Muhlenberg County's unemployment rate topped 10% in January as western Kentucky bucked a statewide trend of fewer jobless workers from the final month of 2012.

Figures from the Office of Employment and Training showed Muhlenberg County with 1,351 unemployed workers-- a rate of 10.4%, compared to 9.2% in December 2012.  The 10.4% figure is nearly identical to where the county stood in January of 2012.

Meanwhile, Hopkins County saw its unemployment number increase to 8% compared to 6.8% in December and 7.7% in Januar of 2012.

Several ribbon cutting and grand opening events are planned in Muhlenberg County this month.  On Wednesday, the first takes place at the Right Way Ministry & Christian Center located at 205 E Broad Street in Central City.  Refreshments will be served.

On Friday at noon, there will be a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting at Noffsinger Physical Therapy located in Copper Creek Shopping Center and on Thursday, March 28, a ribbon cutting takes place at 10:00 a.m. for Liquor Stop II located at 658 S 2nd Street in Central City.

Junior Achievement of West Kentucky will provide the JA Success Skills programs for all sophomores at Muhlenberg County High School during the spring semester.  They are seeking individuals in the business world to serve as JA volunteers to teach this program, which heavily focuses on work-readiness topics such as how to prepare an effective resume, the importance of teamwork and team building skills in the workplace, how to market yourself in today’s job market, effective job-interviewing skills, among other important life skills in local classrooms.