Addison County’s unemployment rate was measured at 2.7% in March, down from the February rate of 2.9%, according to the Vermont Department of Labor. There were 578 people seeking work in March out of a total Addison County workforce of 21,791, according to the state. The statewide unemployment rate held at 2.6% in March. The March jobless rates for Vermont’s 14 counties ranged from 2.1% in Chittenden County to 5.7% in Orleans County, according to state figures. Meanwhile, the national jobless rate in March was 4.2%, an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised February estimate.

Speaking of jobs, the Vermont Department of Labor will hold spring job fairs in May and June, including in Middlebury and Vergennes. The Middlebury Job Fest is set for Thursday, May 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Middlebury Recreation Center at 154 Creek Rd. The “Job Fair at Job Corps” will be held on Thursday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northlands Job Corps, 100A MacDonough Drive in Vergennes. These hiring events are free and open to the public. Employers interested in participating in a job fair should sign up at labor.vermont.gov/event-types/job-fairs. Individuals needing assistance with résumé preparation, interview skills, or job search strategies are encouraged to visit their local Vermont Job Center ahead of time for one-on-one assistance. To find a local job center, go to labor.vermont.gov/locations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Vermont has approximately 17,000 available jobs. For more information, visit labor.vermont.gov or contact the Department of Labor at 802-828-4000.

Addison County Solid Waste Management District officials are reminding residents that “compostable containers” are not accepted at the district transfer station, town drop-off, or in curbside bins picked up from a hauler for composting. The privately owned composting facility in our area only accepts food scraps, tea bags, coffee grounds, and coffee filters. Any products labeled or sold as “compostable,” “biodegradable,” “plant-based,” etc. — such as plates, cups, napkins, cutlery, bowls, or other packaging — are not accepted. Even if these items are compostable or accepted in other parts of the state, the facility used by the ACSWMD doesn’t accept these materials. Unless you’re placing these items into a backyard compost system, these are trash. This includes compostable liner bags. Mistakes happen, but please remember to check local guidelines to help keep our compost clean from contamination.

Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society, is turning 50 and you’re invited to a gala celebration and fundraiser on Friday, May 16, from 5:30-10 p.m. at the Brandon Inn. If your life has been touched by Homeward Bound at some point during the last five decades, organizers hope you’ll come out and show your support next month. To learn the details and purchase tickets, visit Homeward Bound’s 50th Anniversary Gala at tinyurl.com/48556rrc. Questions? Contact Hannah at 802-388-1100 ext. 101 or [email protected].

Average gasoline prices in Vermont rose 2.8 cents per gallon during the past week to $3.08, according to GasBuddyPrices are 2.4 cents lower than a month ago and 52.6 cents lower than a year ago.  The state’s cheapest gas was $2.79 and the most expensive was $3.29. Meanwhile, the national average price has fallen 3.4 cents per gallon during the past week to $3.10. The national average is down 1.8 cents from a month ago and 54.6 cents from a year ago.