Mississippi jobless rate falls in April as labor force dips
JACKSON, Mississippi — The state's unemployment rate fell to 8.7 percent in April from 9 percent in March, according to seasonally adjusted figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's the lowest level since March 2009, and significantly below the state's 10.6 percent jobless rate in April 2011.
JACKSON, Mississippi — Mississippi’s jobless rate continued to fall in April, again because fewer people were looking for jobs.
The state’s unemployment rate fell to 8.7 percent in April from 9 percent in March, according to seasonally adjusted figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s the lowest level since March 2009, and significantly below the state’s 10.6 percent jobless rate in April 2011.
The number of unemployed Mississippians fell to 116,300, down from 120,800 in March and from 141,600 a year ago.
A separate survey of employer payrolls shows that the number of nonfarm employees in the state rose only slightly from a month ago and fell slightly from April 2011.
Mississippi tied with Florida for the eighth-highest jobless rate among states. In March, Mississippi had tied for the fifth-highest rate.
Nevada retains the nation’s worst jobless rate, creeping up to 11.2 percent in April. North Dakota’s oil-fueled boom kept unemployment there at the nation’s lowest rate, 3 percent.
The nationwide unemployment rate dipped to 8.2 percent in March from 8.3 percent in February. That’s also down from 8.9 percent in March 2011.
Mississippi has 28 straight months of double-digit jobless rates ending in January, fueled in part by a steady increase in the number of people looking for work. That climb in job-seekers has reversed early this year, with Mississippi’s labor force falling 1.4 percent in just four months. That, in turn has helped push down the unemployment rate, although the underlying jobs picture has improved little, if any.
The number of people reporting they have work has risen by about 7,000 since December, while the number of people looking for work has fallen by more than 17,000. Combined that has pushed down the total of unemployed Mississippians by about 24,000.
County-level unemployment numbers won’t be released by the state until Wednesday.
The broadest measure of unemployment — which includes people who are only looking for work sporadically, have given up looking or are working part time because they can’t find a full-time job — averaged 15.5 percent in Mississippi over the 12 months ending March 30, the most recent figures available.
Nationwide, that broad measure averaged 15.6 percent during the same time.
The unemployment rate is calculated by a survey that asks how many people are looking for a job. A second survey each month asks employers how many people are on their payrolls, a measure that many economists look to as their top labor market indicator.
The payroll survey found that total jobs in Mississippi, at 1.09 million, rose by 1,000 from March to April, when seasonally adjusted. Total jobs were about 2,000 fewer than a year ago, another measure of weakness in the state economy. Mississippi and Arkansas were among seven states where payrolls shrank from April 2011 to April 2012, according to federal figures.
The state remains 70,000 jobs short of the pre-recession peak in payroll employment.
Seasonally adjusted payrolls grew in April in sectors including manufacturing; financial services; trade, transportation and utilities; education and health services and leisure and hospitality. Payrolls fell in professional and business services, construction and government.
April Mississippi jobless rate falls as labor force dips
JACKSON — Mississippi’s jobless rate dropped in April, mainly because fewer people are looking for jobs. The state’s unemployment rate fell to 8.7 percent in April from 9 percent in March, according to seasonally adjusted figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s the lowest level since March 2009, and significantly below the state’s 10.6 [...]
Commission again rejects plans for proposed Coast casino
GULFPORT — The Mississippi Gaming Commission has asked casino developer Rotate Black to try again. The commission, in a 3-0 vote, again rejected the company’s plan for the Harbor Town Casino on the waterfront in Gulfport. In April, the commission asked developers to add more to their proposal, hoping the additional investment would bolster coast [...]
Board to name House interim state superintendent of education
JACKSON — The Mississippi Board of Education plans to name Lynn House as interim state superintendent today. The board chose House, now deputy superintendent for instructional enhancement and internal operations, following a closed meeting yesterday. It will formally ratify the choice today. House, 60, will replace Tom Burnham, who announced earlier this month that he [...]
Schools want to re-negotiate 16th Section lease agreement with MDWFP
HANCOCK COUNTY — The Bay-Waveland School District is hoping to re-negotiate a 40-year-old lease in hopes of bringing in more money for the schools. According to public records, the district in conjunction with the Hancock County School District agreed to a 99-year lease of 16th Section land with the state Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Department [...]
Trustmark chief Host named new chairman of MEC
JACKSON — Jerry Host, president and CEO of Trustmark Corporation and Trustmark National Bank in Jackson, has been elected chairman of the Mississippi Economic Council for the coming year. Host served as MEC’s treasurer from 2008-2010. He joined Trustmark’s Investment Department in 1984 and since then has worked in a variety of positions for the [...]
PSC review of Pontotoc Gas System results in reduced bills
PONTOTOC — Customers of Pontotoc Gas System will see their bills drop after a Mississippi Public Service Commission review found them too high. Starting immediately, residential rates will decrease from $9.56 per million metric British thermal units (mmbtu) to $7.14 per mmbtu. The utility wasn’t intentionally overcharging customers, said Pontotoc Mayor Jeff Stafford. It had [...]
George County High graduates Class of 2012
LUCEDALE, Mississippi — George County High School will conduct its 2012 graduation exercises at 7 p.m. today at the Gill-Martin Stadium.
Meredith Gabrielle Moody, 2012 George County High salutatorian
George Edward Moore II, 2012 George County High valedictorianLUCEDALE, Mississippi — George County High School will conduct its 2012 graduation exercises at 7 p.m. today at the Gill-Martin Stadium.
The stadium is at 9284 Old 63 South in Lucedale.
The George County High School valedictorian is George Edward Moore II, son of George Edward Moore Sr. and Anita Gale Moore.
The George County High School salutatorian is Meredith Gabrielle Moody, daughter of Paul and Sherry Moody.
Here are the 2012 candidates for graduation from George County High School:
Alexis Michelle Ackeret, Annie Lynn Adams, Dustin Cole Addison, Mark Steven Alford, Carrie Mae Avery, Olivia Kristen Barrow, Austin Winter Bates, Tyler Deon Bates, Jeremiah O’Neil Beard, Destin Jack Beech;
Austin Lee Bell, Shelbi Simone Bennett, Zachary Jason Blackwell, Spencer Douglas Gregory Blair, Christopher Tyler Bond, Donald Aaron Bouler, Cayla Denise Bradley, Shyanna Leigh Bradley, Devin Laneal Brannon, Brittany Jade Brewer;
Courtney Marie Brown, Hunter Ryan Bufkin, Ashley Arlandria Burkett, Toni Alexzandria Burkett, DeAdra Marie Burns, Courtney Yvonne Butler, Sara Alisha Byrd, Seth Andrew Byrd, Stance Braden Byrd, Jeffrey Dylan Cain;
Matthew Dillion Cain, James Cleveland Campbell, Jose Justo Cano, Tyler Edward Carr, Dalton Ray Carter, Haley Danielle Carter, Holly Marie Chastain, Amber Lynn Cheatwood, Krystal Lynn Christen, Jacob Daniel Christian;
Aaron Bryant Clark, Halen Nichol Clark, Kristen Lanay Clark, Jon Rusty Cochran, Andrea Morgan Colburn, Jourdon Lee Colburn, Katelyn Rochelle Coleman, Kathryn Nicole Cooley, Kristina Nichole Cooley, Daniel Tyler Cooper;
Chasten LeeAnn Courtney, Aaron James Cowart, Shelby Marie Craft, Roman Gabriel Crews, Raina Shae Cromer, Keiton Lanier Croom, General Thomas Dailey, Kyle Hunter Daley, Conner Lane Davis, Jazmine Storme Davis;
William Travis Davis, Emily Hope Dixon, Haylee Anne Donahue, Joseph Rodriquez Dortch, Marvin Gaye Dortch, Kathryne Gail Drew, Anthony Wayne Driver Jr., Raven Gabrielle Dueitt, Taylor Marie Dufrene, Jonathan Garrett Dunn;
Dwayne Michael Dwyer Jr., Heather Marie Easley, Brittni Reena Echols, Cassie Marie Eckhoff, Emily Elise Eley, Robert Lawrence Elkins, John Thomas Erkhart, Olivia Golden Erkhart, Kasha Rochelle Eubanks, John Russell Evans;
Cadezia Leanna Fairley, Takeysha Rossell Fairley, Tiffany Leigh Fillingim, Ashley Lauren Fiveash, Jeremiah Austin Foster, Benjamin Michael Fountain, Alyse Eva Frable, Thomas Matthew Franklin, Miranda Joy Freeman, Preston Joseph Freeman;
Michael Raynor Fryfogle Jr., Yolanda Fonseca Fuentes, Scott Isaac Gaines, Edward Clarence Galloway Jr., William Blake Gandy, Dustin Tyler Gill, Octavio Gabino Gomez, Madison Michelle Gordon, Summer Nichole Goss, Jasmine Gabrielle Grant;
Joshua Heath Gray, Shelly Deanne Guy, Brooke Kassady Hancock, Courtney Grace Hancock, Jackson Howell Harlan, Tori Diondra Harwood, Akisha Danielle Havard, Harley Kaye Havard, Veronica Marie Havard, Shawn Calvin Havens;
Joseph Killian Hayes, Alayna Jayde Hearndon, Jonathon Chase Hempstead, Andrew Colby Henderson, Sheldon Bryce Herrington, Alyssa Marie Hester, Megan LeAnn Hickman, Wesley Tyler Hilbun, Deanna Roxanne Hill, Dallas Marie Hobby;
Mitchell Ray Holifield II, Brandy Latesha Holley, Tiffany DeeAnne Holley, Leeanna Chantel Holliman, Kimberly Kay Horsley, Gregory Austin Howard, William Aaron Howard, Dalton Patrick Howell, Haley Diane Howell, Caitlyn Michelle Hubbard;
Justin Tyler Huber, Ryan Joseph Hudson, Erica Hope Hyatt, Amber Nicole Jenkins, Demetrius Javon Johnson, Erica Paige Johnson, Maxine Lynette Johnson, John Dakota Johnston, Austin Hunter Jones, Natasha Marie Jones;
Brian Alan Jordan II, Christina Rose Jordan, Richard Aaron Joyner, Hunter Anton Kaplan, Tommie Khalyb Kyle, Marissa Lois Landon, Tyler Duran Landrum, Deborah Annette Lang, Cammie Niccole Law, Charles Michael Lawler;
Austin Blake Lee, Haley Brooke Littlefield, Ashleigh Marie Lorge, Reese Haddox Lott, Randall Tereall Love, Trevor James Luce, Andrew Tyler Lucius, Erica Renee Luke, Joshua Keith Mallett, Britney Reenae Mannon;
Kenneth Dillon Mannon, Edward Brock Maples, Lindsey Marie Maples, Taylor Jordan Maples, Jacob Paul Martin, Courtney Ann McCall, Delaney Jewel McDonald, Lauren Siera McLeod, Robin Delanna McLeod, Sierra Montana McLeod;
Heather Leann McRae, Adam Delane Merritt, Justin Allen Miller, Jimmie Douglas Mixon, Aubrey James Mizell, Fallon Danielle Mizell, Alexandria Nicole Monson, Dominique Conelia Moody, Meredith Gabrielle Moody, George Edward Moore;
Jordan Tyler Moore, Kaitlyn Victoria Morgan, Kristin Alexis Moss, David Wayne Nance, Alexandrea BriYanna Neal, Quinton Terome Nix, James Farrell O’Neil, Jonathan Thomas Olsen, Lena Danielle Osborne, Jenna Elyse Parker;
Blake Edward Phillips, Kristain LaRhea Pierce, Patrick Ryan Pitts, Richard Alan Pribanic, Mona Lakehia Pritchett, Kayla Demaris Radcliff, Jacob Andrew Rasberry, Jessica Lynne Rasberry, Emily Michaela Read, Robert Ford Renfroe;
Jessica Susan Rhodes, Robert Shalem Rice, Amber Danielle Ring, Chantel Monique Rivera, Tara Lenae Roberts, Brian Hugh Rogers, Katlin DeShay Rogers, Makayla Mae Rogers, Cotie Amber Rouse, Moriah Jewel Rouse;
Hayden Laurell Scott, Rorye Deondre Scott, Joshua Stacy Shows, Morgan Irene Skidmore, Charles Dylan Smith, Josiah Stephen Smith, Leland Taylor Smith, Mandy Selena Smith, Austin James Smoak, Jeffrey Lee Storey;
Kristyn Diane Strahan, Tyler Jack Strahan, Keera Regine Street, Joshua Randolph Strickland, Mary Monittie Stringer, Jamie Roy Stumph, Cassidy Renae Sullivan, Raymon Tanner III, Ashley Lauren Tatham, Elizabeth Louise Tatham;
Emily Katherine Taylor, Jonathan James Taylor, Julia Lannie Tilley, Justin Everett Todd, Park Austin Tritle, Tatiana Marie Tritle, Jim Phillip Underwood Jr., Cyle Mason Vines, Kierra Elnora Nicole Vinson, James Benjamin Walley;
Casey Fletcher Walters, Michelle Nicole Waltman, Savannah Brooke Waltman, Miranda Cherie Ware, Shianna Marie Ware, Haley Deanna Washington, Cody Michael Watson, Deanna Jordan Welford, Michaela Dawn Welsford, Jarod Alexander Wescovich;
Derrick Manson Whittington, Cody Ray Wilkerson, Hannah Dawn Williams, Kristina Dianne Williams, Leslie Nacole Williams;
Mattison Kizar Williams, Brandon Scott Woods, Lauren Nicole Woytek, Kelsea Cheyenne Wright, Lisa Marie Wright; Miranda Marie Wynn and Nicole Elizabeth Yates.
Gautier Crime, May 17, 2012
Gautier Police Department reported the following incidents from May 17.
Gautier Police Department reported the following incidents from
May 17
Gautier Vancleave Road,Chrissie Elliott Tillman, 31, 12509 Meadowglen Road, arrested on an outstanding warrant for contempt of court.
MGCCC, Julian Terrell Plainer, 26, 5048 Maid Marion Drive, Pascagoula, arrested on outstanding warrants for simple assault, obscene phone calls, and speeding.
Ladnier Road, Joshua Tyler Cumbest, 20, 2605 Tampica Road, arrested on outstanding warrants for no driver’s license, careless driving, and contempt of court.
Ladnier Road, Courtney Marcell Moore, 23, 5506 Orleans Circle, Pascagoula, arrested on outstanding warrants for speeding, no insurance, and suspended driver’s license.
Ladnier Road, Germany Chavontez McMillian, 20, 3010 Bartlett Ave., Pascagoula, arrested on an outstanding warrant for possession of a stolen firearm.
Ladnier Road, Dwayne Tyrone Williams, 41, 2405 Linwood Drive, arrested on outstanding warrants for contempt of court, child restraint law, seat belt violation, no driver’s license, speeding, suspended drivers license, and no proof of liability insurance.
U.S. 90, Quilesha S. Cooks, 34, 4925 Kreole Ave., Moss Point, arrested on outstanding warrants for disobeying a traffic control device, suspended driver’s license, and no proof of liability insurance.
Gautier Vancleave Road, Juanita Gail Edwards, 36, 1712 Timberlane Drive, arrested on an outstanding warrant for expired driver’s license.
3329 U.S. 90, Willie Marvin McCann Jr., 35, 1601 Timberlane Drive, arrested on an outstanding warrant for contempt of court.
Ladnier Road, Thomas Eugene Thomas, 58, 2606 El Mundo, arrested on outstanding warrants for no license tag and suspended driver’s license.
U.S. 90, Sonic, accident reported.
South Haven, juvenile arrested on an outstanding warrant through the Hall County Sheriff’s Department.
2200 Westgate Parkway, Cynthia Screws reported her 1996 Lincoln has not been returned after loaning it out.
1409 U.S. 90, Michelle Sabrina Shepherd reported a house fire.
Ladnier Road, Joshua Stephen Hammond, 24, 2637 Ridgeway Drive, arrested on allegations of suspended driver’s license, no liability insurance, and possession of paraphernalia.
Southern Drive, Patrick Quinn McVeay, 45, 1409 U.S. 90, Lot 252, arrested on allegations of seat belt violation and possession of Schedule II drugs.
U.S. 90, Shelia Renee McGee, 41, 2101 Ladnier Road, arrested on allegations of disorderly conduct, public drunk and public profanity.
Man gets prison for oil-spill fraud
GULFPORT — A 28-year-old Gulfport man has been sentenced to prison for 37 months and ordered to make restitution of $27,000 for fraud involving an oil-spill recovery claim. Moses W. Keys was sentenced Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. also ordered three years of probation. Keys had received an emergency check for $23,200 on [...]