How bad are things out there?
Real bad.
In Wednesday’s paper we reported an increase in the number of Delco families using food stamps. In 2007 those getting assistance stood at
6.1 percent. In 2008 the number rose to 6.3 percent.
Linda Freeman, the director of the Loaves and Fishes Pantry in Prospect Park, one of the largest charity food operations in the county, said they have seen requests for help rise 25 percent. And they are staring at bare shelves at the pantry, in part because of the ongoing budget standoff in Harrisburg.
Today the hits just keep coming. The new jobless numbers are out. They are not pretty.
Unemployment in the five-county region jumped another 0.1 percent in August. It’s now at 8.3 percent, up from 8.2 percent in July.
In Delaware County, the jobless ranks also swelled, going from 7.6 percent in July to 7.8 percent in August. Of course, things could be worse. You could be in Philadelphia, where the rate is now in double digits, at 10.5 percent.
Or you could work at Winterthur Museum, down in Delaware. They are about to do something they have never done in their history. The museum will close its doors for five weeks starting on Jan. 31.
Officials says it’s a money-saving move, and coincides with what is traditionally a slow time for visitors to the museum.
Finally, if you own a Saturn, you’re about to own a collector’s item. GM yesterday said they are pulling the plug on the car line after a deal with Roger Penske fell through.
There used to be a Saturn dealership on Baltimore Pike in Westbrook Park. They closed their doors months ago and merged operations with a dealership out on Route 202.
Yep, like the front page said yesterday. Things are tough all over.
Real bad.
In Wednesday’s paper we reported an increase in the number of Delco families using food stamps. In 2007 those getting assistance stood at
6.1 percent. In 2008 the number rose to 6.3 percent.
Linda Freeman, the director of the Loaves and Fishes Pantry in Prospect Park, one of the largest charity food operations in the county, said they have seen requests for help rise 25 percent. And they are staring at bare shelves at the pantry, in part because of the ongoing budget standoff in Harrisburg.
Today the hits just keep coming. The new jobless numbers are out. They are not pretty.
Unemployment in the five-county region jumped another 0.1 percent in August. It’s now at 8.3 percent, up from 8.2 percent in July.
In Delaware County, the jobless ranks also swelled, going from 7.6 percent in July to 7.8 percent in August. Of course, things could be worse. You could be in Philadelphia, where the rate is now in double digits, at 10.5 percent.
Or you could work at Winterthur Museum, down in Delaware. They are about to do something they have never done in their history. The museum will close its doors for five weeks starting on Jan. 31.
Officials says it’s a money-saving move, and coincides with what is traditionally a slow time for visitors to the museum.
Finally, if you own a Saturn, you’re about to own a collector’s item. GM yesterday said they are pulling the plug on the car line after a deal with Roger Penske fell through.
There used to be a Saturn dealership on Baltimore Pike in Westbrook Park. They closed their doors months ago and merged operations with a dealership out on Route 202.
Yep, like the front page said yesterday. Things are tough all over.
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