Identifying Local Opportunities

Articles

1. "Scam Alert" by Joseph Erickson

• https://mycbs4.com/news/local/dewarn-of-popular-scamming-methods
• In Levy County, Fl, Police have warned the citizens in the area of a scam that has been occurring over the phone. There is a robotic voice that will call locals personal phone numbers and claim that there is an issue regarding their social security numbers. The scammer proceeds to ask the person on the phone to get into contact with an "investigator" where they then ask for personal information.
• Along with the phone scam, there is a scam that is in ties with the "Dr. Pepper" ad which is when they promise the caller a large lump sum of money. Once the person decides to allow the scammer to deposit the money into their account they claim they have to make a donation and can keep the rest which gives the scammer access to the victims account and they are then robbed a large sum of money from their accounts.
• The Problem: Innocent victims are being lied to and robbed over their own phones and this can be a big potential problem to those who are not aware this scam is even occurring. This can cause many to loose a large amount of money or even give someone access to their social security information unintentionally.
• The People: Older people and middle age adults who may not be tech savvy or familiar with the patterns of scammers or phony phone calls.

     2. "UF Researcher Speaks on Coronavirus" by Nicole Rodgers

• https://www.wcjb.com/content/news/UF-researcher-speaks-on-Coronavirus-567439331.html
• The Coronavirus is an outbreak that originated from China and has made its way to the United States by those who have fled to the country prior to the quarantine. This virus is serious in the matter that many have died from it and it can  easily spread to those around someone infected. More locally, health researchers are concerned with those who might carry the virus fleeing too Gainesville and taking residency here.
• This can lead to problems because there is no reported cases in Florida yet, let alone in Gainesville where thousands of students take residency during this time of year. The researcher says it is very easy for someone contaminated with the virus to hop on a plane and travel to Gainesville, and people should take precautions by washing their hands on a regular basis and even wear a mask to prevent catching the virus orally.
• The Problem: A virus that has made an outbreak in China and has travelled to the United States. There are many young adults who live in Gainesville during this time of year and researchers and medical experts are concerned for the health and safety of the students and those who live here full time as well.
• The People: UF Students and those who live in Gainesville, Florida year round

    3.  "GRU Bills Decreasing Slightly Starting in February" by Landon Harrar

• https://www.wcjb.com/content/news/567440291.html
• The fuel adjustment charge, taking effect on February 1st, will decrease fuel price by .35 cents. This might seem like a minor change to many, but in fact over time this decrease will have a positive impact on consumers bills and allows them to keep more of their income for use towards something else, like another expense.
• The reasoning for this decrease is due to fuel powering the plants, which is the fuel adjustment cost charged to customers. When companies are able to find a cheaper and more efficient source that in turn benefits the customers in the long run, they take advantage of this opportunity and customers are ultimately happier.
• The Problem: a high charge is now lowered and consumers don't have to spend as much on their fuel adjustment bills which can lead to more disposable income in the long run per household.
• The People: middle age adults and elders who are responsible for paying all the households expenses.

    4. "Gainesville Sets to Become First U.S. City With Self-Driving Buses on Public Roads" by Mary Katherine Delegal

• https://www.wuft.org/news/2020/01/30/gainesville-set-to-become-first-u-s-city-with-self-driving-buses-on-public-roads/
• Although this self driving bus has been present in other locations in the United States, Gainesville becomes the first place to test these buses on open public roads. Prior to this, these buses were only used on designated roads for public use, but now Gainesville is introducing a new concept to the invention. 
• The testing of these buses occur in the early morning hours with approval from the city for safety, and they currently are under the testing phase for the next six months. This a major success if all goes well because many people rely on public transportation to get to their jobs or school or even simply to the grocery store, and with these automatic buses running around town more people can get to where they need to go. 
• The Problem: a large amount of demand for public transportation within a certain time period to a variety of locations that only so many manual workers can drive to at one given time.
• The People: UF Students, Employees, Homeless people, or those who don't have any other form of transportation to get where they need to go.

    5. "Florida Senate Takes Aim at Sunscreen Bans" by Ana Ceballos

• https://www.wogx.com/news/florida-senate-takes-aim-at-sunscreen-bans
• Florida legislations have taken charge and have banned organizations for not allowing local officials to regulate any drug or cosmetic that is sold over the counter. Key West has started a trend to ban certain sunscreens that have been linked to destroying the coral reefs due to the toxins and chemicals that make up the sunscreen. 
• Senate Robert Bradley has made an argument concerning that these bans on certain sun screens can send mixed signals and lead people to stop using sunscreen all around which can lead to large increases in skin cancers amongst the general public. He also took a stance and provided evidence that these chemicals reachers claim to be "harmful" to the coral reefs are only harmful when exposed to concentration levels that are not natural in the environment.
• The Problem: There is a dispute between those who find that certain sunscreens should be banned from use and protect the coral reefs while other see it as a harmful threat to humans because it may misguide them to thinking sunscreen is not important and can lead to an increase in skin cancers amongst the population.
• The People: all the locals of Florida who plan on being in the sun and using sunscreen or taking the information and not applying anything at all.