By Luke Brantley
Staff Writer

By Scott Johnson
General Manager

By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer

By LOUIS MELLINI
Staff Writer

As help wanted signs have been seen popping up nationwide as the country bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Marion County jobless rate has taken a slight dip from 2.8% to 2.5% from March to April, a stark contrast from the 10.5% unemployment rate last year at this time.

Two-hour class begins 1:30 p.m. at Tombigbee

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

It’s time to step up your game on your business’ website and social media page.

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. -  A local boxer will be traveling to the Sunshine State in hopes of securing a title belt.
Trevon Daquan Thomas, 19, Guin, will be traveling to southeast Florida on Aug. 28-30 to complete in the 2020 Sugar Bert Boxing National Qualifier - World Boxing Council  (WBC) Green Belt Challenge at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda.

HAMILTON - International Cultural Exchange Services of Hurricane, W. Va., has announced Tammie Northam as a new local coordinator.
Northam will be working with families and schools in Hamilton and in the surrounding area. As the local coordinator, Northam is available to answer questions, give advice and provide general support to students and host families throughout the experience.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak hitting Marion County, local businesses have stepped up to the occasion to do what they can to help preserve much-needed personal protection equipment (PPE).
Sugar Bend Sewing in Hamilton has been operating for three years and, on any normal business day, would be working its niche--quilts, alterations and other projects.
But with non-essential businesses shutting down due to coronavirus, a normal business day for sewers Doris Gardner and Mary Rye now looks like sewing face masks covers.

Various factors are resulting in lower costs at the pump in Marion County.
Birmingham-based American Automobile Association (AAA) spokesperson Clay Ingram says he’s expect fuel prices to continue to decline until the spring.
The AAA statewide average gas price average was $2.15 per gallon on Thursday, Feb. 13. The nationwide average that day was $2.43.

Marion County’s December 2019 unemployment rate experienced a slight increase.
According to data published by the Alabama Department of Labor on Friday, Jan. 24, Marion County’s rate rose to 3%—a 0.2% increase from the previous two months, which maintained rates of 2.8%.
The county’s unemployment rate this time last year was 4.2%.
Surrounding counties’ unemployment rates include: Fayette County at 2.7%, Franklin County at 2.4%, Lamar County with 2.7%, Walker County with 2.8% and Winston County with 3%