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House Planters

House Democrats lining up to support the CR, diminishing chances of a shutdown

House Democrats are lining up behind the GOP’s short-term proposal to fund the government, predicting there will be plenty of bipartisan support to pass the legislation through the lower chamber this week and send it to the Senate.

Emerging from a closed-door caucus meeting in the Capitol basement Tuesday morning, a host of Democrats, representing a wide cross-section of ideologies, said they intend to vote for the measure when it hits the floor later in the day.

“There’s gonna be a lot of Democratic votes,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) said. “I’m inclined to be [among them]. I can’t really think of a compelling reason not to.”

The Democrats emphasized that they’re wary of the Republicans’ “laddered” approach, which splits the agencies into two different buckets and attaches different funding timelines to each one. But those concerns are minor, the lawmakers said, relative to their other priorities: Keeping spending at fiscal year 2023 levels and avoiding contentious policy provisions on conservative wish-list items like abortion and border security.

“I’m not sure it’ll be unanimous. But it looks to me like it addressed our major concerns,” Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) said.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has not yet endorsed the proposal publicly, but leaving Tuesday’s meeting, he acknowledged that there are no “poison pill” provisions, nor spending cuts, that would act to dissolve Democratic support.

And other lawmakers went much further, saying all indications are that Democratic leaders will ultimately support the legislation, joined by much of the caucus.

“They didn’t say that specifically,” Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) said. “But I don’t see anything that would [scare Democrats away]. The two big things are: There are no big cuts, and there’s no poison pill. What else do you want?”

Democratic votes will be crucial to the success of

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By Dawn J. Larkin, 2 weeksNovember 29, 2023 ago

Shed Houses

Ohio House to consider bill to allow communities to permit guns in buildings with courtrooms

When state lawmakers return from the Thanksgiving break, the House could take up a bill that further expands gun rights in Ohio, by allowing people to carry weapons into buildings that have courtrooms in them, but not when court is in session. The bill passed a House committee and is on its way to the floor.

Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon), one of the bill’s two sponsors, said state law already allows municipalities to vote to allow concealed carry in their buildings.

“Our larger cities have distinct courthouses and city halls,” Mathews said. “However, in many of our smaller communities, good stewardship of taxpayer dollars often means a single multi-purpose city or village hall. This city hall may house the tax department, the electric department, council chambers, and a room that is sometimes a courtroom.”

The bill would allow concealed carry weapons in those buildings with courtrooms when court is not in session, if a community passed legislation to permit that.

But opponents have said courtrooms are emotionally charged places, so guns should be far away from them. And Ann Morhan of Moms Demand Action told the House committee hearing the bill it’s part of a continuing trend that worries her.

“It would appear that this House Bill 272 is just another attempt by Republican legislators to continue to pepper the state with guns,” Morhan said. “It is a solution in search of a problem.”

Right after that bill passed along party lines, another Republican-backed bill was approved that ensures federal gun control laws can’t be enforced and would allow Ohioans to sue. Supporters say it would make Ohio a so-called “Second Amendment sanctuary state”, as nearly 20 other states are. That bill is opposed by law enforcement and prosecutors who say it will make it harder to work with federal

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By Dawn J. Larkin, 2 weeksNovember 27, 2023 ago

Shed Houses

House saved when fire claims shed and garage – Park Rapids Enterprise

A woodshed fire that spread to destroy an attached garage came within a beat of involving a home on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 22 in Hubbard County.

According to Park Rapids Fire Department Assistant Chief Ben Cumber, firefighters were paged at 1:02 p.m. to a woodshed on fire in Henrietta Township, and were on scene at 1:06 p.m.

“If that ain’t impressive,” he commented on the four-minute response time.

Cumber said after the call was paged out, an officer on scene issued an update as the fire had extended into the home’s attached garage. When the first engine arrived, firefighters found heavy fire in the garage’s attic.

“After knockdown was done and overhaul began, we found that the fire had burned its way through the firewall into the house,” he said, “but we were able to stop it before any damage took place.”

Cumber said the garage was totaled, but the house was relatively undamaged.

The house’s residents were present when firefighters arrived on scene, he said, but no one was injured.

Asked about an ignition source, Cumber suggested it may have been a chimney fire in the woodshed, pending a formal investigation.

Cumber counted Park Rapids Fire Department apparatus and one Nevis Fire truck on scene, and approximately 30 personnel between the two departments. He estimated they used about 2,000 of water to put out the fire.

The scene was cleared at 2:36 p.m., he said.

“I’ve got to give our guys credit,” said Cumber. “One more minute and that fire would have been in the house. So, due to the response of our guys and help from Nevis Fire it was (stopped). We were literally a minute away from huge trouble, so good job to everybody.”

Also on scene were personnel with North Memorial Ambulance and

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By Dawn J. Larkin, 2 weeksNovember 25, 2023 ago

Garden Fences

Bungalow left empty for 30 years now an eyesore with rats invading neighbours’ gardens | Entertainment

A bungalow left empty for 30 years on a pretty street with sea views is now an eyesore with rats invading neighbours’ gardens. Despite being left to decay, estate agents say a house on the plot could sell for more than a million pounds. But in its present state it is actually knocking up to £50,000 off the value of surrounding houses in one of the most desirable areas of Canterbury district in Kent. With sea views and a quiet neighbourhood, West Cliff Gardens in Herne Bay should be an idyllic place to live. But the street’s tranquillity is marred by the derelict bungalow, formerly known as White Wings, which residents and estate agents say is dragging down property prices. Over the past three decades, weeds have thrived – with a significant proportion of the plot now completely covered by nettles and brambles. Next-door neighbour and grandmother-of-three Michelle Houghman says the house, on the corner with West Cliff Drive, has been in a “state of decay” ever since she moved there nine years ago. Ms Houghman, 57, said: “We can sit out in the garden and the rats that live in the house come through the fence – so I don’t let the grandchildren play in the garden or the pool anymore. “Our cat won’t even go outside anymore because he’s scared of whatever is in the house. It’s in a state of decay and it’s bringing down the value of the properties around here.” A local estate agent, who asked not to be named, estimates that the presence of the bungalow could take 5 per cent off the sale price of adjacent homes, which could translate to as much as £50,000 in potential losses. In its current dilapidated state, he reckons the house would sell for between £350,000 and

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By Dawn J. Larkin, 1 monthOctober 30, 2023 ago

Shed Houses

See inside Louth’s iconic Listoke House as home and buildings go on the market

Listoke House, with its extensive outbuildings, at Ballymakenny just outside Drogheda, is on the books of auctioneers Robert B Daly, with price available on application.

Set on 24 acres, the original Cairnes’ family home was constructed in 1812 and pulled down in 1958, but the outbuildings and attendant servants’ quarters remained.

Today’s News in 90 seconds – September 26th

Owners Patrick and Patricia Barrow opened the grounds to the public for many summers and in 2010 they were joined by their daughter and son in-law Juliet and Raymond Gogan and their four boys. Juliet and Raymond meticulously reconstructed the current house on the foundations of the original Georgian house and it is very much in keeping with the surrounding buildings in the courtyard.

The bright and capacious hall with its impressive sweeping staircase.

The Barrows are descendants of famous families synonymous with Irish and Scotch whiskey- making including the Jamesons, Haigs, Cairnes and the Steins.

The house is approached by a sweeping half mile avenue which then curves up to the main House, which has spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.

The dining room is just one of several reception rooms on the <a href= — The dining room is just one of several reception rooms on the ground floor of Listoke House.

Situated just a short distance from Drogheda and the motorway serving Dublin and Belfast, it offers a tranquil and picturesque setting while still being within easy reach of urban amenities.

The master bedroom in Listoke House has an en suite bathroom.

The more modern house still retains a Georgian charm, spanning 629 sq metres (6,770 sq ft) and standing in the midst of the renowned Arboretum Listoke Gardens, ornate landscaped parklands with pleasure grounds, woodlands, walled

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By Dawn J. Larkin, 1 monthOctober 30, 2023 ago

Shed Houses

Interior designer takes rundown to shed to a luxury cabin!

We have profiled the gorgeous Kangaroo Valley home of interior designer Cecilia Mazadiego before and today we bring you a stylish new free-standing extension that sits at the rear of the home – the ‘Nido’ cabin. Originally a run-down shed at the back of the property, Cecilia took inspiration from the existing shape but entirely rebuilt the structure using a combination of recycled materials and concrete. The result is rather beautiful.

“When we purchased the property, it did have a little shed at the back that was falling apart. I always wanted to do something small and with the same shape as the existing shed. Overall, it turned out to be modern but with raw materials for character,” says Cecilia.

Nido sits behind the main house — Nido sits behind Cecilia’s main house

The home’s previous owners had used the shed to breed chickens and ducks, but it’s certainly got a very different purpose now it’s available to rent, along with the main house when Cecilia isn’t there.

“Things have changed a bit since we last spoke and I’ve now separated from my husband Sam. It’s very amicable and I kept the house – I really didn’t want to lose it because I’d put so much love into it and my son is very attached to it,” says Cecilia who spends half her time in Kangaroo Valley caring for him, and the other half in Sydney. “The main house is expensive to run and pay the mortgage on so I started to rent it for guests when I go to Sydney,” says Cecilia.

Dining room. The chic concrete topped dining table is from Slabs by Design and is paired with

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By Dawn J. Larkin, 2 monthsOctober 9, 2023 ago

House Planters

Family is upset I’m updating house I inherited. Readers give advice.

We asked readers to channel their inner Carolyn Hax and answer this question. Some of the best responses are below.

Hi, Carolyn: I’m having family troubles over a house I inherited. When I was 20, my great-uncle died, and my dad suggested I move in with his aunt, “Emily,” so she wouldn’t be alone and I’d be closer to my university. It worked out great. I cleaned, did laundry, ran errands and drove her places so she didn’t charge me room and board. When I graduated, I was going to move out. However, Emily’s children offered me a deal: live with her until she died and I would get her house. I agreed, and last fall she died, and I inherited it. At her funeral, her kids and grandkids all thanked me for taking such good care of her, but trouble started when they found out my fiancé was moving in with me. Emily’s two oldest kids, “Andrew” and “Agnes,” were upset and said their mom wouldn’t have approved. Well, Emily is gone, I’m 30 years old, and it’s my house, so he moved in. Then they got even more upset that we went to work fixing up *our* house. We ripped up carpets, refinished floors and painted after taking down so much wallpaper. Now we’re redoing the kitchen.

Andrew and Agnes hate everything we’ve done. This spring, I tore out some lilac bushes and planted a vegetable garden and put herbs and leaf lettuce in the planters out front, and Agnes broke down sobbing about it. They drop by almost every Sunday after church just to criticize our work. At every family gathering, we have to hear how Emily would’ve hated it and how we should have waited before “tearing her house apart.” We’re

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By Dawn J. Larkin, 2 monthsOctober 2, 2023 ago

Shed Houses

Man charged with arson in fire that damaged downtown Anchorage house

By Tess Williams

Updated: August 29, 2023 Published: August 28, 2023

Anchorage firefighters battle a fire on West 8th Avenue near H Street downtown on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 27, 2023. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Police say a downtown Anchorage fire Sunday afternoon that seriously damaged a house was intentionally set by a man described in charging documents as using tiki torches to start the blaze.

The Anchorage Police Department morris-charged-in-arson-fire-on-h-street”said in an update Monday that officers located 35-year-old Gary Stephen Morris about a block from the fire after a witness described a shirtless man matching his description walking away from the burning building.

The fire at 810 W. Eighth Ave. was reported around 3:30 p.m. and sent a thick plume of smoke into the sky. The building sits between Skinny Raven Sports and a branch of Credit Union One. Anchorage firefighters and police responded. Police said the house was unoccupied due to ongoing renovations.

Morris was carrying a 6-foot metal pipe when he was contacted by officers, police said.

He was medically evaluated and told a first responder that he started the fire, according to a summary of police reports written by Assistant District Attorney Alice Curci and filed with charges, including arson.

Morris was brought to the police department, where he told detectives that he broke a window of the house and lived there for several days last week before the owners found him and told him to leave, according to the summary.

The owners did not report Morris’ first break-in to police, and he entered the house again on Sunday by pulling off a wooden board over a window he previously broke to gain access, the summary said.

“Morris said he was angry and frustrated due to people stealing his property and constantly accusing

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By Dawn J. Larkin, 2 monthsOctober 2, 2023 ago

House Planters

Family would rather keep house a shrine

We asked readers to channel their inner Carolyn Hax and answer this question. Some of the best responses are below.

Hi, Carolyn: I’m having family troubles over a house I inherited. When I was 20, my great-uncle died, and my dad suggested I move in with his aunt, “Emily,” so she wouldn’t be alone and I’d be closer to my university. It worked out great. I cleaned, did laundry, ran errands and drove her places so she didn’t charge me room and board. When I graduated, I was going to move out. However, Emily’s children offered me a deal: live with her until she died and I would get her house. I agreed, and last fall she died, and I inherited it. At her funeral, her kids and grandkids all thanked me for taking such good care of her, but trouble started when they found out my fiancé was moving in with me. Emily’s two oldest kids, “Andrew” and “Agnes,” were upset and said their mom wouldn’t have approved. Well, Emily is gone, I’m 30 years old, and it’s my house, so he moved in. Then they got even more upset that we went to work fixing up *our* house. We ripped up carpets, refinished floors and painted after taking down so much wallpaper. Now we’re redoing the kitchen.

Andrew and Agnes hate everything we’ve done. This spring, I tore out some lilac bushes and planted a vegetable garden and put herbs and leaf lettuce in the planters out front, and Agnes broke down sobbing about it. They drop by almost every Sunday after church just to criticize our work. At every family gathering, we have to hear how Emily would’ve hated it and how we should have waited before “tearing her house apart.” We’re sick of it. I never

… Read the rest

By Dawn J. Larkin, 3 monthsSeptember 27, 2023 ago

Shed Houses

The loss of the Crooked House pub reveals that built heritage is about a lot more than buildings | Opinion

Martyn Evans index

The Crooked House in Himley, Staffordshire has become the most famous pub in Britain after it was demolished earlier this month following a devastating fire. The jury is still out on why the fire started and why the remaining shell was so quickly demolished, but the subsequent political and public outcry says a lot about what people feel when part of what they consider to be their community heritage is lost. It seems that playing with (the aftermath of a) fire can get you burned.

The pub was originally The Glynne Arms, named for the family who lived in the original 1765 farmhouse. It was only renamed The Crooked House in 2002 as official recognition of the affectionate name given to it by locals a long time before.

Whilst no Leaning Tower of Pisa in terms of tourist pulling-power, it was nonetheless a source of love and pride for its regulars and gave its village and nearby Dudley a distinctiveness that all good places should have. It was the best example of common heritage phenomena in the Black Country – buildings made crooked by subsidence resulting from the area’s extensive coal mining.

Emma Smith, a local resident, was quoted in the Observer: “My nan and grandad brought me here when I was little, and I’ve brought my kids here. Everybody knows the Crooked House, it’s part of Dudley, part of our history, and now it’s gone…everyone is so angry.”

Its swift demolition has been condemned by local politicians – Andy Street, the West Midlands Mayor says he is “laser-focussed” on making sure it’s “rebuilt brick-by-brick”. He told the Independent, “This is a part of our heritage, our history, and somebody thought it could literally just be confined to rubble. That is not right.” These places are important.

We’ve

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By Dawn J. Larkin, 3 monthsSeptember 24, 2023 ago