Identifying Local Opportunities

Isaiah Miller

UFID: 80191457

Identifying Local Opportunities

5/26/2020

'Two legendary bars in Jacksonville's beaches may be coronavirus casualties'

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/life/food/first-coast-foodies/when-will-florida-bars-reopen/77-2cb76d0b-933d-4574-b3bc-d6638a42f1bc

This story addresses the reopening on businesses (especially restaurants and bars) in the Jacksonville Beach area.  Although a number of businesses are coming back strong, two businesses in particular: Pete's Bar, and Ragtime Tavern, are facing potential bankruptcy.  The owners of one restaurant mentions that they didn't close their doors during other major life-threatening events of the past, so shouldn't be forced to now, especially when it means de-facto bankruptcy.  The restaurant owners have the problem of not being able to operate, and bleeding cash.  The patrons have the problem of not being able to return to their favorite restaurants and bars for now, and maybe forever. 

'Overdose in Clay County leads to investigation resulting in eight arrests'

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/crime/overdose-in-clay-county-leads-to-investigation-resulting-in-eight-arrests/77-fa8dec8b-66bd-4472-8b2b-c51831e3fdbc

This is a story of a drug-house that was responsible for an overdose last month, and is now being exposed for harboring over ten people for the sole purpose of drug usage.  Apparently this house was littered with trash and human excrement, and was discovered by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. The problem facing JSO is rampant drug usage and drug houses in Jacksonville. They are responsible for dealing with it, so it is a big problem for them.  The negative image this has on our city is an overarching problem for the Jacksonville residents in general.

'Prominent Jacksonville church leader says the President cannot tell them when church should reopen'

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/community/prominent-jacksonville-church-leader-says-the-president-cannot-tell-them-when-church-should-reopen/77-2ef1a54c-989b-4173-bc89-4ef936248d69

This story is about a local pastor that, although being urged by the administration to reopen, is expressing his right to decide when to reopen himself.  Although he agrees that virtual worship is not the same as in-person worship, he believes he should have the right to choose the safest time to reopen without penalty to him, even if it means later rather than sooner.  The pastor and church are facing the problem of being influenced to open, in their opinion 'too soon.'

'For trade students, online classes can't replicate hands-on'

https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2020/05/23/for-trade-students-online-classes-cant-replicate-hands-on/

This story is about trade-programs and their ineffectiveness in a virtual setting. It underscores the necessity of hands-on learning for trade-programs, as most trades involve working with your hands, and applying concepts, not just memorizing them.  In this case, virtual training for trade students is insufficient, leaving them at a disadvantage when it comes to applying their knowledge.  The trade students themselves are the ones facing a problem, and the problem is spending the same time and money for a lackluster education that doesn't teach them all they need to be able to perform their duties in the workforce. 

'Citgo sues Miami firm over millions lost in Venezuela fraud'

https://www.news4jax.com/business/2020/05/26/citgo-sues-miami-firm-over-millions-lost-in-venezuela-fraud/

This story is about the lawsuit against José Manuel González, the owner of a Miami-based petroleum logistics company. Citgo is suing Gonzalez, alleging that he provided a Citgo executive gifts in various forms, in exchange for business transactions at inflated costs to Citgo.  There are numerous problems here, but the main problem is Citgo's problem of having negative PR, losing money, and also discovering that their executive culture could be dirty.  Gonzalez also has a problem since he is being sued by a MNC, and his company is being accused of criminal bribery.