FRIDAY, NOV. 7, 2008
TAMPA:
Odyssey Finds Two Shipwrecks Off Coast of Ireland
Treasure hunting company Odyssey Marine Inc. said in court filings that it has found two more sunken ships near the entrance to the English Channel.
Both are "beyond the territorial waters or contiguous zone of any sovereign nation," the Tampa-based company said Wednesday in filings. The two vessels are steel-hulled, the company revealed. Read on for more ...
[Source: Tampa Tribune]
More on Odyssey Marine from Florida Trend:
NEW YORK:
Retail Shoppers Hold Tight to Their Dollars
Just when retailers didn't think business could get worse, October's financial meltdown put even more shoppers on the sidelines, too scared to spend.
Sales slumped deep enough last month that the most commonly cited barometer of chain store sales hit a 39-year low. The index would have plummeted significantly further had it not been for a 2.4% sales gain at Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
"The retail environment in October was simply awful," said Michael Niemira, chief economist for the International Council of Shopping Centers.
The spending chill cut across all categories, from luxury goods to normally recession-resistant wholesale clubs.
With consumer spending accounting for two-thirds of gross domestic product, retailers will use numbers to lobby for another economic stimulus payment to minimize recession. [Source: St. Petersburg Times]
› Also: Fort Lauderdale-based AutoNation posts $1.4 billion loss for third quarter
STATEWIDE:
These Young Floridians Are Well-Connected
The next generation of Florida leaders is honing its skills and making connections at young professional groups around the state. Here are some of those future leaders. [Source: Florida Trend]
BROWARD COUNTY:
New Schools May Never Be Built
Nine Broward schools and 20 classroom buildings are on hold -- and may never be built -- because state officials think the district will have about 35,000 more seats than students five years from now, Broward School members learned Thursday. Board members greeted the news, based on a state survey of district classroom space, with chagrin. Several of the schools on the list, including a long-planned West Broward high school, have been on parents' wish lists for years. [Source: Sun-Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Could Science Standards Devolve into New Battle?
After the evolution fight ended in February, everyone thought Florida's new science standards were good to go until 2014.
But are they?
Maybe not, according to overlooked wording in one of last spring's new education laws and the opinion of a key legislative staffer.
› FPL Receives OK to Pass Along $1 Billion in Costs
But the state Public Service Commission postponed a decision on whether to also allow FPL to charge customers for $220 million in nuclear costs and part of its proposed $7 billion in fuel and purchased power costs. Also: Who should pay $6M for Turkey Point shutdown?
› Road to Parenthood
Preimplantation genetic testing and in vitro fertilization let couples minimize the risk of passing along a hereditary disease.
› Hillsborough Finally Finishes Vote Count
Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson conceded and congratulated his challenger, Phyllis Busansky, minutes after the long-awaited results of early voting had been tabulated. The polls had been closed for nearly two days.
› 20,000 Realtors Meet in Orlando, Embrace Audacity of Hope
As 20,000 Realtors from around the country gather today in Orlando for their annual conference and exposition, the theme is "Full Speed Ahead."
›Wetland Bank Primed to Open
Entrepreneur Bill Casey is creating a 161-acre wetland mitigation bank in which developers can buy credits in repentance for destroying swampland elsewhere.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Hurricane Paloma Forecast to Reach Category 3
The National Hurricane Center predicts the late season storm will steam over the Cayman Islands tonight and on Saturday.
› Sarasota and Nonprofit See a Chance to Join Forces
Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County is building two new houses on Maricopa Road, a big share of the limited construction activity in the current economic downturn. North Port issued only seven new home permits last month, including the Habitat houses.
› Shuttle Future 'Urgent' Issue for New President
The space shuttle's retirement is listed as one of 13 "urgent issues" that government auditors believe need immediate attention from President-elect Barack Obama. Related: Big business braces for less-friendly Washington
› Developer Steve Walsh's Bills: $255M; His Estate: $6M or Less
Dead Winter Park developer Steve Walsh owes banks and investors $255 million, his creditors claim, but the lawyer for Walsh's estate says they likely will never see a penny of it.
› Where Have the Builders Gone?
Jacksonville luxury condos abandoned and facing demolition.
› Tampa Mega Church Faces Foreclosure
The future of Without Walls International Church, once one of the fastest-growing congregations in the country, is in jeopardy as the church faces foreclosure of its Tampa property.
› Tampa Airport Delays Terminal Construction
Tampa International Airport's plan for a $950 million North Terminal likely will be delayed from October 2015 until sometime from 2018 to 2020 as the poor economy slows air travel projections.
› 9,000 Reasons to Watch Tourism Bureau's Spending
Scott Maxwell: Orange County's Gary Sain used more than $9,000 in agency money to buy a business-class ticket to Dubai -- while multi-multimillionaire Harris Rosen was in the back of the plane flying coach.
› Consumers Cry Foul Over Citizens' Shift to Low-Rated Firms
Their concerns have prompted consumer advocates and insurance industry observers to issue a warning: Do your homework.
› Noven Pharmaceuticals' Revenues Up for Third Quarter
Noven Pharmaceuticals, the South Miami-Dade drug maker, reported Thursday revenue for the third quarter of $25.7 million, an 18% increase over the $21.8 million for the same period last year.
› Florida's Billion-Dollar Deficit Is Growing
Florida's cash shortfall is growing, now at a projected $1.25 billion.
Gov. Charlie Crist will have until Nov. 12 to decide whether or not to allow DFS to borrow $500 million in additional cash from state trust funds to avoid a shortfall in the state's general revenue account.
› Orlando Community Bank Hires Wachovia Veteran
Wachovia Corp.'s former Central Florida president, Marshall Vermillion, has taken a senior management job with one of the region's fast-growing community banks.