Watch live streaming video from voiceofdouglas at livestream.com
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Cochise College SBDC's Survey on Outsourcing Staffing
|
| |||||
|
Cochise College SBDC | 901 N Colombo Avenue | Sierra Vista | AZ | 85635 |
CER Bi-Weekly Gas Price Press Release 11-4-11
PRESS RELEASE: November 4, 2011
Iris Routhieaux
Information Specialist, Center for Economic Research
Cochise College
901 N. Colombo Ave.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
County gas price down
According to the Cochise College Center for Economic Research's latest biweekly survey of gas prices, conducted October 31 through November 4, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Cochise County decreased from $3.50 to $3.48 over the preceding two-week period. According to AAA Arizona, the statewide price decreased from $3.36 to $3.34 per gallon. Nationally, according to the Energy Information Administration, gas prices decreased from $3.48 to $3.45 during the two-week period.
In Benson, the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline increased slightly from $3.53 to $3.54. In Bisbee, the price decreased from $3.57 to $3.55. The price in Douglas decreased from $3.55 to $3.53 per gallon. In Huachuca City, the price dropped from $3.47 to $3.42. In Sierra Vista, the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline decreased from $3.40 to $3.38. In Tombstone, the price remained unchanged at $3.41. Willcox saw gas prices decrease slightly from $3.49 to $3.48 during the two-week period.
One year ago, the nationwide average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, according to the EIA, was $2.81, which is 64 cents lower than its current price. At the state level, according to AAA Arizona, the price a year ago was $2.76, which is 58 cents lower than the current price per gallon. At the county level, according to the CER survey, the price a year ago was $2.81, which is 67 cents lower than the price from the most recent survey.
| LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL AVERAGE GAS PRICES | ||
| | Week of 10/17/2011 | Week of 10/31/2011 |
| United States | $3.48 | $3.45 |
| Arizona | $3.36 | $3.34 |
| Cochise County | $3.50 | $3.48 |
| Benson | $3.53 | $3.54 |
| Bisbee | $3.57 | $3.55 |
| Douglas | $3.55 | $3.53 |
| Huachuca City | $3.47 | $3.42 |
| Sierra Vista | $3.40 | $3.38 |
| Tombstone | $3.41 | $3.41 |
| Willcox | $3.49 | $3.48 |
# # #
Friday, November 4, 2011
CER Weekly Press Release 11-3-11 Cost of Living
PRESS RELEASE: November 3, 2011
Dr. Robert Carreira
Director, Center for Economic Research
Cochise College
901 N. Colombo Ave.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Local cost of living remains below national average
According to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index, the cost of living in Cochise County remained below the national average in the third quarter of 2011 and overall costs dropped from the second quarter relative to other areas. The report, released in October, provides comparative data for 309 urban areas in all 50 states.
The Council for Community and Economic Research in Arlington, VA administers the index, which measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services in participating areas. The index includes separate weighted sub-indices for grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services.
The data indicate Cochise County's cost of living in the third quarter of 2011 was 0.9 percent lower than the average for all participating places nationwide. This was down from the second quarter, when local costs were only 0.2 percent lower than the national average.
The cost of living in Cochise County in the third quarter was 3.9 percent higher than Tucson and 4.9 percent higher than Phoenix. This reflects a narrowing of the gap in costs between Cochise County and Tucson and a widening of the gap with Phoenix. In the second quarter, the local cost of living was 5.4 percent higher than Tucson and 1.5 percent higher than Phoenix. The higher cost of living in Cochise County than in Tucson in the third quarter was attributable to higher local costs for housing, utilities, and transportation. In comparison to Phoenix, the overall higher cost locally was due to higher costs for housing, transportation, and miscellaneous goods and services.
In the third quarter of 2011, costs were lower in Cochise County than nationwide for grocery items, housing, and utilities, but were higher for transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services.
Local grocery costs were 4.9 percent below the national average in the third quarter of 2011, down from 2.8 percent below the national average in the second quarter.
Cochise County housing costs, which include home prices, mortgage interest rates, and rental rates, were 0.8 percent below the national average in the third quarter, up from 2.3 percent below the national average in the second quarter.
The cost of utilities in Cochise County was 10.8 percent below the national average in the third quarter of 2011, down from 9.8 percent below the national average in the second quarter.
Transportation costs, which include gasoline and automobile maintenance, were 10.1 percent higher than the national average in the third quarter of 2011. This was down from 11.2 percent higher than the national average in the second quarter.
Healthcare costs in Cochise County were 0.3 percent above the national average in the third quarter of 2011. This was up from 3.7 percent below the national average in the second quarter.
The local cost of miscellaneous goods and services was 0.4 percent above the national average in the third quarter of 2011. This was down from 2.6 percent above the national average in the second quarter.
Statewide, there were six places participating in the ACCRA Cost of Living Index in the third quarter of the year. In addition to Cochise County, other participating areas were Flagstaff, Lake Havasu City-Kingman, Phoenix, Prescott-Prescott Valley, and Tucson. Of these, only Tucson and Phoenix had an overall cost of living that was lower than Cochise County. The highest cost of living in Arizona was in Flagstaff, which was 12.4 percent above the national average.
The ACCRA Cost of Living Index data for Cochise County are collected by the Cochise College Center for Economic Research and submitted to the Council for Community and Economic Research for inclusion in the index. Cochise County's participation is sponsored by the Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation, which covers the cost of data collection.
Dr. Robert Carreira is director of the Center for Economic Research at Cochise College. If you have any questions on the economy, please contact the CER at (520) 515-5486 or by email at cer@cochise.edu. Check out the CER's website at www.cochise.edu/cer.
ACCRA COST OF LIVING INDEX, 3RD QUARTER 2011 | |||||||
| Area | Composite Index | Grocery Items | Housing | Utilities | Transportation | Health Care | Misc. Goods & Services |
| Flagstaff Metro | 112.4 | 110.0 | 142.2 | 92.8 | 98.7 | 102.4 | 98.4 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman Micro | 108.9 | 107.0 | 126.2 | 92.9 | 93.5 | 99.6 | 105.1 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Metro | 94.5 | 99.8 | 87.5 | 98.8 | 100.0 | 103.6 | 94.5 |
| Prescott Metro | 100.3 | 104.0 | 112.5 | 93.1 | 89.5 | 100.5 | 93.5 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas Micro* | 99.1 | 95.1 | 99.2 | 89.2 | 110.1 | 100.3 | 100.4 |
| Tucson Metro | 95.4 | 98.5 | 86.3 | 88.5 | 100.7 | 104.9 | 101.6 |
| * The Sierra Vista-Douglas Micropolitan Area is a statistical area designation for all of Cochise County. Sierra Vista and Douglas are included in the title since they are the principal cities that meet the criteria for establishing Cochise County as a Micropolitan Statistical Area. Note. The average for all participating places nationwide equals 100; each participant's index is read as a percentage of the average for all places. Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research, ACCRA Cost of Living Index | |||||||
# # #
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Blowing Dust Advisory for Friday
 |
   |
For Immediate Release: November 3, 2011
Contact: ADOT Public Information Office
news@azdot.gov -or- 1.800.949.8057
Threat of low visibility, dust storms could slow traffic tomorrow
PHOENIX — With the National Weather Service issuing a wind advisory for Friday (Nov. 4), motorists in southern Arizona could have their travel affected on two major interstates.
A cold front with strong sustained southwest winds from 25 to 35 mph, including wind gusts up to 50 mph, is expected to impact most of the state. Widespread blowing dust is expected along stretches of I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix, and from Phoenix to Quartzsite. In addition, dust is possible on I-8 between Casa Grande and Yuma.
In northern Arizona, an unseasonably strong low pressure system and cold front will bring winter weather conditions this weekend, and could result in the first significant snowfall of the season, according to the NWS.
The Arizona Department of Transportation urges drivers to take extra precaution as strong winds over desert areas can result in sudden periods of limited or zero visibility. Motorists play in important role in safety when operating their vehicles during a dust storm. ADOT and the Arizona Department of Public Safety recommend the following driving tips when encountering a dust storm.
▪ Check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
▪ Do not stop in the travel lane unless the vehicle traffic in front of you has come to a stop
▪ Look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
▪ Stop the vehicle in a position ensuring it is a safe distance from the main roadway and not near where any vehicles may travel.
▪ Turn off all vehicle lights.▪ Set your emergency brake and take the foot off the brake.
▪ Stay in the vehicle and keep your seat belts on.
▪ Wait for the storm to pass over and away from the area before re-entering the roadway.
ADOT, along with DPS, will continue to work as a public safety team to support Arizona's highways and drivers and will closely monitor conditions on the highways while maintaining driver safety.
Drivers planning trips tomorrow are urged to monitor travel conditions by calling 5-1-1 within Arizona, 1.888.411.ROAD outside the state, or via the Web at www.az511.gov. Because weather conditions can quickly evolve, drivers are encouraged to regularly check in with ADOT's Traveler Information Service. Motorists should delay or detour travel plans if necessary.
# # #
| Sent on behalf of ADOT by GovDelivery, Inc. • 206 S. 17th Ave • Phoenix, AZ 85007 • 602.712.7355 |  |
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
ADOT: There’s Still Time To Add Your Voice!
|
| |
The Arizona Department of Transportation wants you to add your voice! Join the more than 1,500 who have commented on travel options between Tucson and Phoenix.
If you have already participated – thank you!
Participate online now at http://www.azdot.gov/intercityrail/addingyourvoice1.asp
Online participation is available through November 14, 2011
| Sent on behalf of ADOT by GovDelivery, Inc. • 206 S. 17th Ave • Phoenix, AZ 85007 • 602.712.7355 | |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)