Area counties’ unemployment rates (from lowest to highest) in February were: Auglaize: 24,100 labor force, 23,100 employment, 4.2 percent unemployment. All numbers remained consistent from January.

But outlays in February totaled $603 billion, also a record for that month, and up 6%, or $36 billion, from a year earlier. After calendar adjustments for both receipts and outlays, the adjusted ...

The numbers: Construction of new homes rose 11.2% in February as builders coming off a harsh winter ramped up new projects. But most economists expect home builders to pull back in the coming ...