Assignment 5A - Identifying Local Opportunities

"Opioid crisis calls attention to family" by Alanna Durkin Richer

• Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AFTUB%21Florida%2BTimes-Union%252C%2BThe%2B%2528Jacksonville%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0118%21January%2B18&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/17107F15D9E499E0
• Description: The Sackler family has a drug company called Purdue Pharma. They've made billions of dollars from selling OxyContin. Arthur M. Sackler died in1987 and made most of his money from medical research, advertising, and trade publications, etc. He often donated to many institutions, one of which named a building after him called Harvard's Arthur M. Sackler Museum. 
• Problem: The family's ties to OxyContin are bringing the Sacklers a new and unwanted kind of attention and complicating their philanthropic legacy. In 2007, Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty and payed over $600 million for misleading the public about the risks of OxyContin.
• Who has the problem: The Sackler family and executives at Purdue Pharma, as well as anyone who has either been addicted to OxyContin or one of the 72,000 Americans who died in the drug crisis in 2017.

"Cigarette butts 'overwhelming'problem on Florida beaches" by Travis Gibson

• Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AFTUB%21Florida%2BTimes-Union%252C%2BThe%2B%2528Jacksonville%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0118%21January%2B18&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/17107F15AF261180
• Description: 175 volunteers from St. Johns County cleaned up the mess after last year's Independence Day celebration. Around 5,000 cigarette butts were picked up from the beach. Cigarette butts contain plastic fillers, which is a common trash item found on the beach. Senator Joe Gruters introduced SB 218, which bans smoking on Florida's beaches. The penalty would be $25 or 10 hours of community service. The legislation has garnered attention from both sides of the isle and has potential to pass. Ideally, George would like to see cigarette smokers pick up after themselves, but that will likely not be the case. If the proposal is passed, the beach smoking ban would take affect July 1, right before the next Independence Day celebration.
• Problem: Florida's beaches are being littered with cigarette butts.
• Who has the problem: Anyone who attends Florida's beaches, as well as marine life that lives in the ocean, due to pollution from the cigarettes. 

"Education leaders face hurricane, security issues" by Jim Saunders

• Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AFTUB%21Florida%2BTimes-Union%252C%2BThe%2B%2528Jacksonville%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0117%21January%2B17&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/17102B22D6DAA1B8
• Description: Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas outlined a handful of major issues facing public schools during a State Board of Education meeting, including a need to provide support to districts that face rebuilding or replacing schools damaged by Hurricane Michael. Another concern was certain schools in hurricane affected areas leaving the district, which could lead to less funding. Hurricane Michael caused billions of dollars of damage as it roared north into Georgia. Richard Corcoran, a former House speaker indicated the state would work with the hurricane-damaged counties to determine the financial impacts and provide help. Gun control and school safety is another controversial topic to be spoken on, sparked by the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Majory Stoneman Douglas. One of the biggest debates will likely be on the benefits and costs of having armed personnel on campuses. 
• Problem: Hurricanes are forcing students to leave more storm-prone counties, causing them to lose funding. School safety debates are being sparked about what is the best way to approach the issue.
• Who has the problem: Students, teachers, and lawmakers in the hurricane affected counties and the Escambia County regarding gun control.

"Kessee family files lawsuit after jail death" by Jacob McGuire

• Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AGDRG%21Gainesville%2BDaily%2BRegister%2B%2528TX%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0123%21January%2B23&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171276EFCAFF1BF8
• Description: A lawsuit has been filed in response to the death of Marconia Kessee, a mentally ill black man who died in the care of the Cleveland County jail. The suit names about 20 defendants who may have been involved. There is currently no court date set. The case could go on for an extended period of time. The city hasn't been officially involved with the case yet and has no comment. Kessee died two hours after being booked into the Cleveland County jail. Thompson is seeking $75,000 in damages on behalf of his client.
• Problem: A man died quickly and unfairly after being booked into a jail. The cause was ruled an "accident", leading others to believe this could easily have been avoided.
• Who has the problem: Marconia Kessee, the man who died, and his family are the ones experiencing this problem. This could go for anyone else who has been affected in a similar situation.

"Snapchat post leads to shoe robbery" by Derrick James

• Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AGDRG%21Gainesville%2BDaily%2BRegister%2B%2528TX%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0123%21January%2B23&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1712D9488366AE88
• Description: Morris Maurell Tilford Jr. was charged with felony robbery. He was being held with a $25,000 bond in the Pittsburg County Jail. The victim said he posted a photo of some Nike shoes he was selling on his Snapchat and was seeking $100 for them. Tilford swiped up saying he wanted to buy them and wanted to meet at the Tandy Town parking lot. Tilford pulled up next to the victim and signaled for him to get out of the car. Tilford asked to see the shoes and looked at them, and then grabbed a pistol and pointed it at the victim. The victim went straight to the police.
• Problem: The victim was robbed of his shoes he was selling at gun point. 
• Who has the problem: This could be a problem with anyone experiencing social media privacy issues. More specifically though, the victim in this situation has the problem.