Economists are not expecting any great improvement in the jobless numbers in Canada, anytime soon.
T-D economist Derek Burleton says modest economic growth recorded in the second quarter of this year suggests job growth is going to be slower than it has been so far in the economic recovery.
He predicts the economy added 40,000 jobs in August, but most of those were in the education sector, which lost 65,000 jobs in July.  Stats Can releases the official figures, Friday.
Otherwise, he says job growth will be flat, meaning the unemployment rate won't budge from it's national rate of eight percent.
Canada lost about 9,300 jobs in july-- the first month of losses since December.

The long-debated skateboard/bike park in Woodstock is now going to be a reality.

City council voted 5-2 in favour of awarding the tender to build the park at its meeting Thursday night. The lowest tender was just under $400,000, which was $50,000 more than originally planned.

The majority of council was of the mind that "We have gone this far, let's just get it built."

Councillor Deb Tait continued to oppose the project saying their was no proper consultation on the site or proper costing done.

The new park will be built in the south east corner of Southside Park and is expected to be open sometime during November. (bd)

Woodstock City Council is donating $20,000 to Oxford County Social Services to ensure that children of families in need will be able to take part in recreational sports activities in the city.

At its meeting Thursday night, Council agreed to pass over the money which is in addition to an earlier donation of $4,000. The city funding will be used to help purchase equipment and help pay registration fees for the players.

The only stipulation for the money is that it will go only to residents of the City of Woodstock. (bd)

The death of a man at a St. Thomas apartment building is now considered a homicide.
Forty-year-old Jason David Farro of Toronto died Sunday at 70 Centre Street.
A post mortem Tuesday at London Health Sciences Centre reveals that blunt force trauma was the cause of Farro's death.
Chief William Lynch says anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to call St. Thomas Police Service at 519-631-1364 or Crime stoppers at 519-631-8477. (jlw)