AROUND TOWN

That’s a rhetorical question. We bet you are up to your elbows in work.

Americans traditionally left behind as jobs and wages grow are benefiting in a tightener labor market. Unemployment hasn’t been lower in nearly 50 years.

The May jobless rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 3.8%, the lowest since April 2000, the Labor Department said. U.S. employers added 223,000 jobs last month and average hourly earnings edged up 2.7% this year.

Female unemployment fell to 3.6% last month, the lowest since 1953 and for workers older than 24 without a high-school diploma it fell to 5.4%.

Walmart to the rescue

Walmart plans to offer its 1.4 million full-and part-time workers here and elsewhere subsidized tuition online at the University of Florida, Brandman University in Irvine, CA, and Bellevue University in Bellevue, NB, due to their high graduation rates.

Employees will not be obligated to work for Walmart after they graduate and must pay only $1 a day for class costs.

Dick’s sets a record

For Dick’s Sporting Goods stores such as the one in Harbison, taking a stand paid off.

The chain’s shares have soared 26%, its biggest jump since it went public in 2002.

Dick’s raked in a whopping $1.91 billion, up 4.6% over last year. Overall profit was up 3.2% at $60.1 million.

Investors were surprised as Dick’s had limited arms sales after the Parkland, FL., mass shooting. It no longer sells firearms to anyone under 21 or selling automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines.

New home sales suffer

Sales of new single-family homes fell 1.5% this sprting. Yet sales were up from a year ago due to a stronger economy and increased construction.

The US Commerce Department reported 2.6 new homes sold a year for every 1,000 people aged 16 and over. That compares with a peak rate of 6.1 in July 2005 and an average rate of 3.5 during the 1990s.

2-for-1 Zoo admission

The Annual Food Drive Benefitting Harvest Hope Food Bank Begins June 12 at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Bring 2 cans of food on “Toucan Tuesdays” this summer and receive 2-for-1 admission through August 14.

“Summer is such a critical time at the food bank when we typically see a 40% increase in demand,” said Laura Reid, Director of Donor Relations at Harvest Hope Food Bank.

Individuals who donate also receive one $2 ICEE, one $2 fountain drink, plus a 2-for-$20 special on misting fans sold at various locations throughout the park.

Calling all bowlers

The Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber Summer Bowling League starts Tuesday, June 12, at AMF Park Lanes, 900 Axtell Dr., Cayce.

The 10-week league bowls on Tuesday nights through August 21, 6:30 - 9 p.m. Registration is $75 per team which covers trophies and a banquet.

For details call the Chamber at 794-6504.

Got a news item for us? Call 359-7633 or email JerryBellune@yahoo.com.