The number of reported jobless Ohioans dropped during the month of April to 7.4 percent, down from 7.5 in March, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

The state saw gains of about 2,900 jobs in government and 1,900 in professional and business services.

Manufacturing has been helping to drive the recovery in Ohio, but that sector lost 1,400 jobs last month.

Press Release:

Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation (Seasonally Adjusted)

Ohio's unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in April, down from 7.5 percent in March, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment fell 3,400 over the month, from the revised 5,141,300 in March to 5,137,900 in April.

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in April was 431,000, down from 438,000 in March. The number of unemployed has decreased by 79,000 in the past 12 months from 510,000. The April unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 8.8 percent in April 2011.

The U.S. unemployment rate for April was 8.1 percent, down from 8.2 percent in March and down from 9.0 percent in April 2011.

Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted)
Ohio's nonfarm payroll employment decreased 3,400 over the month, from 5,141,300 in March to 5,137,900 in April, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by ODJFS.

Service-providing industries decreased 2,000 over the month to 4,300,000. Job losses occurred in trade, transportation, and utilities (-4,700), leisure and hospitality (-2,000), financial activities (-1,400), and other services (-400). Growth occurred in government (+2,900), professional and business services (+1,900), education and health services (+1,500), and information (+200). Goods-producing industries, at 837,900, were down 1,400 from March. Manufacturing jobs fell 1,400 while mining and logging and construction were unchanged.

From April 2011 to April 2012, nonagricultural wage and salary employment rose by 47,200. Service-providing industries added 29,300 jobs. The most significant gains occurred in trade, transportation and utilities (+16,600), education and health services (+16,500), and professional and business services (+7,300). Also showing improvement were information (+1,700) and other services (+1,300). Over-the-year declines were posted in leisure and hospitality (-8,200), government (-3,100), and financial activities (-2,800). Goods-producing industries increased 17,900. Manufacturing gained 16,600 jobs through expansion in durable goods (+12,000) and nondurable goods (+4,600). Construction added 1,000 jobs while mining and logging employment increased 300.

Update 11:41 a.m.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office identified the man killed after running into a house Friday.

Jeffere E. Blackmon, 24, of Akron, was found dead at the scene after his Hyundai Sontana ended up in the basement of a vacant home off of East Avenue in Akron.

Police continue to investigate why he lost control traveling northbound on East Avenue at about 12:45 Friday morning.

Update 8:22 a.m.

A driver is dead after his Hyundai Sontana crashed into a vacant Akron home.

Akron Police arrived to the 900 block of East Avenue at 1 a.m. Friday,  to discover two people inside the vehicle.

The man behind the wheel lost control while traveling northbound on East Avenue, drove through a vacant lot and then smashed into a house. The vehicle ended up in the basement of the home.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's office has not yet identified the victim.

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One person was found dead after a vehicle crashed into a vacant Akron home Friday morning.

Akron Police arrived to the home in the 900 block of East Avenue to discover two people inside the vehicle that ended up in the basement. Police received a call at about 12:45 a.m. Friday regarding the incident.

Officers have not yet identified the victims. 

Follow AkronNewsNow.com for continuing coverage. 

Akron-based FirstMerit outlines job cuts to save millions of dollars in 2013 in its latest filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

In the company's Tuesday filing, a presentation listed the elimination of 338 positions.

The reduction in staffing levels is just part of the effort to save $30 million by next year.

As the company moves forward amid the current economic conditions, proactive steps were listed in the presentation to address challenges, including the "declining level of branch traffic".

Of the ideas for savings measures submitted by employees, 341 ideas were chosen.

Other "efficiency initiative actions" included in FirstMerit's filing:

• Increase teller staffing flexibility.
• Eliminate redundant regional leadership positions.
• Reduce branch geographic overlap.
• Combine/eliminate the statement printing.
• Consolidate retail support call centers.
• Reduce temporary help.
• Insource a portion of the attorney function for managed assets.

The first evidence of the company's budget trimming endeavor surfaced last week, when AkronNewsNow.com first reported FirstMerit was eliminating all assistant branch manager positions across the board.

While the company operates 205 locations in the region, not all had the assistant manager positions.

On Monday, the Beacon reported FirstMerit would close six area branches and turn one into a drive-thru only.

Follow AkronNewsNow.com for continuing coverage.

Previous Coverage:

FirstMerit Eliminates Jobs

A banking institution headquartered in Akron is eliminating positions across all of its branches.

"We are realigning our staff and as a part of those changes, we have eliminated the assistant branch manager position at our branches," Robert Townsend, media relations officer for First Merit.

When contacted by AkronNewsNow, Townsend was evasive about the details, but did say the decision was made Thursday.

First Merit operates close to 50 locations across the Greater Akron region.

Follow AkronNewsNow.com for more details as information becomes available.

In a violent crime crackdown on the streets near Copley Road, Akron Police joined forces with a number of law enforcement agencies to arrest 32 suspects on the city's West side.

A fallen soldier from Stow will be laid to rest this weekend.

David Rylander, 23, was killed last Wednesday in Logar Province in Afghanistan during fighting there.

The West Point graduate earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Engineering Management in 2011.

Rylander was home schooled and an accomplished pianist. He was also a member of the Cuyahoga Falls Tigersharks swim team and an Eagle Scout.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Redmon Funeral Home. Calling hours for David are scheduled for Friday, May 11, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

His funeral will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at the Chapel in Akron.