Page 4 August 17, 2011
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Regional unemploymentthe unemployment rate, jobless-
rate rises
After six consecutive months of steady decline in
ness in Workforce Connection’s three-county region rose in June from 11.5 to 12.2 percent,
according to information released today by the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.
The increase in unemployment in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties has been expe-
rienced to some degree by every county in Florida. While the increase is typically a reflec-
tion of seasonal impacts, not necessarily a sign that the economy is worsening, it doesn’t
suggest strong gains, either – at least not locally.
Rusty Skinner, Workforce s chief executive officer, said “Seasonal unemployment
is creating a big distortion in the picture of where we are. But even if seasonality is removed,
we re not showing an economy that s showing any significant growth.”
The unemployment rate in June for Citrus, Levy and Marion counties is 1.1 per-
centage points above Florida’s not seasonally adjusted rate of 11.1 percent, and 2.9 percent
higher than the national rate. The regional rate is down from 13.3 percent a year ago. Skin-
ner said noted that Citrus and Levy counties experienced growth in both the labor force and
employment and decreases to the number of unemployed. The number of unemployed in
Marion County dropped significantly since June 2010, from 18,284 to 16,774, while the
labor force and employment shrank slightly.
Here is how the counties fared in June: Citrus County’s unemployment rate of 11.8
percent is up from 11 percent in May; its labor force shrank by 286 to 58,131, the number
of employed dropped by 721 to 51,299 while those unemployed increased by 435 to 6,832.
Sunshine State Archaeological Society of Florida Inc. held one of the largest shows in Florida at St Leo
Levy County posted an 11.1-percent unemployment rate, up from 10.3 percent; its la-
College in Dade City. Robert Allen, treasurer of the group and organizer of the show chats with Wayne
bor force decreased by 146 to 17,409, the number of those employed dropped by 286 to
Sparkman of Inglis while Don Munroe of the society mans the table for the organization. We endeavor to
315,468,.and those without jobs also dropped by 140 to 1,941.
develop a better understanding among students and collectors of archaeological materials, professional
Illegal Slots  - Continued from page 1
and non-professional, as well as museums and institutions of high learning. Sally Price Photo
Child Abuse Charge  - Continued from page 1
at arcade amusement centers and truck stops.
boy) to another location to purchase crack cocaine. When they returned to the residence,
“Based upon the information you have provided regarding the electronic machine in ques-
Karr began taking the pills and smoking the crack cocaine with the other adults in the house.
tion, such a machine would appear to constitute an illegal slot machine or device,’’ states the
The boy said he saw Karr smoking the crack cocaine through an A & W root beer can.
opinion dated July 19.
On Aug. 5, a detective contacted Karr in Ocala and interviewed him. He corrobo-
Bondi’s decision was first reported by The Panama City News Herald. The news-
rated many of the statements made by the boy, the report stated. He said, doing the things
paper said that the machines, which are only used by VFW members and their guests, have
he’d done in front of the boy on Aug. 2 was the lowest point in his life, that he was remorse-
been turned off for weeks while Hess has waited for an official opinion from Bondi’s office.
ful for his actions.
Hess told the News-Herald that the machines must remain off unless a judge inter-
Karr was released from the facility on Aug. 8 and turned over to the sheriff’s office
venes or the Florida Legislature changes state law. “The long and short of it is we have these
for processing at the Citrus County Detention Facility. His bond was set at none on the child
people from South Florida trying to backdoor gambling into the Panhandle,” Hess said.
abuse charge and at $5,500 on the other charges.
Ralph Morgan, the commander of the VFW Post, told the newspaper there should
Coastal
Hair Port
be an exemption for VFW and American Legion posts. “We’re going to fight it,” Morgan
said. “These are not casino machines, they are gaming machines.”
Bondi’s opinion comes amid a growing legal argument over what constitutes ille-
gal gambling. Internet cafes currently insist that they utilize machines that are not electronic
Carting
Big John’s Family Salon
slot machines, but instead are covered under the arcade amusement exemption. Despite that
positions many local law-enforcement authorities have tried to shut them down. Among
Hwy. 40 East, Inglis
the bills filed on May 25th was HB 3 by Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, which would ban
10-20-30 yd.
Internet cafes in Florida.
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