DeKalb Unemployment Rate Increased in October

November 27, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Unemployment Rate went back up in October to 8.4% compared to 6.2% in September. The rate for October, 2019 was 5.2%.

The local labor force for October was 7,615. A total of 6,974 were employed and 641 were without work.

Many Tennessee counties experienced changes in their unemployment rates during October 2020, according to newly released data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).

Unemployment in 93 of Tennessee’s 95 counties increased in October. Davidson and Sevier counties saw their rates decrease during the month.

During October, two counties in the state had unemployment rates below 5%, 90 counties had rates of 5% or greater, and three counties recorded rates of 10% or higher.

Williamson County had the state’s lowest unemployment in October with a rate of 4.6%, which is up 0.8 of a percentage point from its revised September rate of 3.8%

Shelby County recorded October’s highest jobless rate in Tennessee. At 11%, the county’s unemployment increased by 0.7 of a percentage point when compared to the previous month’s revised rate of 10.3%.

Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate increased during October. The preliminary, seasonally adjusted, statewide unemployment rate for October 2020 is 7.4%, an increase of 0.9 of a percentage point from September’s revised rate of 6.5%.

Nationally, unemployment decreased from September’s revised rate of 7.9% to 6.9% in October. The U.S. rate is 3.3 percentage points higher than it was in October 2019.

Tennessee employers are ready to help the state’s economy rebound by hiring individuals to meet their business needs. Jobs4TN.gov, Tennessee’s workforce development website, currently has over 240,000 open positions for workers of varying skill levels.

Jobs4TN.gov also offers online assistance with writing a resume that will catch the attention of employers, advice on how to engage and impress during job interviews, and details about potential job training opportunities.

There are more than 80 American Job Centers across Tennessee that are open for business and offering job seekers one-on-one personalized assistance. Career specialists are ready to work with individuals to devise a reemployment plan that will help them rejoin the state’s workforce.

All the assistance is free to anyone who needs help finding a new job or career path.

November 27, 2020
By: Bill Conger

Eighty people went on the golf greens at RiverWatch Golf Club for the annual Haven of Hope Golf Tournament. Thanks to the 20 teams of 4 and sponsors, the not-for-profit raised close to $10,000 at its largest fundraiser yet.

“We would like to say thank you to the participants, sponsors, and volunteers who helped to make the tournament a success,” said Haven of Hope Executive Director Samanthia Curtis, LPC-MHSP. “At this time this is the only fundraiser that we do annually.”

Proceeds from the tourney directly benefit clients who need scholarships to help pay for mental health services, classes in anger management, parenting and other topics, and additional professional training for counselors. Donations are accepted year round and can also be made on the Haven website at www.havenofhopetn.org.

The Haven of Hope would like to thank corporate sponsors First Bank of Smithville, Smithville First Baptist Church, Harney’s Nursey along with the following sponsors: Paula and Michael Arrington, Jim and Rita Bell, Jerry and Denise Brown, Thomas and Jane Groom, Dr. Doug and Brenda Hooper, Jean Marie Meyers, Dr. Kevin and Amy Rhody, Kay and John Quintero, Ed Whitford, A Degree Above, DeKalb County Insurance, DeKalb Farm Bureau, DeKalb Recovery Court, Dr. Cliff Duke, F. Z. Webb & Sons Pharmacy, Family Medical Center, Family Chiropractic, Foutch Eye Care, Hendrix Financial Group, House Construction, Janney & Associates, CPA, Johnson Chiropractic Clinic, Judkins Lawn Care, Kelly Overby Insurance, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Project Home Help, St. Thomas DeKalb, Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Sober Living Services, Sullivan Walker Homes, Sunbelt Real Estate Company, Webb Anesthesia Services, White Possom Grill, and Wilson Bank and Trust.

November 27, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

If you are creative in the kitchen and enjoy tinkering with recipes, you should consider joining the DeKalb Chopped Virtual Challenge.

The UT – TSU Extension Office in DeKalb County and St. Thomas DeKalb are sponsoring this contest which begins on December 2. The contest will be online and participants will prepare their dishes at home. The public will vote online through Facebook each week and a panel of judges will also weigh in.

More details about the DeKalb Chopped Challenge are on the UT-TSU Extension DeKalb County Facebook page or their website at https://dekalb.tennessee.edu/

Registration is due by December 2 when the competition begins. Contact April Martin at amartin3@utk.edu or 615-597-4945 if you have questions.