Rosa Parks rides on a Montgomery Area Transit System bus in this undated photo. She was 42, a seamstress, when on Dec. 1, 1955, she defied segregation by refusing to give up her seat to a white man. AP/Montgomery Advertiser

MONTGOMERY, Ala.--Police say copper thieves ransacked the Montgomery, Ala. apartment where Rosa Parks lived in 1955, when she famously refused to give up her seat on a city bus.

Montgomery police are seeking suspects who last weekend ripped and stole copper wiring from Parks' former apartment and six other nearby units, according to the Associated Press.

Police said workers discovered the thefts Monday.

Parks' refusal in 1955 to give her seat on a Montgomery city bus to a white passenger, in defiance of city law, sparked a yearlong bus boycott and became an enduring symbol of the civil rights movement.

CBS affiliate WAKA reports that residents of the Cleveland Court neighborhood where Parks resided will hold a rally next Monday to collect donations in order to offer a reward for information about the incident.

Thad McClammy, an Alabama state representative and resident of the area, told WAKA that the goal is to add to a $1,000 reward currently being offered by Crimestoppers.

"She stood for us 59 years ago, and the least we can do is stand for her," McClammy said.

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Rosa Parks' historic Alabama home targeted by copper thieves

You may be trying to forget about the harsh winter of a few months ago, but you probably remember your high heating bills. Well, nows the time to insulate yourself from a similar fate with next winter not all that far away.

Exterior caulk and insulation can provide a formidable defense against the cold, says Debbie Zimmer, spokesperson for the Paint Quality Institute. By using these products to seal cracks and openings in the home exterior, you can save a small fortune on heating cost, and on the cost of air-conditioning as well.

Caulk and insulation work in two ways to add comfort to a home: first, they stop outside air from seeping in (or literally blowing in on windy days); second, they keep costly heat and air-conditioning from escaping. This one-two punch is a powerful way to knock down home energy bills.

If youre in the mood to fight spiraling energy costs, begin by doing a walk-around inspection of your home exterior.

Keep an eye out for cracks, gaps, or holes especially where different surfaces meet, or where pipes, vents, or wiring penetrate the walls. Also look for areas where your old caulk may have cracked, or pulled away from the surface. Every one of these areas is a potential energy sieve. . .and prime real estate for your caulk or insulation!

If the old caulk is damaged or deficient, remove it with a scraper or sturdy putty knife. In these areas, and in areas that are totally devoid of caulk, clean the adjacent surfaces, sand them smooth, and spot-prime if any bare wood shows. This will help your caulk adhere properly to create a weather-tight seal.

When applying your new caulk, be sure to use a top quality product either a water-based all-acrylic, or siliconized acrylic caulk (similarly named silicone caulks cannot be painted, so theyll be more visible on your home exterior).

With a loaded caulk gun in hand, work your way around your house, filling every gap or seam with a generous bead of caulk (this is not the time to be penny-wise, or youll look foolish when your heating bills arrive).

Immediately after applying the caulk, tool it by running a wet finger over the full length of the bead, using a slight amount of pressure. This will ensure that the caulk fills the entire gap and makes good contact with the adjacent surfaces.

Openings that are too large to caulk typically, spaces more than wide should be filled with a polyurethane foam insulation product. Unlike caulk, which shrinks slightly as it dries, some types of polyurethane foam actually expand after being applied. So, this type of insulation is ideal when filling large openings and cavities.

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Weatherproof your home before the weather turns cold

Defective electrical cabling sold through major hardware stores and fitted in 40,000 homes and businesses nationwide has been recalled due to a risk of fire.

The consumer watchdog said 18 retailers and wholesalers had recalled cables supplied by Infinity Cable Co Pty Ltd after testing found it failed to meet safety standards.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warned that poor quality coating on the cables may break and cause a fire.

"Testing has found that the cables will degrade prematurely and if the cables are disturbed, the insulation could break and expose live conductors, resulting in possible electric shock or fires," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

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The recall affects the Infinity and Olsent cable ranges, which have been sold across Australia since 2010 and are estimated to have been used in about 40,000 homes and businesses.

The cables were sold in Victoria between 2012 and 2013 through Masters, Home Timber and Hardware, Plants Plus, Thrifty-Link Hardware, Mitre 10, Go Electrical and six smaller retailers.

There have not yet been any reports of the cables failing and the ACCC said a taskforce of consumer agencies and building regulators had deemed they did not pose an immediate danger.

But home and business owners who have recently had wiring installed at their property are being urged to contact their builder or a licensed electrical contractor to arrange an inspection. Infinity cabling located in roof spaces, under flooring or close to a heat source will need to be replaced.

Mr Sims said the recall served as a reminder that companies sourcing cheap products from overseas suppliers had a duty to make sure they were safe.

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Fire risk: 40,000 hit by cable recall

Defective electrical cabling sold through major hardware stores and fitted in 40,000 homes and businesses nationwide has been recalled due to a risk of fire.

The consumer watchdog said 18 retailers and wholesalers had recalled cables supplied by Infinity Cable Co Pty Ltd after testing found it failed to meet safety standards.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warned that poor quality coating on the cables may break and cause a fire.

"Testing has found that the cables will degrade prematurely and if the cables are disturbed, the insulation could break and expose live conductors, resulting in possible electric shock or fires," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

Advertisement

The recall affects the Infinity and Olsent cable ranges, which have been sold across Australia since 2010 and are estimated to have been used in about 40,000 homes and businesses.

The cables were sold in Victoria between 2012 and 2013 through Masters, Home Timber and Hardware, Plants Plus, Thrifty-Link Hardware, Mitre 10, Go Electrical and six smaller retailers.

There have not yet been any reports of the cables failing and the ACCC said a taskforce of consumer agencies and building regulators had deemed they did not pose an immediate danger.

But home and business owners who have recently had wiring installed at their property are being urged to contact their builder or a licensed electrical contractor to arrange an inspection. Infinity cabling located in roof spaces, under flooring or close to a heat source will need to be replaced.

Mr Sims said the recall served as a reminder that companies sourcing cheap products from overseas suppliers had a duty to make sure they were safe.

See more here:
ACCC forces recall of electrical cabling sold nationwide and fitted in 40,000 buildings

Defective electrical cabling sold through major hardware stores and fitted in 40,000 homes and businesses nationwide has been recalled due to a risk of fire.

The consumer watchdog said 18 retailers and wholesalers had recalled cables supplied by Infinity Cable Co Pty Ltd after testing found it failed to meet safety standards.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warned that poor quality coating on the cables may break and cause a fire.

"Testing has found that the cables will degrade prematurely and if the cables are disturbed, the insulation could break and expose live conductors, resulting in possible electric shock or fires," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

Advertisement

The recall affects the Infinity and Olsent cable ranges, which have been sold across Australia since 2010 and are estimated to have been used in about 40,000 homes and businesses.

The cables were sold in Victoria between 2012 and 2013 through Masters, Home Timber and Hardware, Plants Plus, Thrifty-Link Hardware, Mitre 10, Go Electrical and six smaller retailers.

There have not yet been any reports of the cables failing and the ACCC said a taskforce of consumer agencies and building regulators had deemed they did not pose an immediate danger.

But home and business owners who have recently had wiring installed at their property are being urged to contact their builder or a licensed electrical contractor to arrange an inspection. Infinity cabling located in roof spaces, under flooring or close to a heat source will need to be replaced.

Mr Sims said the recall served as a reminder that companies sourcing cheap products from overseas suppliers had a duty to make sure they were safe.

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Fault sparks huge recall

Homes can be surprisingly dangerous places with the potential for both environmental hazards and safety concerns.

Homes can contain lead-based paint, asbestos, formaldehyde, radon, mold, imported drywall and other substances that can cause illnesses or chronic health problems. Homes are also full of safety hazards from stairs and stoves to bathtubs and swimming pools that can contribute to accidents, injuries or deaths.

Hazards at home Substandard housing is a significant public health problem, according to Sandra Whitehead, director of healthy community design at the Florida Department of Health in Tallahassee and a technical advisor for the National Environmental Health Association, a nonprofit organization in Denver.

"People who reside in substandard housing are at increased risk for fire, electrical injuries, falls, rodent bites and other illnesses and injuries. Other issues include exposure to pesticide residues, indoor toxicants, tobacco smoke and combustion gases. Burning oil, gas and kerosene can release a variety of combustion products, including carbon monoxide, a well-known cause of illness and death," Whitehead said via email.

Homes can also harbor mold, unhealthy indoor air or residues from illegal drug manufacturing.

"Materials such as carpet and wallboard in homes used as meth labs have absorbed chemicals that can damage the nervous system, liver and blood production mechanisms. Children are at the highest risk, and exposure can trigger birth defects and developmental issues for babies in utero," Whitehead explained.

Home inspection Many home hazards were originally introduced by builders and contractors, says Jay Gregg, director of marketing at Pillar to Post Professional Home Inspections, a Tampa, Florida-based franchise company with 450 outlets in the U.S. and Canada.

One way to find these hazards is get a home inspection , but that's only a starting point. A home inspector can't move furniture or boxes without the homeowner's permission and even a vacant house isn't 100 percent accessible.

First-time homebuyers especially should seek the help of a home inspector as they have never been through the homebuying process before and are not aware of the potential problems they could encounter as homeowners.

"We can't see behind drywall," Gregg says. "We aren't Superman. People end up doing renovations and (discover that) -- whoa! -- there's funky wiring behind this piece of drywall. There's no way a home inspector could see that."

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How Healthy Is Your Home?

Vance Lile relied on his keen attention to detail and sharp situational awareness to stay safe every day during a decade-long career in law enforcement. Now he uses those same skills to inspect Longview homes.

You have to know whats going on around you at all time, Lile, 44, described working in law enforcement. You have to know exactly what youre looking at.

Lile began working as a reserve Longview police officer in 1997 but quit law enforcement in 2007 to pursue a career in building science. In April, he began assessing homes for Pillar to Post, a nationwide home inspection franchise. Within the last month, Lile says, he has become one of the fewif not the onlyLongview home inspectors certified to examine pools, spas, four-plexes and log homes. Hell soon be certified to inspect septic systems and check for radon.

Lile describes himself as mellow and said he liked working with the public during his law enforcement career. But working with buildings affords him the chance to interact with people without having to watch his back all day long.

In 1999, while still working in law enforcement as a juvenile corrections officer, Lile started a side business Aftermath renovation and cleaning. He later left his corrections job to become an operations manager at General Growth Properties.

Inspections became the most enjoyable part of Liles job at General Growth Properties, he said, and he always dreamed of owning his own business. So the former cop closed Aftermath and left General Growth earlier this year. Since then, hes spent about six months and tens of thousands of dollars setting up his new franchise.

Lile says he enjoys the freedom of making his own schedule and the art of running a small business.

Youve got to keep coming up with ways to promote it, and to keep it going, and to feed it, Lile said. Its almost like a living creature.

Lile lives in Vancouver but hopes to move to the Longview area soon. His business serves Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties.

Lile cant keep his business afloat with just specialty inspectionslike examinations of pools and spashe says. Regular home inspections still make up about 90 percent of his business, but his new certifications allow him to offer more hard to find inspection options to potential customers.

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Talking Business: Former Longview police officer opens home inspection service

Brian Carothers sees great wisdom when he meets a yinzer basement visionary.

Those adept buyers can look at an unfinished area beneath a house and see things to come. Plans generally involve pictures of Pittsburgh athletes; IC Light cans commemorating a Super Bowl win; and a piece of carpeting that doesn't quite fit but sort of makes it look like a room, he says with a laugh.

It is space that, when unfinished, isn't counted in the square footage of a home, so is basically free, say building and taxing officials. Architect Ben Maguire and builder Stephen A. Catarinella call it bonus space.

Although the space has untapped potential, as Lawrenceville homeowner Kelly Compeau says, it sometimes is overlooked in discussion of a home.

Catarinella says he always tries to make basement possibilities a part of the conversation when starting a house project. Even if the client doesn't want to do anything with the space when the home is being put together, he tries to make sure they can see what they could do down the road, says the owner of Steve Catranel Construction Co. in Wilkins.

Maguire says he, too, tries to make sure even empty basements are ready for the future by making sure that elements such as electrical wiring or plumbing are available.

Basements, though, still can be a problem with some homes.

Some people look at the bad reputations of basements and leave them unfinished, says Maguire, owner of Emerge Real Estate, a firm that has been creating and redoing homes in Lawrenceville and other parts of the city.

Others, like Kelly Compeau and his wife, Alisa, see basement work as a way to add to their house. He says they wanted an informal gathering spot they didn't think the first floor would provide.

They had Maguire's builders turn an end-to-end basement-level garage into a family room and a workout room the latter of which still is served by the garage door and has a little patio on its end.

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Basements can be valuable bargains for alert homebuyers

by TANYA EISERER

WFAA

Posted on August 22, 2014 at 8:22 PM

Updated yesterday at 12:42 AM

LITTLE ELM -- The gray brick home in Little Elm seemed perfect. Now, its become a nightmare for Leana Sanders and her husband.

The Navy veterans rented the house from Khosrow Sadeghian, the landlord featured in News 8 stories about the substandard, unsafe conditions at many of his properties.

The family had lived there for 21 days when a fire broke out. Electrical wiring was the likely cause of the fire, according to a Little Elm fire department report. The house is currently not habitable.

Something could have happened to my kids, Sanders said, sobbing. Something could have happened me and my husband. It makes me sick. And the thing is that he knows what kind of shape this was in.

Sanders tells a now-familiar story about Sadeghian. They found the house on Craigslist. It needed work, but it sat on a one-acre lot and they liked the location. Sadeghian promised repairs.

We kept coming over here and checking to make sure that everything was getting done, Sanders said. Nothing was getting done.

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Family devastated by fire in Little Elm home rented from problem landlord

SAN DIEGO - No one was hurt after a boulder -- which came from a rock quarry nearly a half-mile away -- struck a Tierrasanta home on Thursday.

Bianca Bushnull was inside her home in the 11400 block of Madera Rosa Way when the giant projectile hit her house.

"I thought we were having an earthquake or something like that, and then I heard like a big, big pop," Bushnull said. "It could kill people, and it's dirt. I mean, imagine if it was a rock... would any of this stuff still be here?"

10News learned the "earthquake" that Bushnull described was from a blast at a quarry on Mission Gorge Road.

The boulder, which was the size of a bowling ball, blasted through stucco, metal wiring and drywall after shattering the corner of a recycling bin.

Escondido-based Superior Ready Mix has explosions in the quarry all of the time. The company uses rocks to make concrete and asphalt, and they contract out.

10News learned Jones Services, out of Alpine, was the company that set off the blast. A company representative came to Bushnull's neighborhood to look for damage and also spoke to Bushnull after the incident.

"[He] said that he had been looking for damage because he actually saw the rocks fly," said Bushnull.

No other homes or neighborhoods reported any damage from the launched rocks.

"I don't know; what if we would have been outside? I guess that's the biggest question. What if I would have been outside?" said Bushnull.

Excerpt from:
Quarry blast sends boulder into home