25, 2014 @ 9:46 am » Social News Jackson County saw tangible employment improvement during October. The labor force and employment figures trended up both month-over-month and year-over-year, showing expanding strength across a variety of industry sectors. Figures compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated October's seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 8.5 percent, an incremental improvement over September's 8.6 percent reading, but well below the 9.3 percent October 2013 mark. Total payroll employment rose by 1,630 in October. During the past 12 months, 2,190 jobs were added for a growth rate of 2.8 percent. "We're finally adding jobs in a lot of industries," said Guy Tauer, a regional economist with the state Employment Department. "Across the board, we're seeing numbers that are on an upwards trajectory. But there are still a few weak spots." The biggest employment boost between October and September was the federal government, with transportation, trade and utilities combing to produce 740 positions. Retail trade contributed an additional 720 paychecks.  "A lot of that 720 is related to big-box hiring," Tauer said. "Retail is always one of the big movers this time of the year. We will see it peak in November and December as we reach the peak of seasonal hiring in Jackson County." While summer produces the largest leisure and hospitality employment, Tauer said a bit of snow could add to the numbers. "This is generally a quieter season for leisure and hospitality," Tauer said. "Hopefully,  it is not going to be as quiet as last year when Mount Ashland didn't open. Hopefully, ski season will get under way soon." Among the weak spots, is the information sector, which includes all aspects of communications, The sector picked up 10 jobs last month, but is down 140 over the past year. "We're seeing fewer land lines, with more cell phones," Tauer said. "Generally, when you have a problem with your phone, you won't be going to a brick-and-mortar store. You'll go online or they will mail you a phone from outside the area if there is a problem." Although construction declined in October by 100 jobs, over the past year the sector has created 220 more positions. "Construction is slowly moving out of its deepest doldrums after years of losing jobs," Tauer said. Financial activities, which takes in real estate sales, mortgage lending and banks, picked up 30 jobs last month, but is still down 30 from a year ago. "Financial activities have been pretty weak statewide, and certainly in the Rogue Valley as well," Tauer said. Southern Oregon still trails many regions in job creation with the state as a whole maintaining a 7.0 percent seasonally adjust jobless rate. But even neighboring Josephine County, which remained in double-digit unemployment a year ago, came in with a seasonally adjusted 9.6 percent figure for the second month in a row. "Jackson County is not matching the statewide growth trends, but we're getting there," Tauer said. "We've been late to the party, but we're at the punch bowl now." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31, and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/Economic Edge. By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 25, 2014 @ 9:46 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501