Panhandle Jobless Rate Rises

Sat., April 3, 1999

From Staff

An early spring thaw contributed to higher unemployment rates in Idaho’s panhandle last month.

March’s unemployment rate was forecast at 8.9 percent for the five northern counties, up 0.5 percent from February.

Trucking and logging industries had lower employment levels because muddy conditions made it difficult for trucks to get into the woods, according to the state Labor Department. Kootenai County had an 8.4 unemployment rate in March, up 0.6 percent from February. Boundary County’s rate dropped 0.5 percent to 8.1 percent, and Bonner County’s rate increased 0.4 percent to 9.1.

Shoshone County’s unemployment rate edged up 0.4 percent to 11.3 percent. Benewah County had a 11.8 percent unemployment rate in March, a 0.9 percent gain from the previous month.

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Panhandle Jobless Rate Rises

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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