Briefly
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on October 31, 2004 2:03 AM
Museum event
The Wayne County Museum will have a "Handmade Specialty Event" on Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Baked goods, natural handmade crafts and silk flower arrangements will be for sale at the museum, and proceeds from the sales will benefit the museum. For more information, call 734-5023. The museum is at 116 N. William St. in Goldsboro.
Unemployment rate falls
The unemployment rate fell in Wayne County in September.
There were 1,931 county residents, or about 3.8 percent of the workforce, unemployed, according to the Employment Security Commission.
That's a decrease of 205 people from August, when the county's unemployment rate was 4.2 percent.
The statewide rate in September was 4.4 percent, which was down from 4.9 percent.
The unemployment rate in surrounding counties was Duplin, 5.2 percent in August to 4.7 percent in September; Johnston, 3.1 to 3.0 percent; Sampson, 5.0 to 4.5 percent; Lenoir, 4.6 to 4.2 percent; and Wilson, 9.7 to 7.5 percent.
For the seventh consecutive month, Vance County had the state's highest unemployment rate in September, 10.7 percent. For the sixth consecutive month, Currituck County had the state's lowest unemployment rate at 1.4 percent.
Retiree medical care
The Air Force has announced that in an effort to maintain the high quality medical care provided by the 4th Medical Group at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, some retirees who receive medical care on base will be transferred to health-care providers off base.
This move is in response to heavy deployments the 4th Fighter Wing has sustained in support of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the wing commander, Col. Mike Holmes.
The medical group's manning has decreased significantly as many health-care providers and support personnel have been deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The exact number of transferees has not been determined yet, but it is expected to range from 250 to 1,000 people, according to 4th Medical Group Commander Col. Donna Lake.
The Tricare Service Center has walk-in hours for person-to-person help; the Healthnet Web site, www.healthnetfederalservices.com, is a source of information, and the Tricare 800 number is 1-877-TRICARE. For more information, call the 4th Medical Group at 722-1987.
Christmas parade
Entries are still being accepted for the Goldsboro Jaycees Christmas Parade. The parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. in downtown Goldsboro. The theme for the parade is Christmastime in Olde Goldsborough. Deadline to avoid late fees is Nov. 20.
Entry forms are available at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce at 308 N. William St. or by e-mailing the Jaycees at GoldsboroJaycees@nc.rr.com.
New this year is the ability to view additional information regarding the parade, download an entry form or submit an entry on line by going to the Jaycees Web site at http://home.nc.rr.com/goldsborojaycees/index_files/parade_information.html. For more information, contact Michael Casey at GoldsboroJaycees@nc.rr.com or by phone at 222-8280 or Allison Taylor at kennedy0319@yahoo.com or by phone at 734-6848.