First-time jobless claims remain steady

The number of Oconeeans who filed first-time jobless claims in the past week jumped by 109, to a total of 159, for the week ended September 5.  But Dan Ellzey, director of the state Department of Employment and Workforce, is not overly worried.  “Initial claims remain steady in the last reported claim week.  As we have previously mentioned, minor upticks should not be alarming as this is normal in data reporting,” he said.  Still the Oconee County increase put Oconee in the unusual position of having more first-time claimaints than its South Carolina county neighbors of Pickens (110) and Anderson (156).