Douglas, Chelan unemployment rises
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 10 months AGO
ELLENSBURG — Unemployment in Douglas and Chelan counties rose in November 2022 to 5.1% from 4.4% the previous year despite a decline in the two counties’ combined workforce, according to data published this week by the Washington State Employment Security Department.
In the latest data covering both counties, ESD reported that the area’s civilian workforce fell by 122 people to 65,375 in November 2022 compared with the same month in 2021, while total unemployment rose to 3,306 from 2,886 in the previous year. The report said the decline in the civilian workforce in both counties has fallen every month since May, and is now lower than the 66,231 reported in November 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The bottom line: a shrinking labor force is seldom considered good economic news,” report author and ESD Regional Labor Economist Don Meseck wrote.
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Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.