REGION

REGION
Jobless rates dropin Lawrence, Mercer
The unemployment rates in Mercer and Lawrence counties dropped slightly from August to September. The state Department of Labor & amp; Industry said the jobless rate in Mercer declined from 4 percent to 3.6 percent. The number of people working dropped from 56,200 to 55,700 but the labor force also declined from 58,600 to 57,700, resulting in a lower jobless rate. In Lawrence County, the rate dropped from 5.7 to 5.4 percent. The labor force declined from 40,900 to 40,300 while the number employed also declined, from 38,600 to 38,100.
Forum Health Northsidereceives accreditation
YOUNGSTOWN -- Forum Health's Northside Medical Center has achieved national accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. The commission is dedicated to continuous improvement of the safety and quality of the nation's health care through voluntary accreditation.
N. Kristopher Hoce, Forum president and chief executive, credited the staff at Northside for the day-to-day efforts that helped the hospital achieve accreditation. An on-site survey was completed in September.
Job fair targetsolder job seekers
LIBERTY -- Job seekers age 40 and older can learn about employment opportunities at the 13th annual Youngstown Mature Workers Job Fair, set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at Holiday Inn MetroPlex in Liberty. The event is free and 35 employers have registered to participate, representing professional, clerical, production, customer care, skilled labor and health care fields.
Job seekers should come prepared to distribute r & eacute;sum & eacute;s, meet with employers and, in some cases, to interview on site. Employment counselors will also be available to critique r & eacute;sum & eacute;s and recommend interviewing techniques. The event is sponsored by the Senior Employment Center, a division of Akron-based Mature Services Inc., a nonprofit agency whose primary mission is to serve older adults.
From Vindicator staff reports