Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 8

A8 Thursday, March 26, 1998 Mid-HlinoU Newspapers Douglas County has lowest local obless rate curity office in Mount Vernon. "Employment advances were reported in both professional and nonprofessional services," Hoffman said. "Wholesale trade firms added workers at the beginning of 1998. Mild weather conditions enabled construction companies to recall some laborers." There were layoffs in the retail sector following the holiday season, Hoffman added. The February unemployment figures for the area include: CLARK Sixty more people were working in February than during January, dropping the unemployment rate from 6.5 per cent to 5.9 percent in February.

COLES The state agency reports there were two fewer people out of work in February than during January.but the overall jobless rate remained the same. The 4.8 percent rate is above the 4.5 percent mark one year ago in February. CUMBERLAND The rate dropped from 7.1 percent in January to 6.2 percent in February still the highest unemployment rate in the seven counties. DOUGLAS The jobless rate of 4.4 percent was down from 4.6 percent in January. EDGAR The rate dropped from 5.7 percent in January to 5.3 percent in February.

MOULTRIE Theunemploy-ment rate of 4.5 percent was second-lowest in the area and down from 4.8 percent in January. SHELBY The rate dropped a full percentage point in one month, from 6.2 percent to 5.2 percent in February. Other area county unemployment figures for February include: Champaign, 3.1 percent; Effingham, 5.9 percent; Jasper, 12.3 percent; and Macon, 6.4 percent In Illinois, the February jobless rate was 5.2 percent while the national unemployment figure was 5.0 percent SLHM jrQw-TV, FURNITURE Douglas County's unemployment rate leads the area in the percentage of people working. Douglas Countysunemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent in tiieChariestcn-Mattoonarea. Unemployment was down in six of the seven counties.

The lone exception was Coles County, where the 4.8 percent jobless rate was the same in both January and February. Unemployment was down throughout east-central and south-central Illinois, according to Dennis Hoffman of the Illinois Department of Employment Se- CROSS COUNTY MALL Baseball camp at Lake Land MATTOON Lake Land College Baseball Coach Gene Creek will host a spring baseball camp for youth ages 7-13, Mondays, April 13, 20 and 27 from p.m. at the Lake Land College baseball field. Youths may attend one, two or three days of the camp. "This is one of our most popular camps.

Last year 72 campers attended," said Coach Creek. Different aspects of the game will be highlighted during the camp. Creek said that the camp will mostly focus on fielding and hitting. Lake Land's players will be dressed in uniform and will be responsible for the supervision and safety of individual campers. Campers should bring a baseball glove, bat (if possible) and hat and wear appropriate shoes and clothing.

The cost of the camp is $15 per day or $30 for all three days. Registration and payment can be paid up to the day of camp. All participants attending at least two days will receive a free Lake Land baseball T-shirt. Additional T-shirts may be purchased for $10, and Lake Land College adjustable hats may be purchased for $15 each. Lake Land plans piano workshop MATTOON LakeLand College will be hosting a piano workshop from 9 a.m.

to noon, and in Paris, from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The cost of this non-credit course is $45, which includes a textbook and 60 minute instructional tape. The "Chord Piano Method," will be taught by Scott Houston, who teaches students to play piano without reading music. Houston has taught for 10 years.

Students will learn how to use chords instead of the traditional note-for-note music reading. Knowledge of the names of notes in the treble clef is recommended. Enrollment is limited. To register, or for further information, call Lake Land College at FRIDAY, SATURDAY SUNDAY P.I ARCH 27, 28 29 A PERENNIAL FAVORITE COMES TO CROSS COUNTY MALL Talk with the experts and see the latest Lawn and Qarden Equipment at this weekend's show PARTICIPATING DEALERS ONIEMEYER KUBOTA SALES REINHART FORD TRACTORS, INC. TRI-AD SALES SERVICE ALL PRO TREE SERVICE STUTZMAN'S FENCE SYSTEMS MAXEDON LANDSCAPING HELMUTH LAWN FURNITURE RURAL KING FOUR SEASONS GARDEN CENTER CENTRAL POWER PRODUCTS ROYALTY FENCE COLES COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE MASTER GARDNERS MILLER STORAGE BUILDINGS POWER PLUS JCPENNEY SEARS Cr -m-fs.

tn t-'f i it? i Ll IbwiivWtuttit I iJ I v. Psacyc rj :1 4 ct Cross 1 1 THE IDEAL GIFT! A CROSS COUNTY MALL GIFT CERTIFICATE 1 1 A FRIDAY, SATURDAY SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 28 29 NON-PROFIT GROUPS J3 fnc MA Cran County MaM la Conveniently Located -700 Broadway East Mtttoon WHhEaay AcomFrwnl70nma.16ExHWaatto3rd.StopligM-Not1tiSld MALL HOURS: Monday-Saturday 10-9; Sunday 12-5. Some stores have extended hours. ELDER-BEERMAN JCPENNEY SEARS and a wide variety of specialty stores to serve your shopping needs SQQ ITTTifiV UlTlntfrlTim women's Percent savings off every day low prices not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Excludes already sale priced bedding.

fashion sandals We show just a few Dlba Desfra Diba Venus Rej.l.W With Approved Credit styles from our selection of slides, slings, platforms and strap sandals. Befffnlfensen Gloria Vondeitft Sy Ref.24.W Nina SWaytTePajrt 41asterCsrd Vlsa Discover Helllg-Meyen Card ln-Store Credit VISA Sale price! effective through Sunday, April S. mm CP-: FURNITURE Cross County Mall JVIattoon 234-7686 301 Richmond Ave. East Mattoon Near Cross County Mall 235-5635.