HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania's unemployment rate dipped a notch in February after shooting to its highest point since October 2010, while the labor force shrank and payrolls stayed put.

The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday that February's unemployment rate was 8.1 percent, down from 8.2 percent in January.

The national unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in February.

The department estimates that the number of nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania remained flat at just under 5.75 million jobs, a number that's about the same as it was last March. Payrolls hit a record above 5.8 billion in April 2008, but shrank to below 5.6 billion amid the recession's effects.

A survey of households shows the number of people working or looking for work shrank in February.

HARRISBURG — A Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission member who told a grand jury he did not disclose resort gift certificates he received from an engineering firm says he’s resigning immediately.Bill Lincoln, a former state Senate Democratic floor leader, said in a Friday statement that he’s no longer able to do the job because of “personal stress” and ongoing health issues.He didn’t specifically mention last week’s grand jury report that alleged a “pay-to-play” culture at the turnpike commission.He had served as a turnpike commissioner for eight years after being nominated by former Gov. Ed Rendell.