Identifying Local Opportunities

1. Title: "1 Dead, 4 from Duval in in Custody After 11-hour Manhunt in St. Johns."
Link: http://www.jacksonville.com/news/20180913/1-dead-4-from-duval-in-custody-after-11-hour-manhunt-in-st-johns
Description of Story: In the middle of the night and into the early morning on Thursday, there was a full force manhunt for suspects as a result of a shooting that left one man dead in St. John's county. The manhunt lasted until about 1pm that afternoon and it came to a conclusion thanks to a call received by a citizen who had an idea of where the suspect might be.
The Problem: The problem is very clear in this story. It is that there was someone with a gun who was willing to use that weapon to bring harm onto others.
Who Has the Problem?: The citizens of St. Johns county, the victim, the St. John's County Police Department.
2. Title: "Baltimore Commutes Again Among Nations Longest, Census Data Show"
Link: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-baltimore-commute-20180913-story.html
Description of Story: Data was just recently released from the 2017 American Community Survey and it ranks Baltimore in the Top 10 worst cities for commuting. This means the citizens of Baltimore are spending longer, on average, commuting than all but 7 United States major metropolitan cities.
The Problem: It is taking people longer than the national average commuting from point A to point B. Traffic is a huge problem. Car accidents are a byproduct of bad traffic.
Who Has the Problem?: Citizens who have daily commutes from work, businesses who may be missing out on customers because of the longer commutes, drivers who's safety may be at a higher risk.
3. Title: "A Desperate Place Left Far Behind in Rick Scott's Economy"
Link: https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/09/14/a-desperate-place-left-far-behind-in-rick-scotts-economy/
Description of Story: This story highlights the long lines of people that are waiting in line at a local food pantry in Marianna county. The story emphasizes that this may be the result of a not-so-great economy that is contrary to what Governor Rick Scott boasts about.
The Problem: The problem highlighted in this story is that there are less jobs in certain areas of Florida than there were when Rick Scott first took office in 2011. One of Scott's promises was a better economy and more jobs, and this article states he may have failed on delivering that promise.
Who Has the Problem?: Citizens of Marianna county who are unemployed, businesses that are failing due to a lack of disposable income in their community, the food pantry that is running out of food due to an increase in traffic at their location.
4. Title: "City of Akron, Akron Community Foundation Announces Grants to Help Residents Improve Neighborhoods"
Link: https://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2018/09/city_of_akron_akron_community_1.html#incart_river_index
Description of Story: This story highlights the $203,840 grant that was just awarded to the communities of Akron, Ohio in order to "beautification, placemaking, recreation, outreach and youth-based initiatives that aim to enhance residents' lives."
The Problem: While I believe this is a very positive story, I think there is an underlying problem here. In order for a grant to be given there needs to be a reason and the reason for the Akron communities is that there is some issues that need to be taken care of.
Who Has the Problem?: The citizens of Akron communities, the city of Akron, the Akron Community Foundation, the police department of Akron.
5. Title: "Costs Keep Apartment Development Slow Here as It Booms in Jacksonville"
Link:  http://www.staugustine.com/news/20180911/costs-keep-apartment-development-slow-here-as-it-booms-in-jacksonville
Description of Story: This article highlights the recent struggle for people looking to rent apartments in St. Johns county, as the production of these apartments have been minuscule compared to the booming production in nearby Jacksonville, or Duval county.
The Problem: The problem in this story is that citizens who are looking to move to St. Johns county or stay in St. Johns but live in an apartment, are having to look elsewhere as the costs of building new apartment complexes and buildings are too high, whereas new buildings are popping up all over the place in downtown Jacksonville.
Who Has the Problem?: People looking for apartments to live in St. Johns county. Realtors in St. Johns county who have customers looking for apartments.