Plane Makes Emergency Landing

A stalled vehicle report last week turned out to be a little more than Bay County Sheriff's Office deputies expected.

A pilot of a small, single engine plane typically used to pull advertising banners along the beach reported that he was forced to land the plane after he began experiencing engine trouble. The deputy responding to the call found the plane in the parking lot of the Innovations Federal Credit Union on Thomas Drive.

After his plane began to shake violently, the pilot jettisoned his banner and attempted an emergency landing at Panama City Airport. As he began to lose power, the pilot reported then was forced to land on Thomas Drive, flying under power lines and the traffic signal at the intersection with Laird Drive.

There were no reported injuries or damage. The plane was to remain in the business parking lot until the owner could arrange transportation.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.