Volume 141 No. 40
Friday, December 5, 2014
Single Copy Cost 50¢
Unemployment continues to drop By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
OTTAWA — It’s going to be a much merrier Christmas this year for many Illinois residents than it was last year. October unemployment rates fell for the seventh consecutive month and are at six-or-sevenyear lows in most sections of the state, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. “October’s data reflect a strengthening of local economies. In each area, more people describe themselves as working and employers in most metros report larger payrolls than one year ago,” IDES Direc-
tor Jay Rowell said. “IllinoisJobLink.com remains an important tool to find employment, especially for those who typically did not need a resume.” The October unemployment rate clocked in at 6.6 percent for this October, well below the October 2013 rate of 9.1 percent. However, month-to-month improvement has slowed, with barely a tenth of a percentage point change since September; and with some areas losing jobs due to work slowdowns, it is possible the increase can be attributed to the holiday season and the hiring of seasonal help in retail outlets. Locally, the situation is still not as rosy. While unemployment has continued its downward trek, the rest of the Illinois Valley area still lags behind the rest
At the pumps!
3 ... 2 ... 1 ... Blast off! Science class explores rocketry
By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
Winter usually means lower fuel prices at the pump. People generally drive less when weather gets colder, so with the drop in demand comes a drop in price. This year prices are dropping more than usual. “Gas prices typically decline this time of year, but have fallen more swiftly than typical due to the sharply declining price of crude oil,” Michael Green, public relations manager of the American Automobile Association said. “The cost of crude oil accounts for approximately two-thirds of the price consumers pay for gasoline, which means barring any other factors, gas prices continue to fall as along as crude oil prices decline.” In the last two months, crude oil prices have dropped more than $15 a barrel and currently waver near the $85 mark. The last time crude oil was at that price or lower was late 2010. The price has been falling steadily since a mid-July peak of $115. A barrel of crude oil is roughly 42 gallons. At a price of $84 a barrel, crude oil costs $2 a gallon at that price. Refining and other costs generally add a dollar to the price per gallon. With those factors, and the current oil price of $85.50 per barrel, it’s easy to see why gasoline prices are flirting with the $2.50 level. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, gas prices haven’t been this low since Jan. 3, 2011. The good news about the lower gasoline prices means people have more money
At the pumps Page 3
of the state with only metropolitan Peoria logging a higher rate. LaSalle County unemployment figures weigh in at 7.9 percent, with Bureau County following at 7.6, down from last year’s totals of 11.1 and 8.8 respectively. Peoria’s jobless rate is 8.1 percent. By contrast, neighboring Putnam County received some good news. The latest figures show a massive drop in the unemployment rate to 6.6 percent, down from 9.3; the first time since early 2010 the county has been close to the state average. National unemployment remains lower than Illinois. U.S. unemployment stands at 5.8 percent. Traditionally, Illinois records higher unemployment figures, with the jobless rate being lower than the national average only six times since recording began.
By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
LASALLE — On a cold December afternoon, Alexa Zimbleman of Lostant and her team at LaSalle-Peru Township High School are standing near the 50-yard line on the school’s practice field. While the temperature hovers around 15 degrees — before taking into account the 10 mph breeze from the north — it’s still a perfect day for a rocket launch. “We’ve been talking about Newton’s laws in class, and this is going to relate to that,” Zimbleman said. “I think it’s going to be fun. I can’t wait to see how it goes.” Phil Baughman’s science class learned how to make model rockets as part of a physics lesson. The cardboard and plastic rockets fly due to a dry fuel propellant ignited by electric charge. “This has been fun. We get to use what we’re learning,” Zimbleman said. “When I took the job, the hiring teacher said, ‘Do you do rockets?’ I said ‘Sure, Why not?’” Baughman said. “We just got done learning Newton’s First and Third Laws. Newton’s Third Law is ‘For every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction,’ and the entire premise of rockets is based off that. Plus, it’s fun.” Baughman and his class were able to fire off their rockets successfully; although one needed an engine replacement and promptly detonated at the height of its flight. Despite the explosion, the rocket survived relatively intact. It wasn’t a bad day considering it was Baughman’s first rocket launches. “This is my first time using these rockets,” Baughman said. “When I did my student teaching, we used huge two-liter water bottles, for a bottle Tonica News photo/Ken Schroeder rocket launch. This is my first time Alexa Zimbleman (left) of Lostant and her crew watch their rocket lift-off during a science class playing with these, and it’s been an at LaSalle-Peru High School. experience.”
Vol. 141 No. 40
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