LOCAL BRIEFS

Jobless rate up

The unemployment rate rose to 8.3 percent here in June from 8.1 percent in May, according to the State Employment Security Commission report.

Statewide, the unemployment rate dropped to 6.2 percent in June after reaching a year-to-date high of 6.5 percent in May.

Ballots available

The absentee voting precinct for the Aug. 12 Gaffney City and Cherokee County School Board elections is now open. In order to be eligible to vote in this election, you must have been registered to vote in Cherokee County prior to July 12, 2008.

If applying by mail, Voter Registration must receive your application no later than 5 p.m. four days prior to the election. Any voter who needs their ballot mailed to them is encouraged to contact Voter Registration as soon as possible since the process can take up to two weeks.

The Voter Registration Office is located in the Peachtree Centre.