REGION

REGION
Jobless rate in Valleydrops below Ohio average
October jobless figures in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties dropped more than the state average, based on data released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The state unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in October, down from 5.8 percent in September. The state said 5.8 percent of Mahoning County workers were unemployed in October, down from 6.5 percent in September. Trumbull's rate was 5.5 percent, down from 6.7 percent the previous month; and Columbiana County's was 5.9 percent, down from 6.8 percent.
Youngstown's jobless rate dropped from 11.4 percent in September to 10.2 percent in October.
Seminar will explainsmall-business loans
CHAMPION -- U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, will sponsor a seminar on small businesses from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Kent State University Trumbull Campus in the Classroom Administration Building, Lecture Hall A. Pre-registration is not required. For more information, call the congressman's office, (800) 856-4156.
From Vindicator staff reports