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 Lee County, the unemployment rate for March was 5.8%, down from 6.4% in February and down from 6.2% 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.

Auburn Montgomery senior Eran Franks was selected the ninth recipient of the Army ROTC Athletic Achievement Award for the 2012-13 school year on Wednesday, for his efforts both on and off the baseball field.

Criteria for the Army ROTC Athletic Achievement Award includes being certified for eligibility and involved in participation of a varsity sport; performance on the field or court during the previous two weeks; contributions to the team's success through their individual leadership skills, their commitment to teamwork, their extra effort during practice and their demonstration of sportsmanship; and performance off the field of play, including academic success, character and exemplary community outreach.

During the two weeks of his nomination, Franks helped the Warhawks to a 5-1 mark, with all six games counting toward the Southern States Athletic Conference standings.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.

Join Mayor Gary Fuller for Breakfast at Opelika and the Opening Serve of the Marriott at Grand National Tennis Center, adjacent to National Village.

Enjoy a Wimbledon-style breakfast and tour the newest tourism/recreational facility in the area. Following breakfast and the official opening serve at 9:00 a.m., feel free to stay for a morning of tennis or pickle ball.

Attire: Tennis whites or business-casual.

Hosted by National Village and the Auburn/Opelika Marriott at Grand National

Information Source: National Village