Briefly
By Don McLoud
Published in News on February 3, 2004 2:02 PM
Jobless rates drop
The unemployment rate fell slightly in Wayne County in December.
Around 2,649 county residents, or about 5.1 percent of the workforce, were unemployed in December, according to the Employment Security Commission.
That's a decrease of about 144 people from November, when the county's unemployment rate was 5.4 percent.
Correction
CSX does not own the stretch of railroad near Berkeley Boulevard and Royall Avenue as stated in Monday's News-Argus. It is owned by the N.C. Railroad Co. and is under long-term lease to the Norfolk-Southern Corp.
Water interruption
Water service will be interrupted from 8 a.m. until noon on Wednesday for the residents of the 600, 700 and 800 blocks of East Walnut Street from Slocumb Street to Leslie Street. This is necessary for the installation of water valves by city crews. If it rains, the work will be done on Thursday.
Sims representation
Shirley Sims, a member of the Wayne County Board of Education, is representing educators in the state this week on the national level.
She plans to attend the National School Boards Association's annual Federal Relations Network meeting in Washington, D.C. The conference started Monday and will conclude on Wednesday. The ultimate goal of the network is to make public education a top priority of the federal government.
Today, Ms. Sims and other network members planned to discuss the federal No Child Left Behind legislation with congressmen and senators.
Ms. Sims has been an active member of the N.C. School Boards Association for several years. She recently served as an adviser to the State Board of Education.
Kasell tickets left
Tickets remain for this Friday's "An Evening with Carl Kasell."
Participants will watch as former UNC system President William Friday interviews Kasell, a Goldsboro native and veteran National Public Radio newscaster, for UNC-TV's "North Carolina People."
The cost is $50 per person and includes dinner and social time following the taping. It will be held at the Walnut Creek Country Club from 5:45 p.m. until about 9 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased from the Foundation of Wayne Community College office in the Dogwood Building on campus or by calling 735-5151, extension 246.
Got cookies?
The Girl Scouts do.
Deborah Brady of the Girl Scout Council of the Carolinas says don't miss out on the opportunity to buy them. They are available only once a year, from local Girl Scouts.
They're great cookies for a great cause, she says. "Treat yourself and help local Girl Scouts achieve their goals. The annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program provides valuable resources to the troop and the council, which serves over 900 girls in Wayne County."
To order, call 734-6231, extension 116, or e-mail Ms. Brady at dbrady@gscoastalnc.org.
Rose Banquet
The Wayne Council on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention will hold its annual Rose Banquet Feb. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Wayne Center.
It is for youths in grades six through 12.
There will be a spaghetti dinner and entertainment by the Charles B. Aycock show chorus. Members of Wayne County 4-H drama club will perform the Rose skit. Those attending will receive a candy rose and a wallet card. Admission for youths is free. The cost for adults is $6. Youth groups must be accompanied by an adult.
Reservations are required by calling 731-1520.