Survey: Summer jobs help pay for necessities

Hourly jobs during the summer are more than just a way for young people to earn cash for fun. Many of the respondents in a recent survey said they needed the income for basic necessities.

Among those ages 22-24, the top reason for needing a summer job — cited by 43 percent — was to pay for living expenses.

Among respondents in the 16-18 age group, 26 percent said their summer jobs would help with college savings, 23 percent said they wanted to buy a car, and 15 percent said they needed the money for living expenses.

Only those 15 and younger said their jobs were mainly for recreational pursuits.

The polling was done earlier this month by SnagAJob.com Inc., a job-search site for hourly jobs, based in Richmond, Va.

Technology: University researchers hope to predict crimes

New technology for analyzing more than a decade of extensive crime data may soon help police predict crimes in a given neighborhood one month in advance.

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University say their software, to be released later this summer, can predict the number and types of crimes within a 10-block area with a 20 percent error rate.

“This is the next generation of crime mapping,” said Wilpen Gorr, a Carnegie Mellon professor of public policy and management information systems.

Researchers are running final tests on the project, which is funded by the National Institute of Justice.

With models similar to those economists use to warn of recession or inflation, Gorr said researchers matched criminal reports, 911 calls on shots fired and census data along with a mishmash of yellow page listings and seasonal variations.

Motley Fool: Name that company

Based in St. Louis, my name evokes the northern lights. I’ve become a leading grocery products company by both growing internally and making a bunch of key acquisitions. Under my roof, you’ll find such familiar names as Mrs. Butterworth’s, Log Cabin, Duncan Hines, Van de Kamp’s, Mrs. Paul’s, Celeste, Aunt Jemima, Chef’s Choice and Lender’s. I’ve fallen on hard times recently, losing many millions of dollars, and falling into penny-stock territory. I’ve downsized my staff and am looking to sell some of my brands. Who am I?