REGION

REGION
Unemployment rates decline in local counties
The Lawrence County unemployment rate declined five-tenths of a percentage point to 5.1 percent in September. The rate in neighboring Mercer County dropped by the same margin to 4.1 percent. The labor force shrunk as students left summer jobs to return to school, labor officials said.
Both employment and unemployment dropped over the month in Lawrence County. Total jobs in Lawrence County rose by 700 in September. Most were school-related increases. Over the year jobs are down 300 with most losses concentrated in goods-producing industries.
Mercer County had the same number of people working at 55,400 but the number seeking employment dropped by 300 to 2,400 as seasonal jobs ended. The number of jobs in Mercer County was down by 200 from the same time last year.
Software training seminarfor health-care industry
BOARDMAN -- Microsys Computing in Boardman is conducting a two-day software training seminar this week for about 500 health-care industry professionals from across the country. The event, held at Mr. Anthony's in Boardman, ends today. Microsys is a designer and provider of medical practice management software.
From Vindicator staff reports