Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Digest

In brief

By TIMES WIRES
Published September 19, 2006

At some stores, kids ride the aisles in style

High-tech grocery carts help parents keep distractions to a minimum and even let then plan grocery purchases, but will they help stores' bottom line?

Tampa Bay area drops in economic rankings

The Tampa Bay area slipped from second to third place on an economic scorecard that matches the region against five competing cities. Despite strong job growth, the bay area suffered in the "income and productivity" category, coming in last with an average wage of $33,928. High home prices relative to income also dragged down the score. The scorecard, the work of the Tampa Bay Partnership, is an update of initial rankings published in January. Raleigh-Durham ranked No. 1. Jacksonville came in last. In the middle with Tampa were Charlotte, Dallas and Atlanta.

Positive evaluation likely for port director

Port of Tampa director Richard Wainio, left, is scheduled for his first evaluation today from bosses on the Tampa Port Authority board. Halfway through his three-year contract, Wainio seems headed for smooth sailing. Six of seven port commissioners gave him a rating of excellent or between excellent and satisfactory on written evaluations released Monday. County Commissioner Ronda Storms reviewed him privately but did not fill out the form.

Hearing addresses Nationwide rate hike

State regulators will hold a public hearing at 1 p.m. today at the Gulfport Senior Center to discuss Nationwide Insurance of Florida's request for a 71.5 percent average statewide rate increase, the largest increase sought by any major insurer in the state. If approved, the rate hike would become effective Nov. 10 and affect all of Nationwide's 240,000 Florida policyholders. The fourth-largest property insurer in the state, Nationwide has stopped writing new policies in Florida. Public hearings are required for all rate hikes of more than 15 percent. The senior center is at 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport.

Hess station admits overcharging for gas

A St. Petersburg Hess gas station admitted that it illegally charged customers higher gas prices when they used their credit cards over the past month, a spokesman for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said. The state received three complaints from consumers who used credit cards about the extra charges at the Hess station in the 6200 block of 54th Avenue N, said Terry McElroy, spokesman for the Department of Agriculture. The station was charging as much as 3 percent more than the posted price.

[Last modified September 18, 2006, 23:11:06]