February housing report: Signs of a slowdown?

Existing home sales dropped in February from the previous month, and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) isn’t sugar-coating the news. Although Chief Economist Lawrence Yun cited blizzards and stock market declines as factors, the main problem is growing fear over the economy, he said. Full story from the NAR is here. Also see more at the Palm Beach Post.

Related:
» Home sales fall, prices rise
» Tampa Bay home prices continued to soar in February
» Manatee, Sarasota home prices stay high as sales stagnate
» Northeast Florida housing market continues to post strong numbers
» Naples area has largest percentage home sale drop in state, but prices still soar

In Florida, strawberry fields are not forever

Take a look at the next box of strawberries you find in the store. Depending on where in the country you happen to be, it may have come from Florida. But it won't for much longer. Why? California has come to dominate the American strawberry business. [Source: NPR]

Florida’s average gas prices rise 29 cents in 20 days

With each passing day, the price of gasoline gets more expensive. In the past 20 days, gas prices have risen a total of 23 cents nationwide and 29 cents in Florida. More from the Naples Daily News and the Florida Times-Union.

» Check gas prices in your Florida neighborhood at this GasBuddy map.

President Obama talks business with Cuban entrepreneurs

U.S. business executives met with Cuban business people Monday during President Barack Obama’s visit to Cuba in the conviction that they might be able to fix things between the two former adversaries even if government policy lags. [Source: Miami Herald]

» Your turn:Your opinion of President Obama visiting Cuba? (quick poll)

Theme park visitors save money with grocery delivery

As visitors try to defray costs of theme park vacations, grocery-delivery companies are cashing in. Services such as Garden Grocer, WeGoShop and Orlando Grocery Express, which cater to tourists in Orlando, say sales have increased. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Jacksonville launches LED streetlight replacement project [AP]
Jacksonville Electric Authority is installing energy-efficient streetlights that officials say will save the city $1 million a year in electricity costs.

› Staples, Office Depot head to court in FTC battle on merger [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Staples and Office Depot are scheduled to begin a U.S. District Court hearing on federal regulators' challenge to their $6.3 billion merger.

› Space Florida boosts early-stage pitch contest by $150,000 [Orlando Sentinel]
Space Florida is providing $150,000 in cash to one of the state’s biggest venture capital pitch sessions -- the Florida Early Stage Capital Conference.

› FIU may get driverless shuttle in state test of new tech [Miami Herald]
A driverless shuttle may be coming to Florida International University in a state program that would give the school a sneak peek at how autonomous vehicles could revolutionize modern transportation.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› New South Florida condo boom to add millions of square feet in living space [Miami Herald]
If condo developers follow through with their announced plans, the total size of South Florida’s coastal market is poised to grow by at least 27 million square feet of sellable living space during this current preconstruction boom that began in 2011.

› Mix of barbecue styles lights up Central Florida food scene [Orlando Sentinel]
With the help of reality television, the artisan cooking movement and the fast casual dining trend, the barbecue industry is smoking in Central Florida and nationwide.

› Jacksonville NAS fixes airplanes, makes needed parts, too [Florida Times-Union]
A hangar at Jacksonville Naval Air Station is full of F-18s in various states of disassembly. Fighter jets are surrounded by parts, from full wings to crates with smaller pieces.

› Florida among most-expensive states in which to own a car [Orlando Business Journal]
Florida is among the most-expensive states in which to own a car, according to a new study from GoBankingRates.com. The study looked at the costs of six key factors affecting the expenses of owning a car in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.