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Troubled Times

5A – Identifying Local Opportunities


I just moved from Fort Walton Beach to study here in Gainesville, and have been out of the loop for a few weeks so I checked in on the NWF Daily News. These are just a few of the things i missed out on.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Let locals control beach smoking

Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ANFDN3%21Northwest%2BFlorida%2BDaily%2BNews%2B%2528Fort%2BWalton%2BBeach%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0122%21January%2B22&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171280DE068A7040
  • A description of the story, in your own words
This article is discussing new state legislature that proposes to ban smoking on public beaches. the author thinks that this is something that should be left to local authorities to decide.
  • A description of the problem presented in the story
Because the author is not writing about the dangers of smoking (which thankfully they acknowledge), the problem being discussed is the limits of far reaching regulation and the merits of letting local governments decide policy.
  • A description of who has the problem
This is an interesting issue because in this case it is between the state and the county governments, but usually I think we hear more about this problem between federal and state powers.

LETTERS: Helping our Coast Guard folks during the shutdown

Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ANFDN3%21Northwest%2BFlorida%2BDaily%2BNews%2B%2528Fort%2BWalton%2BBeach%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1712DBE43449C5D0

  • A description of the story, in your own words
This is a set of letters sent by locals that the newspaper posted to show support and collect aid for Coast Guard workers being effected by the government shutdown (which was ended a few hours before I posted this). The first letter is only about supporting the coast guard and asking for supplies and donations while the second is a much more political letter responding to a previous letter criticizing Democratic congressmen visiting Puerto Rico during the shutdown.
  • A description of the problem presented in the story
The obvious problem in this letter is the government shutdown and the thousands of workers that went without pay or work because of it.
  • A description of who has the problem
The employees and contractors of the government who had to go without the pay they were the most directly effected.

Joe's Bayou UPDATE: Destin waiting on FEMA to inspect facilities damaged by hurricane

Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ANFDN3%21Northwest%2BFlorida%2BDaily%2BNews%2B%2528Fort%2BWalton%2BBeach%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0123%21January%2B23&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1712DBE3C8311B60
  • A description of the story, in your own words
After the recent hurricane, which we thankfully were just on the edge of in FWB, many buildings and areas were damaged and still have yet to be reopened. This article focuses on some of the docks and a pier that are expected to get inspected by FEMA in February before they can be repaired and reopened.
  • A description of the problem presented in the story
The problem is the damage done by the hurricane and the slow response from our disaster relief services.
  • A description of who has the problem
The people who want to go to the parks and fish are the ones effected by this, but outside of my area there are thousands who were harmed in more serious ways across the rest of Florida.

Derelict cruiseliner El Dorado to get second life as a 3-story artificial reef

Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ANFDN3%21Northwest%2BFlorida%2BDaily%2BNews%2B%2528Fort%2BWalton%2BBeach%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0123%21January%2B23&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171280DEA69A2FD8
  • A description of the story, in your own words
This is another about the effects of Hurricane Michael, but in this case is about Lee Ingram who's ship was sunk in the storm. After the El Dorado sunk, Ingram donated the wreck to the county and it is now being made into an artificial reef.
  • A description of the problem presented in the story
More damage caused and property loss from the hurricane.
  • A description of who has the problem
Lee Ingram is the only person with the problem in this article, and he used it to generously help his community that relies on these reefs for commercial fishing and tourism.
Fire destroys shop in Crestview, fire pit likely cause
Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ANFDN3%21Northwest%2BFlorida%2BDaily%2BNews%2B%2528Fort%2BWalton%2BBeach%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0123%21January%2B23&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1712DBE3E97A7C08
  • A description of the story, in your own words
This is a short description of a fire in my hometown area, thankfully no one was hurt. The sheriffs who investigated suspect that the fire was started by a fire pit near the shop. The fire was stopped before it could spread and do more than minor damage to the neighboring buildings.
  • A description of the problem presented in the story
This article shows how easily fires get started in hot Florida weather, and how much damage and danger that can cause to those unprepared. Even though Florida is humid and surrounded by water, fire safety is a large problem.
  • A description of who has the problem
Everyone who lives in that area has to be aware of how easily fires start, especially on hot windy days. The state parks are regularly put through controlled burns and we have many different fire departments in the different areas of the county, but

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