AROUND TOWN

Cool Care Heating & Air donated a brand new HVAC system to a deserving couple through their Comfort for Heroes campaign.

Fire Marshall Terry Mueller of the Cayce Fire Department and his wife Nancy-Lynn will receive the new heating and cooling system. Nancy-Lynn is battling 2 forms of cancer which cause her to have an elevated body temperature. Their old system wasn’t able to keep her comfortable but was running up their electric bill.

Cool Care will provide the Muellers with a Bryant high-efficiency heating and cooling air system, including installation and a whole house assessment. They will also perform duct sealing to improve indoor air quality, reduce dust, and significantly lower their utility bill -- all at no cost.

Upcoming events at Riverbanks Zoo

• Brew at the Zoo August 3: This sold-out event supports animal care and conservation with samples of cold, frothy beer. Enjoy a wide selection of brews from domestics to imports to specialty micros, stroll through the Zoo, listen to live music, and experience wildlife up-close. Visit Riverbanks online at https://www.riverbanks.org/ for additional information.

• Toucan Tuesdays through August 14: Enjoy BOGO admission at Riverbanks every Tuesday this summer with a donation of two cans of food to Harvest Hope Food Bank. In addition to pay-one-price admission, guests who donate on a Toucan Tuesday also will receive hot savings on cool treats: $2 16 oz. ICEE’s, $2 24 oz. fountain drinks and a 2-for-$20 special on misting fans sold at various locations throughout the park.

• Twilight in the Garden August 10: The big screen returns to Riverbanks Botanical Garden on select Friday nights this summer. Explore Waterfall Junction and then enjoy a family-friendly flick beginning at dusk (Waterfall Junction will open at 6 p.m. and close just prior to the start of the movie). Admission is $3 for Riverbanks members and $5 for the general public. Food and beverages also will be available for purchase. Tickets are on sale now.

State employment at

all-time high

The number of individuals working across the state reached a new high in June, increasing by 648 people to an estimated level of 2,226,062.

Unemployment decreased significantly for the third consecutive month by nearly 5,425 people to 87,080. While the state’s labor force declined by 4,777 to 2,313,142 people, seasonally adjusted jobs have increased by 3,400 over the month to a record level of 2,125,700.

The changes in the state’s labor force pushed the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to 3.8% from May’s estimate of 4.0%.

Since June of 2017, the labor force has grown by nearly 2,637 people, and employment gains totaled 12,231. The level of unemployed was lower, declining by 9,594 people.

Nationally, the unemployment rate edged upward to 4.0% from May’s rate of 3.8%.

June 2018 seasonally adjusted, non-farm payrolls increased by 3,400 over the month to a record level of 2,125,700.

The state’s job count rose in Leisure and Hospitality (+4,900); Education and Health Services (+1,500); Other Services (+1,300); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+700); Manufacturing (+700); Government (+500); and Financial Activities (+400).

Industries recording job losses during the same month were Professional and Business Services (-4,800); Construction (-1,600); and Information (-100).

From June 2017 to June 2018, South Carolina’s economy has added 35,200 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs.

Industries with noticeable gains were Leisure and Hospitality (+11,700); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+10,400); Education and Health Services (+7,900); Manufacturing (+3,900); Other Services (+3,800); and Government (+3,600).

Declines were reported in Construction (-4,000); Professional and Business Services (-2,100); and Information (-100), while Financial Activities (0) remained constant.