5 Things to Know Today: Friday, September 2

Chief Vincent's Blog: Gulfport Police Chief Robert Vincent posted a new blog entry on Thursday. It's called More Perspective on Outsourcing Dispatch.

Tour Tickets Gone: There are no more tickets for free public tours of the USS Independence at the Port of St. Petersburg. Tickets were handed out Thursday at the Mahaffey Theater Box Office beginning at noon. They were given out within an hour. The Navy is requiring timed tickets for the tours for security reasons.

Still Want to see the USS Independence: If you didn't get a ticket you can still see the ship while it makes its way to the
Port of St. Petersburg area Bay Vista Park, 7000 Fourth St. S.; from the St. Petersburg Pier, 800 Second Ave. N.E.; Lassing Park, 18th Ave. S. or 22nd Aves. S.; Poynter Park, located at 1000 Third St. S. via 11th Ave. S.; or the city's panoramic webcam (Camera 1) at www.stpete.org/webcam. The Navy trimaran is expected to dock at 10 a.m. Friday at the Port.

Geckofest is Tomorrow!: Are you ready for the 11th Annual Geckofest in downtown Gulfport? Will you be taking part in the parade? Send us your photos of the days events at cherlene.willis@patch.com or post some of them on our Facebook page.

Friday Forecast: We have a 40% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Otherwise, it'll be mostly sunny with a high near 87. Expect an east southeast wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Tonight, we have a 20% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m. Partly cloudy with a low around 79 and an east southeast wind between 11 and 15 mph with gusts as high as 21 mph.