Peay impressed the judges with his storytelling abilities.

ABCs American Idol returned on Monday with the Judges Song Contest, challenging each of the remaining contestants to since a song submitted anonymously by the Idol judges.

Standout contestant Warren Peay was asked to choose between Colder Weather by Zac Brown Band, Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Blue Side of the Mountain by The Steeldrivers. The South Carolina native was thrilled with all of the song choices but ultimately decided to go with Colder Weather by Zac Brown Band.

To prepare for the performance, Peay worked with the vocal coaches and hoped to showcase his vocal range throughout the song.

Surrounded by blue lights and a background that resembles a starry night sky, Peay took the stage to deliver a stirring performance of the 2x platinum-certified country hit, which was co-penned by Zac Brown, Coy Bowles, Wyatt Durrette and Levi Lowrey. The song was a great fit for Peay as it put his powerhouse vocals on full display.

Following his performance, it was revealed that Lionel Richie was the judge who hand-picked Colder Weather for Peay. Richie praised the former appliance repair technician for finally feeling comfortable enough to walk around the stage rather than stand behind the mic for his entire performance. The Hello singer also applauded the contestants storytelling skills.

Judges Katy Perry and Luke Bryan complimented Warren Peay on how he manages to make each song his own by adding his signature flair into every performance he gives. Perry also shared her excitement over the dynamics of Peays voice.

It was revealed that Warren Peay was safe within the competition and would advance to the Top 8. Following the show, the Idol contestant took to social media to express his gratitude for the news.

I cannot put into words how it feels to be in the Top 8! It means the world to me to know you have all voted me this far into the competition, and I hope I can continue to make you all proud, he wrote, adding, To God be the glory!

Warren Peay auditioned with To The Table by Zach Williams and earned a yes from all three judges.

Coming into American Idol, I truly feel like this is a game changer for me, Peay shared ahead of his audition. I want to get out and play as much as possible.make it a career. I think my church is super proud that Im going, and Im so glad to have that support behind me.

His performance drew comparisons to Chris Stapleton and left the judges floored.

His voice cuts through, Bryan pointed out, while Richie added, FM Radio right there!

Perry was equally impressed.

A Christian Chris Stapleton. Warren Woo, she gushed. You walked in that door and I was like, please God, please God, answer our prayers, God. This guy looks the part. Please have him sound the part and you sound the freaking part.

Throughout the competition so far, hes gone on to sing Stone by Whiskey Myers, Set Fire to the Rain by Adele, Up There Down Here by Zach Williams, Its Not My Time by 3 Doors Down, and more.

Tyson Venegas and Marybeth Byrd were eliminated during Monday nights American Idol. In a surprising twist, the judges saved Oliver Steele.

American Idol returns next week with Alanis Morisette and Ed Sheeran joining Luke Bryan as guest judges. The Top 8 will perform and the Top 5 will also be revealed.

An all-new episode of the competition airs coast-to-coast on Sunday, May 7 at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET on ABC.

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WATCH: Warren Peay Impresses With Zac Brown Band Cover On ... - Country Now

As we rifle through our sock drawer in a rush every morning trying desperately to find a matching pair, we are left asking where on earth they have all vanished to - but a TikToker appears to have solved the mystery.

Renea, who is an appliance repair tech from Salt Lake City, shared a video on TikTokexplained exactly where socks disappear to during the laundry cycle.

In the clip, which racked up over 18 million views, she claimed that it's not down to forgetfulness - thewashing machine actually does swallow them.

In the video she can be seen removing the back panel off the washing machine with a chisel.

Once the panel is off, the inside of the washing machine is completely stuffed with odd socks.

Taking the pile out and laying the socks on the floor it was clear that the machine had been collecting odd socks for some time.

Many were shocked with some joking they owe an apology to their tumble dryer for blaming that for years.

One person wrote: 'All the years joking about how 'the dryer eats them'.'

Another said: 'We all owe the dryer an apology.'

While another quipped: 'Are my Tupperware lids in there too?'

Others were completely shocked as they always thought it was an old wives tale.

One person said: 'So my washing machine does eat my socks!!!!!!'

Another said: 'So thats prob where my paw patrol sock that I lost when I was 3.'

While someone else wrote: 'I always said that the washing machine has been eating my socks. Im going fishing for my lost socks !!!!!'

Renea's revelation comes after a savvy mother also revealed on TikTok how best to clean your washing machine using just two ingredients.

Jen Watson, a mother-of-five from the US, revealed on her TikTok page titled OrganizedAndSimplified4u that a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar can clean the rim of the washing machine in just one cycle.

In the short clip Jen pulled back the rubber part of the door in a washing machine to show all the built up scum and dirt before advising adding bicarbonate of soda and white wine vinegar.

Applying around two tablespoons of the powder directly to the mess, she then poured over the liquid so the mixture immediately started bubbling.

Quickly shutting the door, Jen put the machine on a rinse and watched as the cheap and easy solution worked its magic.

As soon as it was over the mother pulled back the rubber lining to show it was now spick and span and clean enough for all your delicate washing.

Read more here:
I'm a washing machine expert and I know where your missing socks are - Daily Mail

Appliance Repair 101

When an appliance fails, all hell breaks loose. No hot water for that 5:00 am shower before work, having to cook all your meat before bacteria take over your fridge; you name it. It makes you want to run to the nearest Sears and simply buy something new as fast as possible. However, repairing should always be a first option. As weve mentioned, review your warranty and check with the manufacturer first. If they cant help you anymore, make some calls and get a few quotes. Depending on the prices youre given, you can make that final decision: repair or replace. To help with this, theres a rule of thumb that goes around named the 50/50 rule. If your appliance has passed 50% of its life expectancy and your specific repair costs over 50% of the appliances full price, maybe its time to buy a new one.

You may be used to hiring a single technician for everything or trusting your cousins recommendation. However, if you dont want to risk losing a limb while fixing your garbage disposal, you have to be more thorough. This rings even truer if you have a modern or very expensive appliance. There has to be a certain guarantee that the people who enter your house know what they're doing.

This can be a problem because although each company needs a state or municipality business license, there are no federal regulations for repairing home appliancesother than the EPA Type 1 Certification to handle refrigerants. What youll find is trade schools and professional organizations that administer tests that lead to competency-based certifications in order to ensure quality service is as widespread as possible.

Despite this lack of uniformity, there are some certifications and credentials you can be on the lookout for:

Section 608 Type 1 Technician Certification, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

This federal certification is mandatory for tradespeople who work with refrigerant-containing appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners. Its significant, because if someone handles refrigerant-containing appliances without this certification, theyd be breaking federal law and putting you (and your appliance) at risk.

However, you should know that this certification has nothing to do with competency or actual knowledge of appliance repair. Its entirely related to safety measures and the hazardous nature of refrigerants. Some companies or individual repair people will claim to be certified, but only have this credential to their name.

Other types of the Section 608 Technician Certification

Type II and Type III certifications of Section 608 test technicians on safely handling leakages in high- and low-pressure appliances, respectively. This includes HVAC and industrial-grade refrigeration systems that use over 5lbs of refrigerant. A technician can also get a Universal Certification when he possesses all three.

These certifications are a prerequisite for refrigeration-related credentials given out by other organizations.

ASF (Appliance Service Fundamentals), by the Institute of ApplianceService Technicians (ioAST)

The Institute of Appliance Service Technicians works in partnership with FredsAppliance Academy. Their ASF certification is granted through a test thatinvolves overall knowledge of different appliances, refrigeration, and electricaltheory. Freds Appliance Academy is well-regarded in the industry, and even Samsung has sponsored students to take their courses.

Skill Certifications, by the Professional Service Association (PSA)

The PSA gives different certifications for different layers of the industry, frommanagement to customer service to, obviously, technical skills. To achieve theTechnician Rating, participants must take a core module (a basic technical skillstest), a customer relationship test and one of the six specialized modules available: cooling, convenience, cleaning, gas cooking, electric cooking or microwave equipment. By taking all modules, composed of over 300 questions, technicians can be certified as Master Technicians.

National Appliance Service Technician Certifications (NASTeC), by the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET)

The NASTeC certifications are obtained through multilevel exams. Applicants must mandatorily pass an 80-question Basic Skills Examination, and then pass one of the three specialty tests (laundry and cleaning appliances; cooking appliances; refrigeration-related appliances) in order to be certified in any of those areas. If an applicant approves all of them, they are recognized as an Universal Technician.

A reassuring aspect of this certification is that it must be renewed every two years, as opposed to other certifications, which usually only require renewal every four or five years. This translates to constantly updated technicians with access to more recent information.

Factory Certifications

One of the best guarantees you can look for is factory certification. Thismeans that the brand itself has provided continuous training to a technician or anentire repair company. In many cases, smart appliances such as those made by Samsung or LG, or very expensive ones (like Sub-Zero refrigerators) willhave proprietary technology in place, from mechanical parts to electronic software. Its essential that whoever opens up your product is familiar with its particular components and their most recent updates.

Background Checks

Some repair companies conduct background checks on their technicians, a very important step since repair people enter the home, remain inside for hours at a time, and work with very expensive products. Services like Home Advisor run background checks on company owners in order to certify their business. However, if you feel more comfortable knowing every employee has been cleared, be sure to check if the company itself uses any background check services in the hiring process.

You may have frequently heard your parents and grandparents talk about how their appliances used to last longer. You may have also heard horrible stories about modern appliances failing early on and being fixed by the neighborhood handyman, only to fail again in a week. Why is this?

According to Gay Gordon-Byrne, executive director of The Repair Association, the shorter lifespan of appliances is often attributed to the growing amount of electronic components. Electronics are not nearly as durable, they have so many more points of failure, she told us. This also leads to a more difficult repair because appliance technicians are not usually trained to handle this type of electronics, much less software.

Companies continue to include proprietary parts in their products that are not only harder to repair, but either cant be replaced by aftermarket parts made by third parties. Or, like GE filters, will continuously warn you about changing the new, non-GE one you just installed. As Nathan Proctordirector of the U.S. Public Interest Research Groups (USPIRG) Right to Repair campaignputs it, the aftermarket is undercut by the way the manufacturers design these products. He also mentions that original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts dont last too long either. Computer chips are not physically durable, he said, echoing Gordon-Byrnes statement. This way, companies are able to charge higher prices for spare parts, leaving customers without many options.

Another big issue Proctor brought up is manufacturers direct attempts at impeding repairs. A lot of warranties get voided if you or a non-factory technician opens up the appliance, an issue the USPIRG has been constantly battling with. All these practices, which are causing an obsolescence crisis, as Proctor said, are constantly threatening not just the repair industry as a whole, but the lifespan of household appliances and environmental health.

Although some people in the industry have recently claimed its invention, the word telemaintenance has been used by different armed forces, at least, since the early 90s, and a similar term, telediagnosis, dates back to the 70s. If it seems similar to telemedicine, its because it functions like it toobut with less fainting. It means to service something remotely, to provide maintenance from a distance. And in the era of COVID-19, that sounds just about right.

Now in the hands of civilians, telemaintenance is designed to help with home improvement, electronics, and major appliances. In some cases, its big companies implementing these remote options through proprietary software; in others, its local technicians using third-party services like Streem.

The variety of styles with telemaintenance is similar to that of online therapy, a remote service weve reviewed before. Some companies have a subscription service and you can text a technician at any given moment. Others offer live chat, phone calls, or video conferencing through appointments. With telemaintenance, video is probably the best way to go so that the technician can see the appliance and, hopefully, get an eye on the problem. Video conferencing also allows for more features, like drawing on the screen so nobody gets lost.Home projects have gone up significantly with the unprecedented strain of 24/7 home occupation. Along with citywide lockdowns and the general fear of contagion, the need for services like this has gone up too, and now that weve had a taste, it might change the way we do things in the post-pandemic future.

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Best Appliance Repair Services of 2023 - ConsumersAdvocate.org

Some appliance companies specialize in certain brands or types of appliances. Others can be more general and service multiple brands. As a potential client of these companies, its smart to be aware of the services they provide.

Washers and dryers get put through the wringer quite often with the bombardments of clothes, blankets and the occasional pair of muddy running shoes. They tend to break often, and those breaks look like:.

The oven is one of the most common household appliances, used sometimes several times per day. And while they tend to keep their functionality for over a decade before needing replacing, they do run into problems. Some of them include:

A professional should service an oven with these types of issues due to the risk of electric shock if performed improperly.

Microwaves are similar to ovens in that they are complex, and the more you use them the more likely you are to experience problems. Some of the service issues you may need to call in are:

Another common issue is having a microwave where the plate wont turn. Since these are mostly issues that deal with internal components, youll again want a licensed professional handling the repairs.

A refrigerator repair is arguably one of the worst home repairs, mostly because youre on a ticking clock as soon as the appliance stops working. But the good news is that not all repairs require a handyman, some like replacing a filter, can be done by just about anyone. However, here are some of the services you may need to hire out for:

Another likely but uncomfortable replacement is that of your hot water heater. Because lets be honest, no one likes an unexpected cold shower early in the morning. However, with the hot water heater, its likely you will have to contract out for repairs simply due to common problems that arise, such as:

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How To Find The Best Local Appliance Repair Company - Forbes

Appliances are integral to an enjoyable kitchen, whether you love or just appreciate having modern conveniences. When your kitchen appliance can't keep up with the work, whether due to inefficient performance or part damage, it can be frustrating.

Mr. Appliance is here to repair any broken appliance in your kitchen and restore comfort and convenience! Need help now?

Contact us at (888) 998-2011 orSchedule Service Now!

As the leading home appliance repair franchise in all of North America, we have been restoring functionality to our customers kitchens since 1996. We deliver quick, efficient, and effective services at all of ourlocations.

There is never a convenient time to deal with a broken refrigerator. If you notice excessive frost build-up, a leaky hose, or another problem - call Mr. Appliance.

A well-functioning freezer is vital for keeping food fresh. From damaged door seals to inconsistent temperatures, we handle it all.

When your dishes are consistently cloudy or still dirty after a cycle, you may need dishwasher repair or service. We can help prevent ineffective wash cycles and damaging leaks!

Issues with these appliances can include burners that are not turning on, failure to heat to the right temperature, and a damaged self-cleaning function. Notice any issues? Schedule an appointment.

Common issues associated with ice makers or machines are clogged water filters and slow cube production. Mr. Appliance pros can fix those issues and other ice maker problems.

Typical garbage disposal issues include jams and clogged drains. Avoid potential injuries by leaving the repairs to the professionals!

Problems you might experience with your microwave oven include sparks inside the microwave and a damaged turntable. Our technicians can fix that for you!

Incorrect range hood configuration and size may lead to issues. If you notice poor kitchen exhaust fan performance or strange noises coming from the vent hood fan motor, give us a call.

If your wine cooler doesn't keep wine bottles at precisely the right temperature, it can dampen your wine drinking experience. Prevent this with proper maintenance.

Common issues with trash compactors include overfilling, a jammed door or drawer, and trapped food particles. Avoid odors and more damage by having your trash compactor repaired today.

We can fix your outdoor kitchen problems by repairing and maintaining your grill, dishwasher, refrigerator, or any other outdoor appliance you have!

Have another kitchen appliance that needs repair services? Give us a call orschedule online for prompt, professional repairs from our technicians.

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Kitchen Appliance Repair Service | Mr. Appliance Home Services

Growing up in Belle Plaine in the 50s and the 60s found the small town having some 2,000 residents. The town had a variety store, drug store, clothing stores, jewelry store, hardware stores, shoe store, appliance repair store, dry cleaner, bakery, barber shops, furniture store, grocery stores, cafes, some five gas stations with one owned by my Mom and Dad along with a bowling alley and more than a few taverns.

All of the above mentioned were owned by families who lived, worked, and went to church and school in Belle Plaine. Today, most of these businesses are gone. The other small-town business for what many considered as important was the local newspaper. In September of last year, after 140 years and four generations of Townsend family ownership, the Belle Plaine Herald published its last weekly edition.

It was recently noted in the Chaska Herald that Editor-in-Chief Mark Olson of Southwest News Media (which runs the Chaska Herald and the Chanhassen Villager, along with four other local papers) was leaving his position for a new employment opportunity. Olson worked with the local papers for 25 years and saw numerous changes, including the move to smaller, scaled-down versions of the weekly editions.

I had the opportunity and pleasure to work with Olson during his years at the Chaska Herald and he will be missed. He carried himself as editor with a journalistic standard that we often times find missing in todays major city newspapers and T.V. channels. He was always approachable and willing to discuss local, state, and national current events. He always led with a smile and had an interest in knowing what you had to say.

For most people growing up in the Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska and Victoria area, the Herald and Villager were the means by which you learned about the local news, including births, weddings, funerals, graduations and community events, as well as youth and adult sports.

The local papers were often times the primary if not only way to find out what was happening at the municipal and county governmental level. Although times have changed, the Chaska Herald was also the primary communication tool used when the Chaska Park and Recreation started up city run programs for youth football, volleyball, basketball, soccer and girls softball, as well as for the adult softball, basketball, broomball and volleyball leagues back in the late 70s and early 80s.

As director I was charged with leading the process for the building and programming of the Chaska Community Center and the Chaska Curling and Event Center. Neither of these projects would have been successful if not for the Chaska Herald coverage. That which the Herald did was communicate and educate its readers as to what the projects were about, both pros and cons, and how they were envisioned to help build community.

At that time the city of Chaska followed a public involvement process which, when coupled with Chaska Herald news, led to public buy in for these facilities. These simple and basic communication principals led to the successful opening of what are today are nationally recognized recreation facilities.

As communities grow in the future it will be important to recognize that which over the years has helped build the foundation of what these cities are today and what can be done to ensure that many of those small town attributes, including weekly newspapers, can continue to prosper as a valued part of each community.

Thanks, Mark, for all that you have done as editor of the Chanhassen Villager and Chaska Herald in making these communities that you worked in a better place to live and raise children!

Tom Redman is chair of the Bountiful Basket Food Shelf Board.

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Commentary: An editor who helped to build a better community - SW News Media

JEREMY Loveridge's appliance repair business proved so successful across North Somerset that he and his family have opened a new appliance showroom in Weston-super-Mare.

Mr Loveridge, stepdaughter Georgia and sons Matthew and Nick recently celebrated the opening of their Weston and Worle Appliances showroom at Unit 24 Lynx Crescent.

They said they noticed a gap in the market in the area for a quality appliance repair services that also assists with end of life of machines, scrappage and replacement products.

Office manager Georgia said: "Since Jeremy had brought me in as part of the team a couple of years ago, business has increased and the showroom idea was on the cards.

"Many customers had enquired about viewing products before purchasing from us."

She added: "Comments were made that larger retailers don't offer the same friendly service or there is far too much choice.

"We aim to provide the friendly, helpful service that the large retailers tend to neglect."

The products stocked include washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers, refrigeration including American style fridge freezers, cookers and ovens.

Mr Loveridge is a qualified gas safe engineer and can also install gas appliances, as well as repair and service boilers and gas cooking appliances.

Sales executive Nick said: "Since joining the team, we have been able to push the boundaries and help our customers, new and old, in a more efficient way.

"We offer free local delivery on all of our products and same day/next day service on selected freestanding appliance installations."

The business is a member of a buying group, allowing it to offer a wider range of brands at more competitive prices.

Mr Loveridge said: "As time moves on, the buying market moves rapidly with it.

"Products are becoming easier to buy online.

"Becoming part of the Sirius buying group enables us to provide better deals on appliances such as matching the prices of appliances online, John Lewis and Currys. In some cases we can be cheaper than them."

More here:
Weston and Worle Appliances opens in Weston-super-Mare | Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News - Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News

Maybe youre looking for a bargain or just dont need something brand new. The marketplace for used appliances is huge, with online selling platforms like eBay, Facebook and Craigslist making it easier than ever to shop around.

But is it a good idea to buy used appliances? The answer: It depends. The experts at Consumer Reports can help with appliance-buying advice and the potential pitfalls to look out for when shopping the used market.

CR says when it comes to secondhand appliances, skip yard sales and online sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Those types of sellers usually cant offer you a guarantee or warranty on appliances.

Instead, hit a reputable local repair shop or used appliance store early and often to nab the best deals. You could save 50 percent or more, even if the appliance hasnt been used at all.

Your best bets for buying used are washers, dryers, ranges and refrigerators. But no matter what youre shopping for, find out how old the appliance is so you can calculate how much life it has left and if its worth the price.

If youre spending a couple of hundred dollars on a 10-year-old refrigerator with an average useful life of 12 years, you need to ask yourself if its worth it if youre only going to get two years out of it.

The brand you buy often makes a difference, too. Data shows that some brands are more reliable than others. CRs surveys of thousands of members have found that LG, GE and Kenmore earn a rating of "good" or higher for the reliability of their fridges, ranges, washers and dryers.

If you find something you love, CR says take a closer look before you buy. Plug in the machine. Look for any damage (including rust), check the buttons and knobs, do a smell check for mold and read the manual to make sure all the parts are included.

Finally, dont be afraid to negotiate. You could end up saving even more. And CR says always find the manufacturers sticker and check to see if the appliance has been included in a safety recall. If the machine doesnt have a model number and serial sticker in place, skip it. It could have been recalled or scrapped and illegally salvaged.

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Should You Buy a Used Appliance? Here Are Some Things to Consider - NBC4 Washington

The hallway on the second floor of Jamilo Husseins apartment was always dark: The ceiling light, for some reason, didnt turn on. Then one night her children plugged their phone chargers into a nearby outlet, and the light began to flicker.

My kids used to say we have a ghost in our home, Jamilo said.

Jamilo has lived at the Pondview Townhomes in Woodbury for eight years with her husband and five children. She reported the strange, flickering light to Northstar Residential, the landlord, who sent a technician to change the lightbulb. I told them, Thats not the problem, the problem is electrical, Jamilo said.

A flickering light may call to mind the evocative atmosphere of a horror film. But in a modern home, it may be a sign of an electrical hazard.

Ever since a Northstar technician tried to fix the problem, Jamilo said, the light no longer turns on when her children charge their phones. The light still flickers, though, so the family still cannot use it.

Pondview is home to a small, close-knit Somali community that has lived with a host of electrical and appliance problems for years, residents say. Lights flicker. Stoves do not work. At least three units have had waterleaking from the floor abovepool in a light fixture. Residents say they have reported the problems to the landlord, but many persist.

On December 6, a fire broke out in an upstairs bedroom closet of a Pondview apartment and quickly spread to two adjoining units. No one was injured, but three families were forced to relocate. Theres no evidence that an electrical problem caused the Pondview fire. Residential electrical fires are rare, and the cause of the Pondview fire has yet to be determined by investigators. Nevertheless, the fire caused scared residents to come forward and speak out about electrical problems at the complex.

Even before the December fire, several frustrated residents approached the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations to discuss problems in their units and their landlords failures to address them. Since then, CAIR-MN has worked with residents to publicize their concerns, including allegations of racism.

The landlords employees at the property, they say, treat maintenance requests with hostile dismissals and have blamed some tenant problems on a lack of English proficiency. One tenant reported that when she requested a repair, a company representative asked why she had so many children.

In other cases, residents report that they have received bills for maintenance requests that should be paid by their landlords. Some charges are for hundreds of dollars.

Sahan Journal heard accounts from 12 current and past residents from different Pondview units; four gave tours of their homes to demonstrate their housing problems. Sahan Journal also reviewed 10 years of inspection reports from the Washington County Community Development Agency, which documented numerous problems, including electrical deficiencies.

Taken together, these accounts and reports indicate widespread and potentially hazardous electrical problems in the Pondview Townhomes.

Pondview was built in 2004 by Duffy Development Company, which has developed and continues to own 23 properties including over 1,000 units in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Duffy, which is based in Minnetonka, still owns the property and manages it in-house through a related company, Northstar Residential.

The Pondview complex comprises 40 units in 8 rowhouses standing just off Interstate 94 in Woodbury. By Jamilos informal count, Somali families live in 28 of these units.

In a phone interview, Northstar president Jeff Von Feldt said the company was not aware of any large-scale electrical problem in the buildings. (Von Feldt is also the CEO of Duffy Development Company.)

Von Feldt added that investigators have told him they are not looking at electrical problems as a cause of the December fire. In an email to Sahan Journal, Woodbury Fire Marshall Rick said that his office did not determine the immediate cause of the fire through a preliminary investigation. The case has been handed over to the Woodbury Police Department due to the nature of the possible cause of the fire, though he declined to elaborate.

Whatever the cause of the December fire, it has alarmed residents, who feel a renewed urgency for Northstar to repair their homes.

Jamilo immigrated to the United States from Mogadishu, Somalia, in the early 90s to escape the civil war. She lived in a refugee camp in Kenya for a time, and in Pennsylvania and Ohio after coming to the US. Eventually, she settled in Tennessee. She met her husband there, and they started a family.

Back then, there was not a lot of Somali stores, Jamilo said of Tennessee. Finding halal meat was a particular struggle.

But Minnesota already had a vibrant Somali community. I had family in Minnesota send me Somali clothes, she said, The culture is strong here.

Minnesota also offered more jobs and better public schools. Family and friends encouraged them to move, and in 2013, they came to Minnesota.

Jamilo had friends who lived at Pondview, so the family toured their apartment on a scouting trip to the state. The 1,000-square-foot, three-bedroom unit was already in poor condition back then, Jamilo said, but she didnt care. It was in their price rangethey pay $1,300 nowand the landlord promised to replace the musty carpets before they moved in.

In many ways, the move has been positive. Her husband found work, Jamilo has focused on their children, and the family has created a community with their neighbors.

(One thing she misses about the South? Tennessee had better weather, she said with a laugh.)

But the housing problems began almost immediately. When the family arrived to move in, they discovered the carpets had not been replaced. Jamilo tried for a year to get Northstar to swap them out. It took a note from her doctor that the carpet might be impacting her childrens health to get Northstar to act, she said.

Over the years, the family also became concerned about the electrical problems, beginning with the flickering light. In December, Jamilo gave Sahan Journal a tour of her apartment and several others to show what she identified as some of the worst issues.

Walking into Jamilos unit is like stepping from day into night. The windows are covered in heavy, colorful curtains to do what the windows cannot: keep out the cold. Glancing back at the front door, a crack between the door and the jamb lets in a wide ray of winter light. Jamilo said the family cannot use the living room in the winter because of the cold, even though the heat is on.

A month after Jamilo showed her apartment to Sahan Journal, a Washington County housing inspection found that water leaking from the upstairs bathroom was pooling in the living room light fixture.

Aside from these problems, the apartment looks like a modern single-family home, with an open floor plan. That day, her young son had a small trampoline set up in front of the living room TV, where he jumped while watching cartoons. Her high schoolage daughter sat at the dining room table doing homework.

In the kitchen, Jamilo demonstrated her electric stove, where only three of the four burners worked. Above the stove, the fan is missing its cover, leaving bare blades exposed.

On the upstairs landing, Jamilo demonstrated the light. When she flipped the switch, the light flashed, then went dark.

Inside the breaker box (the main electric panel in the house), one breaker trips when the air conditioner fan turns on.

The apartment also has extensive discoloration from mold and water damage. Yellow-orange splotches and dissolving particle board can be found inside kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Trim is rotting in the upstairs hallway, right outside the bathroom. A hole in the bathtub has been repaired with some kind of tape. Directly below it, on the living room ceiling, yellowed paint and drywall is peeling off around the light fixtures in palm-sized chunks.

They dont want to repair anything, she said of the buildings management, Northstar.

After finishing the tour of her home, Jamilo walked across the parking lot to another of Pondviews rowhouses, where her friend Fadima Ali lives.

At Fadimas house, two boys shoved past their mother, laughing. A little girl sat on the couch, skeptically eyeing the journalist who had come into their home carrying a large, silver voice recorder. A teenage boy did homework at the dining room table, seemingly accustomed to the noise around him.

Neither Fadima nor her husband Mohammad speak English, so Jamilo translated.

Fadima also left Mogadishu for the United States during the civil war. She and Mohammad lived at Pondview for two years with their 10 children, aged 1 to 16. Several weeks after they spoke to Sahan Journal, they bought their own house and moved out of Pondview.

During the visit, the family said they struggled to get Northstar to make basic repairs, even though they paid more than $2,000 a month in rent for a three-bedroom unit.

Fadima said that the familys garage door would open by itself. Unlike Jamilos stove, where one burner wont turn on, one of the burners on Fadimas stove got extremely hot and occasionally sparked, she said.

The problem that alarmed them the most, however, waited in the basement.

Jamilo, Fadima, and Mohammad walked down a flight of stairs to a dark room. Aside from the light trickling in from upstairs, the only illumination came from the harsh glare of a phone and a computer screen, which glowed on the faces of two of Fadimas children. Otherwise, they sat in the dark.

Mohammad pointed out a ceiling light fixture that housed the remains of a lightbulb. Fadima said that two weeks prior, it just exploded. Another light on the same circuit flickered when Mohammad turned it on.

The other one did the same exact stuff before it exploded, one of their children said from somewhere in the dark. Fadima and Mohammad said the family reported the blowout weeks earlier, first to Northstars on-site property manager, then directly to the maintenance technician.

Several days later, Jamilo brought Sahan Journal to her neighbor Farhiyo Maalins apartment, which is a mirror of her own. Jamilo and Farhiyo lived in the same Kenyan refugee camp for a time after fleeing Mogadishu, though they only met at Pondview.

Utange Camp was better than here, Jamilo said, laughing.

Farhiyo demonstrated her stovewhich got very hot, like Fadimasand her water heaterwhich didnt work properly and had to be turned off and on multiple times a day.

Jamilo watched the community grow in the years after she moved in, beginning with Farhiyo, who arrived shortly after Jamilo. But few people stay at Pondview longer than they must. Almost all the neighbors who lived at Pondview when Jamilo came have since left.

Still, the community is strong. Neighbors visit each other in the hospital when one falls ill. Many of their children attend the same school, so the parents exchange car rides. Jamilo knows English better than many of her neighbors, so she helps her friends read and write their mail.

Though many of the families came from different regions and backgrounds in Somalia, she said, We are the same community and we help each other.

While Sahan Journal visited Farhiyos apartment, several other neighbors came to talk about the problems in their own apartments. One of these women was Safiyo Yonis, who also shared her experiences at Pondview.

Safiyo has lived in Pondview for five years with her seven children. She said her husband does not live with them because of the occupancy limits on their apartment.

Safiyo was initially excited to move into Pondview. At three bedrooms, it was a larger apartment than the family had been living in, and the manager promised to paint and replace the carpets before they moved in. Again, though, Safiyo said they never did.

Like Jamilo, Safiyo got a letter from her sons doctor explaining that the carpet might be impacting his health. When she showed it to the manager, she said, the manager told Safiyo she could move out if she wanted.

As she was speaking, the evening call to prayer played over a speaker in the house. But Safiyo didnt stop talking until Jamilo gently scolded her, Safiyo!

When the prayers were finished, Safiyo continued to explain how a heating coil on her electric stove catastrophically failed in her apartment last year.

Safiyos 14-year-old son was cooking noodles on the stove. He walked away to sit with his mother at the table. We didnt see fire, didnt see anything, then all of a sudden, BOOM. Safiyo pantomimed an explosion with her hands.

There was a loud crack, and a shower of sparks and hot water rained down in the kitchen, she said. In the aftermath, Safiyo found a hole in the bottom of the pot and a fissure that split the heating coil in two pieces.

Imagine if my son had been right there, she said.

Safiyo said she threw away the damaged heating coil and pot. She reported the problem, but, after a month of waiting, she bought and installed a new heating coil herself.

Just how common are electrical problems in rental units like Pondview? Sahan Journal asked Eric Hauge, the executive director of Home Line, a nonprofit that provides free and low-cost legal advice and representation to tenants in Minnesota. The organization works with more than 1,000 households statewide each month, and Hauge said repairs are the most common issue on which they advise tenants.

The organization does not track detailed data about specific repair issues. Households typically face multiple issues, so comparing the prevalence of different housing problems is difficult. But water damage, mold, bedbugs, and insufficient heat are among the most common complaints. Home Line does receive complaints about electrical and appliance problems, though they are not common things that we hear about, Hauge said.

But government housing records suggest electrical and appliance problems are widespread at Pondview.

Any unit subsidized through the federal Section 8 housing voucher programwhich provides rental assistance to low-income tenantsrequires an annual inspection. This process is meant to ensure that government-subsidized rentals meet the housing quality standards of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Sahan Journal obtained 10 years worth of these inspections for the Pondview Townhomes from the Washington County Community Development Agency.

Only 26 units were inspected each year, and officials redacted unit numbers and tenant names. But the reports echo tenant complaints.

In January, Jamilo asked Washington County to conduct an emergency inspection, hoping to force Northstar to make repairs. The unit failed. The report lists nine reasons, including an inoperable stove burner, a malfunctioning water heater, and a ceiling falling in because of water leaking from above.

One unit failed because water was leaking from the bathroom and pooling in the living room light fixture. One unit listed three appliances that didnt work: It actually failed because of a broken oven, which prompted the note, tenant advise [sic] it sparked then stopped working. Two other units listed inoperable stove burners.

Others failed because of an inoperable light, an inoperable bathroom vent, or a fridge not cooling properly. And some failed for reasons that may have been caused by tenants, such as one report that reads, in part, looks like toothpaste put in electrical outlet.

From 2010 to 2016, 3 out of 27 inspections failed because of electrical or appliance problems. From 2017 to 2019, 4 out of 13 inspections failed for these reasons. In 2020, 3 out of 4 did.

Looking at all sources for failed inspectionsincluding things like mold and water damage30 percent of Pondview units failed Section 8 inspections between 2010 and 2020.

In each instance, the unit eventually passed after a reinspection or after Northstar certified the repairs had been completed.

Pondviews 30 percent HUD inspection failure rate appears to exceed the norms for other Section 8 rental units in the area, according to Ann Hoechst, the housing assistance and administrative services director for the Washington County Community Development Agency.

Between 2 and 5 percent of Section 8 inspections fail in Washington County depending on the month, and across a landlords entire portfolio.

A good failure rate for a normal year would be in the 5 percent range, Hoechst wrote by email.

However, Hoechst added that high failure rates dont necessarily bother the agency. If the landlord will make repairs to meet HQSHUD housing quality standardsand the tenant is satisfied, then it is not a concern.

Derrick Atkins is training director at the Minneapolis Electrical JATC Training Center, which trains union electrical apprentices. He currently serves on a panel of experts who help update the National Electric Code, which serves as the basis for electric codes in all 50 states.

Sahan Journal shared the tenant accounts with Atkins, along with selections from the Section 8 inspection reports. He couldnt definitively diagnose the problems without more direct information, but he offered several possible causes for each issue.

Its almost too broad to list everything, said Atkins.

Some of the problems, however, were consistent with a loose neutral.

Most homes get their electricity through two hot wires. The hot wires run through the house, providing either 120 or 240 volts of electricity to outlets and light fixtures, depending on whether one or both wires are connected. A third wire, the neutral, carries electricity back to the breaker box to complete the circuit. A fourth wire, the ground, is a failsafe in case of a short circuit.

When the neutral wire is not securely connected to the lead in an outlet or light fixture (its loose), the wire may jostle, causing flickering lights as the wire connects and disconnects with the lead. It can also cause excess voltagewhich should be directed down the neutral wireto flow across the circuit. In extreme cases, the problem can cause lights and even televisions to blow out.

Under state law, all electrical work in rental properties needs to be done by licensed electricians (or under their supervision). The president of Northstar said the company does not employ certified electricians.Yet residents report that Northstar employees have done electrical work in their homes.

Loose neutrals have also been known to cause electric stoves to malfunction, Atkins said, though that is more likely a problem with the appliance itself.

Jamilo recalled that a Northstar maintenance technician told her the flickering light in her apartment was caused by a loose neutral.

Atkins pointed out that residential electrical fires are rare because modern homes have many failsafes built in to the wiring. Buildings constructed as recently as the Pondview Townhomeswhich were built in 2004would have been inspected to ensure these failsafes were present.

Ive seen loose neutrals burn up, but it was contained in the electrical equipment. I have never seen a loose neutral cause a home fire, Atkins said. But, he added, Thats not to say it couldnt happen.

Atkins repeated that hed need to see the wiring himself to identify potential issues. But his takeaway about electrical work was clear: It needs to be installed and maintained properly, and it sounds like this is not.

The properties should be inspected by a licensed electrician immediately, Atkins recommended. Otherwise, You could, potentially, have a fire hazard.

Under state law, all electrical work in rental properties needs to be done by licensed electricians (or under their supervision).

Von Feldt, the president of Northstar, said the company does not employ certified electricians.

Yet Jamilo and other residents reported that Northstar employees have done electrical work in their homes.

Northstar Residential said by email, It is not uncommon in the property management industry to have maintenance technicians, not a contracted vendor, perform minor electrical work such as replacing light fixtures or outlets.

Jamilo and other residents said they have reported problems to Northstar staffboth the on-site property manager and maintenance technicianswith inconsistent results. Residents say a new property manager who was hired last year has reacted to repair requests with hostility that residents characterized as racism.

Once, when Jamilo went to the office to request repairs, the new manager complained that some of the residents didnt speak English, Jamilo said. Some of us dont speak English, yes, but we live here and we pay the rent, Jamilo replied.

Fadima said she and her husband repeatedly tried to report problems to the manager. Neither speaks English, so they took their children to translate.The manager yelled at them and their children, Fadima recalled. They stopped reporting problems, Fadima said, because they were scared of the manager.

She reminded the manager about the electrical problems (which she had already reported) and said she was worried they were dangerous. She was screaming, and she told me Dont come to my office, Jamilo said.

Speaking through a translator, Fadima said she and her husband repeatedly tried to report the problems in their apartment to the manager. Neither speaks English, so they took their children to translate.

The manager yelled at them and their children, Fadima recalled. They stopped reporting problems months before they left Pondview, Fadima said, because they were scared of the manager.

Speaking through a translator, Farhiyo said that when she reported a washing machine breakdown last year, the manager told her to go to a laundromat. Farhiyo said that wasnt an option: She had to watch her children and couldnt take everyone to the laundromat. She said she needed her washing machine fixed.

Read more here:
Somali American renters asked their Minnesota landlord to repair hazardous electrical problems. The property managers commented on the womens English...

Consumer Reports says skip the online marketplaces and go for a sale that has a guarantee or warranty.

GREENSBORO, N.C. Maybe youre looking for a bargain or just dont need something brand new. The marketplace for used appliances is huge, with online selling platforms like eBay, Facebook, and Craigslist making it easier than ever to shop around. Is it a good idea to buy used appliances? The answer: It depends. The experts at Consumer Reports can help with appliance-buying advice and the potential pitfalls to look out for when shopping the used market.

CR says when it comes to secondhand appliances, skip yard sales and online sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Those types of sellers usually cant offer you a guarantee or warranty on appliances.

Instead, hit a reputable local repair shop or used-appliance store early and often to nab the best deals. You could save 50 percent or more, even if the appliance hasnt been used at all.

Your best bets for buying used are washers, dryers, ranges, and refrigerators. But no matter what youre shopping for, find out how old the appliance is so you can calculate how much life it has left and if its worth the price.

If youre spending a couple hundred dollars on a 10-year-old refrigerator with an average useful life of 12 years, you need to ask yourself if its worth it if youre only going to get two years out of it.

The brand you buy often makes a difference, too. Data shows that some brands are more reliable than others. CRs surveys of thousands of members has found that LG, GE, and Kenmore earn a rating of Good or higher for the reliability of their fridges, ranges, washers, and dryers.

If you find something you love, CR says take a closer look before you buy. Plug in the machine. Look for any damage, including rust, check the buttons and knobs, do a smell check for mold, and read the manual to make sure all the parts are included.

Finally, dont be afraid to negotiate. You could end up saving even more. And CR says always find the manufacturers sticker and check to see if the appliance has been included in a safety recall. If the machine doesnt have a model number and serial sticker in place, skip it. It could have been recalled or scrapped and illegally salvaged.

Excerpt from:
What to look for when buying used appliances - WFMYNews2.com