United Way of North Rock County will hold its 68th annual meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16 at KANDU Industries at 1741 Adel St. in Janesville. 

Registration and a soup and sandwich buffet will begin at 11:45 a.m., followed by the program from noon to 1 p.m. 

The event is open to the public at a cost of $14 per person. 

Reservations and pre-payment are required by Feb. 10. Call 608-757-3040 x232, or go to www.uwnrc.org to print a reservation card and drop off or mail to United Way at 205 N. Main Street, Suite 101, Janesville, WI  53545.

Rock County residents are reacting to Gov. Scott Walker's State of the State address, in which the governor said the state's economy is improving because of decisions he made during his first year in office.

With an unemployment rate of 8.3 percent, some Rock County residents said they're concerned about the economy and weren't swayed by Walker's speech.

About 30 educators and union workers gathered at the Rock County Job Center on Thursday to voice their concerns with job creation and education.

A Beloit teacher said she was scared for the fate of public education in what she called "Walker's Wisconsin."

Teachers from across the county said Walker's policies have increased class sizes and stripped educational aides and other resources from them.

Organizers said the governor's speech Wednesday night left little optimism for Rock County residents.

"This comes at a time when kids are particularly stressed and parents are out of work," said organizer Ted Lewis.

The search continues for a homeless Janesville woman who was last seen on Jan. 7.

Digital billboards with Mary Stacey's face are up across the Janesville area. The Rock County Homeless Intervention Task Force has also joined the search for Stacey.

"We will be informing all of our volunteers this evening while they are out," said Marc Perry, Director of Planning & Develpment, Community Action.

Perry said the PDCA is joining the search because investigators believe Stacey, 48, is homeless.

Twice a year, more than 100 volunteers volunteers hit the streets throughout Rock County handing out care packages and hotel vouchers to connect with the area's homeless population.

"We try and find out from them if they have a next of kin, a close family member or maybe someone they can connect with and maybe even stay with temporarily," Perry said. "The goal is to get them re-acclimated and re-engaged."