LONG BEACH Pacific Countys jobs picture continues to improve, with a June unemployment rate of 11.6 percent. This was down from 12.2 percent in May, and compares to 12.3 percent one year earlier and 12.6 percent two years earlier.

Meanwhile, first-time filings for unemployment insurance in the county rose to 121 from 117 in May. But the number of continuing claims fell dramatically, to 255 in June from 343 in May. The number of people drawing unemployment checks is less than half what it was a year ago and is almost back to pre-recession levels.

The same positive news applies to the number of county residents who have exhausted all eligibility for unemployment. Twenty-two people found themselves in this terrible situation last month, compared to 52 one year earlier, 49 two years ago and 21 in June 2008.

Statewide, the jobless rate rose to 9.3 percent in June, up from 9 percent in May. The state rate has been stuck in the same general range since April 2010.