Scott Maben

The unemployment rate in Spokane County dropped to 8.2 percent in July, from 8.9 percent in June. But what looks like a sign of recovery mostly just reflects a smaller work force. The numbers of employed and unemployed both decreased last month as the labor force shrank by 2,850 workers, the state Employment Security Department reported Tuesday. The lower jobless rate mainly reflects fewer workers, not more jobs, explained Doug Tweedy, the agency’s regional labor economist in Spokane. On a positive note, private employment in July was up slightly – the first time that has happened in a long time, Tweedy said. Industries beginning to boost employment are transportation and warehousing; health services; and leisure and hospitality.

The unemployment rate in Spokane County dropped to 8.2 percent in July, from 8.9 percent in June. That looks like a sign of recovery, but that might be wishful thinking.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment in Idaho rose half a percentage point in June, to 8.3 percent. It’s the highest jobless rate since October 1983, the state Department of Labor said Thursday. The jobless rate in Kootenai County also rose half a percentage point, to 8.6 percent. Unemployment fell in some rural counties in North Idaho as warmer weather and federal stimulus dollars created more work.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment in Idaho rose half a percentage point in June, to 8.3 percent. It’s the highest jobless rate since October 1983, the state Department of Labor said today.

Idaho’s unemployment rate jumped to 7.8 percent in May, a 22-year high. Nearly 5,600 workers lost their jobs last month, pushing the statewide total to 58,300, the Idaho Department of Labor said today.

Spokandy Chocolatier, the 96-year-old Spokane candy maker, has closed two of its four retail locations. The Northtown Mall and Valley Mall stores closed Monday. Sales will be handled out of Spokandy’s factory headquarters, at 1412 West Third Ave., in Spokane, and at the retail store in Ironwood Center in Coeur d’Alene, the company said.

Steve Barnhart says it’s a miracle his young son survived a gruesome farm accident last week in North Idaho. “We expect a full recovery,” the father said today, adding that the family wants to thank the public for an outpouring of support and prayers.

Sherwin-Williams Co. will close its Columbia Paint and Coatings manufacturing facility in Spokane, eliminating 37 jobs. The paint-making plant on Haven Street opened 36 years ago. No retail paint stores are closing, said company spokesman Mike Conway. Sherwin-Williams acquired Helena, Mont.-based Columbia Paint in 2007.

A joint effort by the YWCA and YMCA to build two big community centers in Spokane is emerging as a model of collaboration for nonprofits, especially in lean times when groups compete for fewer donor dollars. For more than a century the two organizations pursued distinct missions and operated separate facilities. Now they’ll share buildings in central and north Spokane and cooperate on services for kids and families.

The long winter has ended in Wallace. The last of a big pile of snow on the edge of town was reduced to a wet spot on the ground Friday, more than five weeks after the last snowfall in the Silver Valley.

Visitors to a wolf education center and store in Bonner County had an unexpected demonstration of the animal's hunting instinct. Four tourists from Charlotte, N.C., were at Wolf People on U.S. Highway 95 across from Lake Cocolalla on Wednesday when a pair of domesticated arctic timberwolves chased down and killed a deer right in front of them.

The Fort Sherman Symphonette, barely half a year old, is preparing to take its audience back to the late 19th century with a little Dvorak, a little Strauss and a new composition based on themes from military bugle calls. The 50-member community orchestra, conducted by music director and historian Robert Singletary, will perform Wednesday night in a concert that will bring to a close the month- long Fort Sherman Days celebration in Coeur d'Alene.

All parents, regardless of income or experience, can benefit from the support given by programs such as Parents as Teachers. The idea is to help mothers and fathers help their children learn to eat, sleep, walk, talk, read, share – any number of important developmental skills leading up to kindergarten.

Kootenai County Deputy Sheriff Charles Sciortino was justified in shooting Victor Leon in the chest and right arm during a confrontation March 14, county Prosecutor Bill Douglas said in a report released Monday. Douglas said the officer, who fired his .45-caliber pistol four times at Leon, was justified in using deadly force when Leon, driving a Dodge pickup truck, allegedly drove in a manner that could have harmed bystanders.

Several days of heavy snowfall in the mountains of North Idaho have raised the avalanche danger. The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center issued a special advisory Tuesday morning saying the danger had increased since Friday morning, when the hazard was rated as moderate. At least two feet of new snow fell in higher elevations over the weekend and Monday.