St. Mary Parish’s unemployment rate fell for the fourth straight month, dipping below 6 percent in December 2017, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Parish officials expect to see a continual increase in employment during 2018 when the oil and gas industry begins to recover from the downturn. The parish unemployment was 5.9 percent for December compared to the November rate of 6.2 percent. October’s unemployment rate was 6.7 percent, while the September unemployment had been 7.9 percent, dropping from August’s 8.3 percent rate, workforce commission statistics stated. In December, the St. Mary Parish workforce increased by 101 people to ...