Kern County jobless rate stays at 10.8% in January
Kern County’s unemployment rate held at 10.8 percent in January, up 2 points from one year before, according to data released Friday by the state Employment Development Department.
The seasonally unadjusted estimate, reflective of a federal labor-market reassessment that month, came as farm employment in the county shrank by 600 positions, or 1 percent; retail shed 1,200 workers (3.5 percent); and the sector defined as transportation, warehousing and utilities lost 1,400 jobs (8.6 percent).
Other notable changes include the loss of 1,000 positions in professional and business services (3.9 percent) and 200 construction jobs (1.4 percent), the EDD reported. Educational and health services added a net 1,200 workers (2.9 percent), and employment in local government fell by 1,500 workers (3.4 percent).
Meanwhile, the state’s seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 9.2 percent from 9.1 in December, and the national jobless rate increased to 6.8 percent from 6.5 the month before.
Adventist Health has partnered with PT Solutions Physical Therapy with an office slated to open near downtown Bakersfield in April.
“We’re combining forces in a way that aligns our medical center in Bakersfield and our community physicians, while providing care for people who need healing from physical therapy,” said Jenny Lavers, administrative director of Ancillary Services, in a statement.
This isn’t the first time the two companies have worked together: PT Solutions has partnered with other Adventist Health facilities. This new office is located in the center at Truxtun Avenue and Oak Street, and its scheduled opening date will be April 1.
The specialties offered include physical therapy, neurological rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation, orthopedic and sports injuries, post-op rehabilitation, manual therapy, balance & vestibular therapy, fall prevention, concussion care, headaches & migraines, temporomandibular joint treatment and running analysis.
The office is located at 3320 Truxtun Ave., Suite 100. Appointments can be requested by email at Bakersfield@PTSolutions.com or by calling 637-8397. For more information, visit https://ptsolutions.com.
The M Street Navigation Center is asking for community donations so residents can have a positive and therapeutic outlet to express themselves through various forms of art.
The center is asking for community donations of journals, sketch pads, colored pens/pencils, adult coloring books, clay, fabrics, paints and easels. In a news release, the center also said residents would benefit from word search and crossword puzzle books.
The news release said that such donations can help those in the navigation center find a positive avenue toward self-expression. In turn, that can support the healing and self-esteem needed for them to move in the direction of self-sufficiency.
Donations may be dropped off at the shelter at 2900 M St. on Fridays between 1 and 5 p.m.
Please contact Mari at Marianela.Rios@capk.org or call 5012603 with any questions.
To mark St. Patrick’s Day and the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, Houchin Community Blood Bank will hold a “Luck of the Draw” promotion from Monday through March 21.
Every donor will receive something that is either St. Patrick’s Day related or COVID related. Items to be distributed include lottery tickets, gift cards, hand sanitizer, toilet paper and more.
The incentive will be offered at both the 11515 Bolthouse Drive and 5901 Truxtun Ave. donor centers as well as mobile blood drives.
Donor center hours include:
■■ March 15-17: 9 a.m. through 6 p.m.
■■ March 18 : 11 a.m. through 7 p.m.
■■ March 19: 9 a.m. through 6 p.m.
■■ March 20 : 8 a.m. through 4 p.m.
■■ March 21: Closed
Visit hcbb.com/schedule to see mobile drives for next week.