1. Rock Gym faces unstable ground, buoyed by locals' support
http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7E65B287302D0?p=AWNB
Description:
Due to the unfortunate recent discovery of cracked and sinking concrete slabs, The Gainesville Rock Gym has temporarily been forced to close. The gym previously had plans to expand their gym due to it's enormous popularity and success, but those plans are paused for now. The 400 active members and its 10,000 monthly customers will receive free or reduced climbs from other rock gyms in surrounding areas until the foundation is fixed.
Problem:
The main problem in this situation is the forced laying off of 20 employees at Gainesville Rock Gym. Another issue is that rock climbers in Gainesville have to go to a different gym until the necessary $100,000 is raised to fix the foundation.
2. GPD video goes viral: Police officer's response to kids playing basketball a slam dunk
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A8E38FB89DA700?p=AWNB
Description: I'm sure you've heard this story already, as it has gone national thanks to a follow up from Shaq. Two weeks ago there was a dispatch call to GPD about a group of kids causing a disturbance in an Alachua county neighborhood. Upon arrival, Officer Bobby White discovered three African American kids playing basketball. It has been inferred that the race of the boys was the reason for the call. Instead of stopping the kids, the officer joined their basketball game, and then even more kids showed up to play. The video concludes with a statement that people need to stop calling about "kids being kids" and let the officers worry about real crime.
Problem: While this story is great for publicity for GPD, there is a problem with officers being dispatched in non-emergency situations. If this continues, there could be a real issue with officers not being available in case of a real crisis.
3. Vellos closes, Buffalo Wild Wings opens
http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A6696306A50108?p=AWNB
Description: This article is about a new business coming to downtown Gainesville. Buffalo Wild Wings is opening its doors at the location where Vello's has been for six years. The article also mentions stories about other locations in Gainesville that are either expanding, relocating, or completely changing into something else.
Problem: The problem is with restaurants in Gainesville that seem to be popular are closing their doors for common chain restaurants. The owner claims that he simply had the wrong concept in that location.
4. Gainesville man gets 270-day jail sentence in puppy death
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A9388B69AA9488?p=AWNB
Description: A Gainesville man was sentenced to 270 days in jail for animal cruelty. After having his pit bull mix puppy for only 2 days, Meldwige Gregoire returned the animal to Animal Services, but this time it was dead. The puppy had evidence of severe abuse including stomping on the puppy's back and hind legs, and kicking the dogs ribs. Gregoire claims the injuries were the result of"discipline".
Problem: The problem here is that this man should have never been allowed to adopt this puppy. There needs to be background checks with a waiting period before someone is allowed a puppy.
5. Dogs patronize Gainesville restaurants, never pick up tab
http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A88EA81308DD20?p=AWNB
Description: This article explained the increasing popularity of restaurants allowing dogs inside during operating hours. However, these establishments do not have the proper permits to do so. Only 5 businesses in the Gainesville area have these permits, but others are trying to join the dog-friendly trend in an illegal fashion.
Problem: The problem is that theses negligent businesses can face a hefty fine for allowing dogs into the establishment without the proper permit. This can cause sanitary problems and risk hefty fines if the restaurants in question do not either stop this practice or go through the proper procedure to allow dogs inside.
Hey Kate!
ReplyDeleteI found your post very interesting! I also read the article about Rock Gym having to close its doors due to the foundation. A lot of my friends enjoy going there so it was clear to me how big of an issue this was. I also heard about the Gainesville Police Department story. I think it was great that that got some media attention because too often you hear about something the police are doing wrong and this was very refreshing. I find it disappointing that many of the original locally owned restaurants in Gainesville are having to close their doors because of an influx in common chain restaurants. I really liked reading your post, thanks for sharing!
Here is a link to my blog post on Identifying Local Opportunities if you want to check it out: http://wsentrepreneurship.blogspot.com/2016/01/identifying-local-opportunities.html
The article about the kids playing basketball is so sad, and is actually along the lines of one of the issues I discussed on my blog in the top 5 world problems.
ReplyDeletehttp://ent3003max.blogspot.com/2016/01/top-5-world-problems-week-4.html
With so many people still discriminating nowadays, police are wasting time on ridiculous calls such as the one you stated above. However, I will say there are cases still occurring today in which the police officer arrives and the real crime begins, in which the African American children are then harassed, and possibly even harmed, by the police officer. Although I'm glad to hear that this wasn't the case this time, it's sad that these calls are even made at all.
Hello Kate!
ReplyDeleteI found your local issues very interesting to read about. I had heard bits and pieces about the story about Shaq, but it is interesting to hear the real reason behind the "disturbance". The story concerning the abused puppy is very disturbing to me. It is astonishing how someone could commit such a cruel act, and a solution should be implemented to ensure an act like that can't happen again.http://opportunistictimes.blogspot.com
Hey!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your articles that you have posted about! I especially love the one about the puppies! YES! I hate people that abuse animals.. that is the worst! How could you possibly break a puppies back trying to "discipline" it? Also, it sounds really unfortunate for the gym!