1 Front Volume 141 No. 32
Friday, October 3, 2014
Single Copy Cost 50¢
LaSalle County unemployment still falling Percentage still among the highest in the state By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
It’s still good news/bad news for LaSalle County in the unemployment picture. While unemployment has dropped precipitously from 11.1 percent to 8.8 percent since August 2013, the county still has one of the highest unemployment percentages in the state. Only Bureau and Mason counties have higher rates with 8.9 percent and 9.1 percent respectively. Four metropolitan areas are listed as having worse unemployment rates: Rockford, Peoria, Kankakee and Decatur. Statewide, unemployment rates in August fell in every metro for the fifth consecutive month and are at six- and seven-year lows, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Rates also fell in all 102 counties for the third consecutive month. The data, which is not seasonally adjusted, compares August 2014 with August 2013 and does not remove the effects of regular or seasonal patterns. “This is encouraging news — more people working than one year ago and fewer people describing themselves as unemployed,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “We
now will look to see how the falling unemployment rate trend unfolds as employers continue to add permanent jobs, and we begin to experience seasonal hiring.” “Also, area employers advertised for 5,100 positions in August, and approximately 85 percent sought full-time employment, according to Help Wanted OnLine data compiled by the Conference Board. It is a global, independent business membership and research association,” Greg Rivara, director of Information Strategies for IDES said. “Employers actually need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates because some industries, such as construction, typically don’t advertise job openings.” The leisure and hospitality industry recorded job growth in most metropolitan areas with 10 out of 12 areas reporting new jobs. The August 2014 not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 6.7 percent compared to 9.1 percent one year ago. Nationally, the rate was 6.3 percent in August and 7.3 percent one year ago. The rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits. Historically, the state unemployment rate is higher than the national rate.
Tonica News photo/Ken Schroeder
DDP Yoga instructor Matt Hancock (left) leads Tonica Grade School students through their paces during a reward day Sept. 22. Hancock is a lifelong friend of Superintendent John Suarez and was the first qualified Level 1 instructor for DDP Yoga, a program that mixes ordinary yoga techniques with strength training, Pilates and mixed martial arts.
Yoga — Tonica Grade School style Students, staff get a workout By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — Through the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports program, the teachers and administration have rewarded their students in some creative ways for good behavior and academic work. There have been scooter races and dancing in the hallways ... among other things. Now you can add yoga to the list.
Matt Hancock, owner of Hammer’s Energy Fitness LLC in LaSalle, came to the school on Sept. 22 and led the lower grades — and their teachers — through an hour yoga session the students enjoyed immensely. “When I told one of the kids what we were going to do, he said, ‘Yoga? I’m not going to do that.’ He just wasn’t open to it,” Tonica Grade School Superintendent John Suarez said. “I did the workout with them, and when I saw the boy in the crowd, he was joining in.” “This is one of the best schools I’ve been to,” Hancock said. “The kids were open; they
were attentive; and they tried. There were a few kids here and there going through the motions, but I think they had fun, and most of them were really trying.” Hancock does not look like a yoga instructor. With his shaved head, muscular frame and goatee, he looks like he would be more at home in a boxing ring. With an infectious, upbeat demeanor, he led the students through their paces in the school gymnasium. “Matt and I grew up together,” Suarez said. “We went to school together, and he’s always been a fun person. I knew that this would be a lot of fun.”
Apparently, what he’s doing is catching on. “I started the business back at the beginning of the year in January. I quit my full-time job as of March,” Hancock said. “I called it ‘Hammer Energy’ because ‘Hammer’ was my nickname and ‘Energy’ because I’m kind of crazy.” Yoga might seem like a boring thing for grade school students, but this isn’t your mother’s yoga. This is quite a bit different; unique in fact. Hancock is one of very few instructors in the country that is certified in DDP Yoga, a program designed by former pro
Yoga Page 2
Lostant 2015 calendar nearing completion Publication has a waiting list for advertisers By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT — A long-standing tradition continues in Lostant as the Lostant Ladies’ League gathers the information for the village’s annual calen-
dar. Although the ladies league is now in charge of the calendar, they didn’t begin the tradition. “The Methodist Church did it, but that was a long time ago,” Norma Lightle of the Lostant Ladies League said. “Originally, we had a lady who came from the company that printed this, and she was very pushy. One of the ladies in the league said, ‘Why don’t we just do it ourselves?’ We’ve been doing it since 1976-
77.” The calendar is a chronicle of the village residents with birthdays and anniversaries listed on each day in the calendar. Lightle said many former residents order a copy so they can stay in touch with the people and events in Lostant. “We have a number to call if there are changes, and we do get changes,” Lightle said. “People will see us and ask us to change a birthday or anniversary.”
“We have super people in the club who know all the stuff,” Marlena Simeck said. “Really, we haven’t had too many problems that way.” The calendar is printed at St. Bede, and though the ladies try to keep the calendar as accurate as possible, Lightle said it isn’t easy. “It is tricky. When we used to go through it, sometimes we just assumed they’d make the change, but it didn’t always happen,” Lightle said.
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While the Lostant Ladies League is bearing the torch aloft, Simeck noted the members of the league are getting older and have looked for someone else to pick up the task. “We’ve asked other groups if they would be interested in doing it — younger groups — and nobody is, so we keep it,” she said. Local businesses support the calendar with advertising. Lightle said the sup-
port is so strong there’s currently a waiting list for new advertisers for the calendar. Time is running out to add new resident birthdays and anniversaries. “I try to have it to the printers by mid-October. Depending on how busy St. Bede is, we can have it back by early November,” Lightle said. Additions and corrections to the calendar can be made by calling 815-3683422.
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