Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees announced today that Alabama’s preliminary March unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.2%. March 2012’s rate was also 7.2%. March’s rate represents 155,071 unemployed persons, compared to 154,790 last month, and 156,224 last year.

In Pike County, the unemployment rate for March was 6.9%, down from 7.6% in February, and unchanged from 6.9% a year ago.

“This month we continued to see the labor force grow, which tells us that more people are re-gaining confidence in the job market. We also saw the number of people with jobs grow by nearly 7,000, with only a slight increase in the number of unemployed,” said Surtees. “Even though the rate didn’t decrease, these are still positive signs.”

The civilian labor force increased in March to 2,164,497, up from 2,157,556 in February and 2,156,362 last year.

TROY, AL (WSFA)- Troy Police Department arrested 21 year old Troy man Roderick R. Givens Wednesday afternoon for Attempted Murder, according to information released by Chief Jimmy Ennis. 

At approximately 4:12pm, Troy Police Department officers were dispatched to a reported shooting at a local business in the 800 Block of North Three Notch Street. Officers arrived on the scene to find that a black male had been shot in the right leg with a pistol. The male subject was the only victim and the wound was  non-life threatening.  

Officers en route to the scene had been given a possible vehicle description and a patrolman spotted the vehicle fleeing the area. After a brief search, officers located the vehicle behind a residence on William Street. Officers made contact with a family member of Givens at the home and after a short period of time, Givens came out of the residence and surrendered to officers. 

The American Red Cross Alabama Region is monitoring the weather system that is moving across Alabama today and is prepared to respond if needed. Red Cross volunteers, supplies, and shelters are on standby, and will be ready to respond to whatever this system may bring.

The Red Cross urges residents to take steps now to stay safe when severe weather threatens. As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends individuals and families respond to severe weather in the following ways:

• Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind.
• Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are likely to occur.