Mahoning Valley unemployment rate improves in Feb.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning Valley’s unemployment rate ticked down to 7.9 percent in February, more than a full percentage point decrease from the same time last year.

But it remained well above the state average, which last month reached its lowest level since 2008 at 6.5 percent.

The number of jobless in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties fell from 23,700 in February 2013 to 20,300 last month, according to data released today by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.

Meanwhile, the Valley boosted its number of employed by 1,400, but it lost 2,000 from its civilian labor force, bringing the total number of Valley residents working or seeking work to 257,000.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com