Identifying Local Opportunities

 #1: "Got $3,000? That's what some airlines are charging to fly last-minute ahead of Irma"
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/166C12F494838A88?p=WORLDNEWS
Summary: With hurricane Irma approaching many places in Florida, many people are rushing to evacuate themselves and their families. The problem for some is that the obvious means of evacuation for them, by plane, is now nearly impossible. With airline tickets in such high demand, the prices for those last few sights have skyrocketed to over $1000 dollars, and some even going as high as $3578. While there is no regulation against this, many people are outraged that airlines would do this in the event of a disaster, where capitalism should not be the priority. Of course, for the airlines, it is just standard pricing for the last remaining seats that are in high demand.

Problem: The problem lies not with the airlines or the people scrambling for tickets, but with our states preparedness for a natural disaster as strong as hurricane Irma. Since Andrew, many guidelines have improved, and the regulation towards supplies such as water and gasoline is a priority. This article, and others stories I have heard in the news have shown that the biggest problem becomes the ability to evacuate. While Florida's government is working well alongside the Federal government to help everyone who needs to evacuate do so, problems such as this still occur for some people, who see their best options for evacuation limited. This problem, of course is not consistent, and rather randomly occur as natural disasters do. 

Who: People who have the problem are residents of areas soon to be affected by Hurricane Irma, however any hurricane could cause similar problems. Also, specifically, people who have larger families to worry about, and even more specifically, those who's family members or themselves have a medical condition. 

#2: "Will Hospitals Close during Hurricane Irma. Some are already evacuating"
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/166C52A77052BE28?p=WORLDNEWS

Summary: Hospitals are preparing for Hurricane Irma, and like most businesses, will likely close before, during, and after the storm. Jackson Health system will remain open until Thursday, and only physician offices and urgent care will be open Friday. Other hospitals such as Mercy Hospital in Miami have closed down and are evacuating patients. Hospitals in the Keys will not reopen until the storm passes.

Problem: The problem not directly stated by this article, but which is entailed in the information, is for people possibly in need of medical attention during or shortly after the storm. Hospitals will likely be closed,although the Florida government is working to have them reopen as quickly as possible. This is still a large problem for some people, and can mean the difference between life and death following a natural disaster.

Who: The problem exists for people who are effected and will be effected by Hurricane Irma, and other natural disasters that force businesses to shut down, such as earthquakes. Its is significantly greater of a problem for those who have a medical condition or who are injured during such a disaster. 

#3: MIAMI - Checks roll in to brewery - in a scam it wants stopped - A 'secret shopper scam' involving fake checks has Miami's award-winning Wynwood Brewery mixed up in a mail fraud it wants nothing to do with.http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/166BDB1FA622FC38?p=WORLDNEWS
Summary: The story covers a specific occurrence of mail fraud that has involved a Miami brewery in Wynwood. The scam is one of the riskier scams in terms of how likely people are to fall for it. Scammers create a fake check which appears to be worth several thousand dollars and cut by a real company or municipality. They then mail it to an unsuspecting person, with instructions telling them they've been marked as a "secret shopper" to survey big-box stores. "They are instructed to deposit the check at their bank, withdrawing $350 on the spot. Then, they must go to Walmart to make a $50 purchase - keeping the remaining $300 as compensation for their time. Finally - and this is the key step - they are supposed to wire the rest of the check to the company doing the survey". The scammers are getting rich,  and according to Benito Rodriguez, the brewery's finance manager, authorities don't seem to interested.

Problem: The are a few problems brought up in this story. One being that scammers have figured out a loophole in the banking system, where "banks are often willing to accept checks without verifying them, while moving "provisional credit" into a customer's account, which can be withdrawn immediately. By the time the check bounces days or even weeks later, the victim has already wired thousands of dollars - his or her own money - to the scammers. And the stolen funds can't be traced."
This is allowing such scams to take place, but the more troublesome problem is that authorities don't want to, or simply cant, do anything about it. It is something that could affect hundreds of people who are not educated about the situation, and it becomes a problem for them when they cant get their money back, as well as for the companies who are receiving the "blame".

Who: Because the scammers want to avoid getting caught, they are very random in selecting who they attempt to scam. Any unsuspecting person could be sent the fake check in the mail, and while most people will ignore it, those who fall for the deceit will have a very frustrating problem in their hands.

#4: TRANSPORTATION - At the gateway to the Keys, a tollbooth's closing has a human price - The human toll collectors on Card Sound Road collected fares from travelers to and from the Keys for 48 years. Last week, they collected their last tolls before they are replaced by SunPass machines.http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/166B87AB36AB8778?p=WORLDNEWS

Summary: The story covers the thoughts and feelings of toll booth employees, specifically those on the Card Sound Road toll, following their last day on the job before being replaced by SunPass machines. The Card Sound Road toll was known by some as the friendliest toll booth in the country. Some toll collectors had been working the job for over 20 years, it was their life. They knew regular travelers and were good friends, and on their last day were in tears saying goodbye to those who they grew closest with. With this change, the toll is expected to go up in price, leave the employees jobless. And there will no longer be anyone to talk with once the tolls are replaced by machines.
Problem: This story reveals a problem for not only to booth operators, but people in various jobs. That is, the advancements in technology and eventual replacement by machines. The replacement of people by machines is inevitable in this age of technology, and while it is a good thing from a progress perspective, it is a huge problem for the employees of certain jobs. They are left without a job, and might not have any other skill set to immediately find a new job.

Who: Any remaining toll booth operators have this problem, but on a much larger scale, anyone who has a job that can be done by a machine cheaper and more effectively.

#5: Irma washes away quaint restaurant in Gableshttp://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/1670764A744DA600?p=WORLDNEWS

Summary: Following hurricane Irma, many business' have been affected by loss of power and property damage. One Gables restaurant, called Red Fish Grill, has faced Andrew and was closed for 2 years; now sees itself destroyed by Irma. Only the structure remains and even that is partially damaged. Rebuilding is an option, but they need support from the county. Being nationally recognized, they hope to acquire some support.

Problem: Hurricanes present a huge problem to many people and businesses, specifically those who are affected by storm surge. There is not much that can be done to prevent flooding, and the damage afterwards can be devastating. For damaged businesses, without outside support, the ability to rebuild while not operational can be very difficult and is also a problem faced by many, such as the Red Fish Grill.

Who: Owners of businesses that are located near sources of water and are also in an area known for hurricanes.