30 Years Ago: Benton County ranked third in state in unemployment Looking Back

50 Years Ago From the Herald and

Democrat in 1968

In connection with the proclamation of Mayor Bautts emphasizing the week of May 7-13 as “Hire an Older Worker” Week, the Rogers office of the Employment Security Division made a special effort to find jobs for older workers, Ray Beecher Jr., manager, stated.

It was found that area employers had been favorable to the hiring of older workers throughout the year.

During the 12-month period ending April 30, a total of 650 people over 45 years of age applied for work through the local office and a total of 513 people in that age group were placed on jobs. Forty-two of those applicants were over 65 years of age and 24 of them were placed on jobs.

Included in the 513 placements were six jobs in technical, professional and managerial work, 38 jobs in clerical and sales and 153 jobs in service occupations.

One Benton County manufacturing firm hired 30 percent of its workers from the group over 45 years of age. The records revealed the company had 20 percent less absenteeism, 8 percent fewer accidents and 6 percent fewer quits from that age group than among those under 45 years of age.

Employers were encouraged to consider older workers for future labor needs.

30 Years Ago From the Herald-Democrat

in 1988

Benton County ranked third in the state for the lowest unemployment rate for the month of February at 4.5 percent. Only Scott (4.3) and Calhoun (3.6) counties had lower unemployment rates, according to an Arkansas Employment Security Division report.

The statewide unemployment rate was 8.8 percent, down five-tenths of a percentage point from the January rate of 9.3 percent.

10 Years Ago From the Herald-Leader

in 2008

For the fourth time in seven years, radio station KLRC won the smallmarket Radio Station of the Year award from the Gospel Music Association. The award was scheduled to be presented April 23.

The award is the most prestigious honor in Christian radio.

KLRC — a ministry of John Brown university — won the honor in 2001, 2002 and 2006.

Judging for the award was based on industry leadership, ratings and overall on-air sound, as well as community involvement.