A project to improve the water lines for Rural Water District 1C in the Antonino area faced no opposition during a public hearing at the Ellis County Commission meeting Monday night. Corrina Cox with Northwest Planning and Development explained that the project will improve water pressure and access.

A grant application will be submitted to the Kansas Department of Commerce to finance the project. Twenty-eight people have agreed to volunteer, which would meet one of the grant requirements.

The county commission approved an interlocal agreement with the water district, giving the district primary responsibility for project oversight.

The January 2012 Labor Report shows continued improvement across the state including a decline in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate and an over the year gain in nonfarm jobs.

According to January 2012 estimates, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.1 percent, down from 6.4 percent in December 2011. Kansas gained 12,200 nonfarm jobs over the year (a 0.9 percent increase) and 22,200 private sector jobs, indicating a decline in government jobs.

“The continued growth of private sector jobs is particularly encouraging. We hope this pace continues through 2012,” Karin Brownlee, Kansas Secretary of Labor, said.

Due a decline of the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to below 6.5 percent, the State Extended Benefits program will expire in Kansas on April 7, 2012. The end of this program is a result of our growing economy.

Eight of the 11 major industries in Kansas reported over-the-year job gains. The increase in construction jobs, 7.9 percent, is especially promising because this industry historically loses jobs in January.

“Kansas started off the year with healthy job growth and a declining unemployment rate. These are both welcome signs,” Tyler Tenbrink, Labor Economist, said. “If the trend continues, Kansas will be in a position to carry on a more sustained recovery.”

Initial unemployment benefit claims in January decreased both over the month and over the year. Continued benefit claims for the month decreased over the year, but increased since December. These claims include Regular, Extended Benefit and Emergency Unemployment Compensation claims.

While the number of jobs has increased since January 2011, nonfarm jobs decreased over the month due to seasonal changes. This decrease amounted to a 1.9 percent decline in nonfarm jobs since December 2011.

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Kansas was 6.4 percent, down from 7.5 percent one year ago and up from 6 percent in December. These numbers include seasonal changes influenced by weather, holidays and the closing of schools. Therefore, the seasonally adjusted unemployment numbers are a better indicator of the actual labor market.

It will be sunny, warm and breezy today with very low relative humidity in the afternoon. Fire danger will be very high.

Very warm weather will persist through early next week with only small chances for thunderstorms on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Today: Sunny, with a high near 84. South wind between 8 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. South southwest wind between 11 and 13 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind between 9 and 13 mph.

Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 11pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind between 10 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 79. South wind between 6 and 8 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 79.

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Oil & Gas Report 3/12/12
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