Here's some much-needed news for U.S. citizens, the number of unemployment claims fell for the second consecutive week last week, according to a weekly government report released Thursday. First-time unemployment claims fell from 478,000 down to 472,000 in the week ending on August 28th, according to the Labor Department's weekly report. By comparison, economists were expecting 475,000 new claims. Unemployment rates in the country also dropped 23,000 to 4.456 million in the week ending on August 21st.
Recently in Business Category
Here's some much-needed news for U.S. citizens, the number of unemployment claims fell for the second consecutive week last week, according to a weekly government report released Thursday. First-time unemployment claims fell from 478,000 down to 472,000 in the week ending on August 28th, according to the Labor Department's weekly report. By comparison, economists were expecting 475,000 new claims. Unemployment rates in the country also dropped 23,000 to 4.456 million in the week ending on August 21st.
After weeks of back and forth opinions on whether or not Watauga County should adopt a quarter-cent sales tax increase, the decision has been made. Watauga County citizens voted heavily against the tax hike as 4,428 citizens voted against the tax referendum, and 2,705 voted for it. Only about 18 percent of Watauga County voters went to the polls, but of those, approximately 62 percent voted against the tax increase. That total included early voting ballots in which 1,599 were against and 988 were for the quarter-cent sales tax increase for an indoor recreation center and community center. The tax referendum would have accrued about $1.9 million in annual revenue and would have put sales tax for the most retail goods at 8 percent. Before the sales tax referendum was defeated, seven of the last nine local county sales-tax increases in North Carolina had passed. Well, even after the sales tax increase was defeated, county officials say that they are still leaving the possibility of a new indoor recreation center on the table. According to Watauga County manager Rocky Nelson, the plans to build a new recreation facility were contingent on the sales tax increase being adopted,and while there isn't a current backup plan, officials will still keep it in future considerations. While nothing has been discussed extensively, commissioners are allotted as many sales-tax votes as they want as long as its not within a 30-day window of a regular or primary election, and some counties within the state have held as many as four sales-tax referendums before passing them into law.
Blue Ridge EMC has issued a warning to copper thieves to stay away from electric utility substations because of the danger involved, in addition to the criminal consequences. While substations have signs posted throughout that read "DANGER--KEEP OUT," that still doesn't keep some people out that are in search of copper. Blue Ridge Electric wants to remind these people that past thieves have been hurt or killed while attempting to break-in and steal copper from electric substations. So they have issued a couple of tips to ensure the safety of everyone. First, if you see any unusual activity in or around substations, towers, utility poles, storage sites and other electric utility property, report it to your local electric cooperative or law enforcement agency immediately. And secondly, no one should ever climb substation fences, utility poles or towers. People should also stay away from substations and transformers. Activity like this is hazardous and can result in severe injury and even death. Only trained, professional line technicians and utility workers should ever be in or around a substation, power poles and lines, or other electric facilities.
Blue Ridge EMC is happy to announce that in July, North Carolina lawmakers expanded the state's 'move over law' to include electric utility vehicles restoring power on the sides of roadways. The 'move over law' requires motorists to slow down and cautiously approach emergency vehicles with flashing lights, moving over one lane when possible. Beginning in December, the law will encompass electric utility vehicles that are stopped, with amber lights flashing, on roadway shoulders. The expanded law protects electric utility workers as they work to maintain power lines or restore power in local communities and along North Carolina's highways. Director of public relations Renee Whitener, says that this inclusion of electrical workers into the law will keep Blue Ridge EMC employees safe, because much like me and you, they have families that they want to return home to safely as well. Although the law does not take effect until December 1, residents are encouraged to begin the practice of moving over and slowing down if they see an electric utility vehicle. This will help protect the safety of not only the workers, but also the drivers. Since Blue Ridge Electric's service area is typically in areas that experience severe winter weather, moving over will help drivers become accustomed to "thinking safety" and moving over for line workers well before ice or snow typically arrive and the new law takes effect.
Authorities are vowing to prosecute anyone who attempts to damage or remove any political signs related to the sales tax vote or any other. The response comes after District Attorney Jerry Wilson said that a Burke County group has reportedly planned to remove all political signs from Watauga County this election season. According to the press release sent by Wilson, anyone who doesn't obey this policy will be prosecuted in a "very serious manner." Now, the policy doesn't apply to the owner of the signs or anyone working for Wilson, the law enforcement, the Department of Transportation, or private property owners who did not authorize the signs to be placed. To date, only a few signs opposing the sales tax increase have been stolen according to Boone Police.
As the August 31st voting deadline is just one day away, numbers from the early voting for the sales tax referendum are in, and are pretty impressive. According to election officials, 2,566 people placed an early ballot during the early voting period of the roughly 40,000 registered voters in Watauga County. Since the voting deadline for the quarter-cent sales tax increase is not during the general election and is not a primary, the turnout is expected to be low, but county officials have to be impressed by the strong turnout in the early voting. Whether you support the tax hike or are opposed, make sure to get out and vote tomorrow. The polls will be open from 6:30am to 7:30pm, and to find polling places near you, just visit www.wataugacounty.org.
The North Carolina Employment Security Commission has released their latest county-by-county unemployment, and the High Country saw some more progress as Watauga, Avery, and Ashe all saw unemployment rates drop in the month of July. Watauga had the biggest drop in the High Country, with unemployment falling from 7.6 percent in June to 7.4 percent in July. Meanwhile, Avery and Ashe County each fell one-tenth of a percent with Ashe's unemployment rate falling under 11 percent to 10.9 percent, and Avery's dropping to 8 percent. Overall, 86 of the 100 counties in North Carolina saw a decrease in their unemployment rates, and the state of North Carolina's unemployment rate fell to 9.9 percent in the month of July. Still, state officials say the state continues to struggle with unemployment, as six counties saw unemployment increase and eight counties saw it remain the same. State officials also added that over half of North Carolina's counties have unemployment rates over 10 percent, so while progress is being made, there's still a long ways to go.
Boone is getting ready to celebrate a grand opening in September. The Wal-mart in Boone is holding a grand opening celebration on Wednesday, September 8th to show off the freshly renovated store. The new Wal-mart store has been expanded to 150,000 square feet, will feature a full line of groceries, and will be open 24/7. The store, which already employs about 350 people, will now add 80 new jobs to the community. The grand opening will begin at 7:30am at the store on Blowing Rock Road, and will officially usher in the new improvements to the Boone Wal-mart.
The Town of Beech Mountain has eased up on the current water restrictions, reducing the water sanctions from Stage 3, Mandatory Water Reduction II to Stage 2, Mandatory Water Reduction I status. While conditions for water supply have improved, the current water supply for the town is still well-below the average for this time of the year. Under the lowered water restrictions, consumers must still cut their water usage by 10 percent, and they must obey a series of restrictions including: irrigation is limited to a half inch per week between 8PM and 8AM; you can only wash full loads in clothes and dishwashers; you must prevent water waste and runoff; you can only use spring-loaded nozzles on garden hoses; you must identify and repair all water leaks, outdoor use of drinking water for washing impervious surfaces is prohibited; and all testing and training purposes requiring drinking water (e.g. fire protection) will be limited. Violators will be given a warning on their first violation, they will be issued a $250 fine on their second offense, and their third offense will result in their water being cut off. If you see someone violating the new restrictions, the Town of Beech Mountain asks that you call 828-387-2342. The Town would also like to thank its customers for their conservation efforts thus far, as well as their continued efforts while Beech Mountain remains in mandatory restriction status.
Well, for one McDonald's restaurant, an electrical fire turned things very dangerous for customers and employees on Sunday. According to firefighters, the fire started on Sunday afternoon at approximately 1:53 at the Hickory McDonald's on 2511 North Center Street. By the time firefighters had arrived, the building had been evacuated and light smoke had been reported in the upstairs of the building. After investigating, firefighters determined that the fire started in the basement in the electrical panel. No one was injured in the fire, but the damages are estimated at $20,000. Fire investigators determined the fire to be electrical and failure of equipment.