5A - Identifying Local Opportunities

 #1: “Wells and even springs face a brackish future” by Cindy Swirko of the Gainesville Sun.

•  http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16C0B13FD3FED9C8?p=WORLDNEWS
• Description of story: In this article, written on May 20^th, 2018, the author addresses the chance of saltwater intrusion along the coast and some inland cities. During droughts, Saltwater has been creeping into the aquifer, depleting the fresh water. This has been happening for years, and it is continuing to get worse.  The article states, that many people don’t know much about saltwater intrusion, even though it is inevitable. People here about it, but don’t actually do anything about it. Some cities however, are doing something about it. In cities like Cedar Key, Clearwater, and Cape Coral, utility companies have installed something called a reverse osmosis system. In this system, water is forced through membranes, which in turn removes all the salt. The only bad thing about this system is that it is making the cost of fresh water sky rocket. Saltwater intrusion is happening and it’s going to continue to affect more and more cities and people over the next few years.
• The problem: saltwater intrusion. Saltwater has been filling up wells and some city’s water supply.
• The people: Everyone that lives on the coast and some inland cities. Some cities mentioned in the article that are being effect are Clearwater, Cedar Key, Cape Coral, Jupiter, St. Augustine, and communities along the St. Johns River.

#2: “Experts discuss opioid treatments” by Deborah Strange of the Gainesville Sun.

• http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16C156E5CB651958?p=WORLDNEWS
• Description of story: In this article, it talks about the decrease in prescriptions of opioids, but there is still an increasing number of deaths related to drug overdose. The article states that since 2010, doctors and physicians all over the world have prescribed fewer and fewer opioids. However, this makes it extremely hard for people to get ahold of them and the street value of the drug is continuing to rise. Opioids are extremely addicting, and the people addict to them aren’t bad people, they just have a very bad disease. This article then talks about how addicted people need all the help they can get and should be offered every tool to get sober.
• The problem: Opioids were prescribed to so many people back in the day so there are a lot of people highly addicted to them. Opioids are no longer prescribed, but the people addicted have nowhere and no one to go for help.
• The people: Anyone who is taking or addicted to Opioids.  

#3: “Editorial: Provide help for local businesses” by The Gainesville Sun editorial board

• http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16BFB17300F60C48?p=WORLDNEWS
• Description of story: This article talks about the “changing face of Gainesville.” Gainesville is not your average city that’s dominated by national chains. Instead its known for its local businesses, that make the city interesting and trendy. Sadly, Gainesville has become home to numerous new commercial developments. There has been new huge apartment complexes being built, new name brand stores opening left and right, as well as shopping centers, which are filled with everything you can imagine. The article talks about how local businesses have been destroyed because of these new businesses and restaurants, and how some local owners have been left with nowhere to go. The article finishes up by saying that the residents in Gainesville need to make it a priority to visit all of the locally owned businesses and restaurants that are still up and running. With all of the increased competition and stores being built, it’s important to support the places that make Gainesville the amazing city it is.
• The problem: Local business in Gainesville are being destroyed so that new apartment complexes, strip malls, and other massive commercial developments can be built.
• The people: Local business owners in Gainesville and residents in Gainesville that lost their favorite store or restaurant.

#4: “Wake up, South Florida! Speak up on sea-level rise” by the Miami Herald editorials

•  http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16C08E260C26FA28?p=WORLDNEWS
•  Description of story: This article talks about sea-levels continuing to rise in South Florida. It discusses a whole bunch of things that South Florida is experiencing for the first time; including; sunny-day flooding, saltwater intrusion, sea water bubbling up from storm water drains, they even discuss how some people can’t even leave their homes because of the water during autumn’s king tides. They list a whole bunch of problems that are currently going on in South Florida, and the crazy part it, no one is doing anything about it and no one is actually addressing the problem. The article states, that by 2060 there will be a two-foot rise in sea level in South Florida. With all of these crazy things happening and with this prediction, state and federal leaders should be addressing the problem. The article talks about how our leaders need to be investing and improving storm surge barriers, flood management strategies, elevating roads, and so much more. The article ends with discussing how the Florida Legislature needs to start to think about the future and fix these flooding problems now, before they get worse and cost A LOT more.
• The problem: Sea levels are continuing to rise in South Florida and no one is addressing it or doing anything about it.
• The people: Anyone living in South Florida, specifically anyone close to the coasts.   

#5: “100 men, on road to better futures, are sent back to prison by budget cuts” by Sarah Blaskey of the Miami Herald.

• http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16C13811125A2690?p=WORLDNEWS
• Description of story: This article was by far the most interesting and sadist article I read for this assignment. On May 1^st, 2018, the Turning Point Bridge Community Release Center and 32 others like it throughout the state got a call that there contracts with the FDC will not be renewed because of budget costs. The 33 centers across the state served as a release center for inmates. During the day, these men worked certain jobs, whether it be serving food or building things. After their work day, they got to take classes, better themselves as people, learn how to be successful once they graduate from the program and are officially free, and they get to start preparing for a bright future. The article talks about how 25% of inmates normally return to prison, but that programs like the Turning Point Bridge Community Release Center was able to get that number down to just 12%. The article ended by discussing that with just a little bit of help, they can go a long way and can make it in the world. Sadly, these programs will no longer exist. There was so many small details I found extremely interesting and sad in this post and I highly recommend reading it.
• The problem: Budget cuts have taken away the opportunities for inmates to be released to the Turning Point Bridge Community Release Center (and other centers around the country), where they work on a daily basis, take classes, better themselves, and start preparing for their future. Now these inmates have no money and nowhere to go, and will likely end up back in jail once they are released. These programs were designed to give these men a chance to be someone and to succeed in life. Sadly, they no longer have this opportunity and chance.
• The people: The 100 men and any other prisoners who would have been released to the 33 program centers across the state.