Killeen Homes for Sale

If you haven’t yet fired up your fireplace, insert or wood stove, before you do, make sure the chimney is clean and in good condition.

Candles add light and ambiance in winter, but be careful. Extinguish them before you retire for the evening and keep them away from curtains.

Arrington
Sacramento Bee

Roof? Check. Windows? Check. Furnace? Check.

When it comes to winter chores, there’s no time for procrastination. Mother Nature waits for no one. When winter comes knocking, simple tasks can become far more complicated.

“We’ve seen a lot of people coming in for insulation or thermostats,” said Ben Lister, manager of the Home Depot in Sacramento, Calif.

Preventive maintenance can lower heating costs.

First, stop the air leaks.

“You’d be amazed,” Lister said. “If you combined all the little gaps and cracks around your house, it would add up to a 9-square-foot hole.”

Weather strip around doors, caulk around windows and spray gap-filler everywhere else; that will block those leaks.

Not sure where to start? “Try the tissue test,” he said. “Take a tissue and place it around doors and windows. If the tissue moves, there’s a leak and lost energy.”

Saving energy is high on consumers’ winter checklists.

“We’ve definitely seen much more awareness,” Lister said. “Before buying products, consumers want to know how it’s going to benefit their home — not just today, but years to come.”

To save energy now, change the air filters of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

“Change your air filters every three months and you’ll save $100 a year,” Lister said.

If your furnace has a musty smell, it may be time for a tune-up. That scent can signal other issues that may be resolved with simple fixes now.

These two winter warmers cost nothing:

Open drapes and let sunshine take the chill off rooms. But remember to close them again after dark.

Reverse the direction of ceiling fans so warm air is pushed down into the room. On most models, that’s clockwise.

If a leak materializes now, attack it right away.

“A little drip can cause enormous damage,” Lister said. “You don’t want to wait.”

Windows also may show condensation, a buildup of moisture.

“We often get calls from homeowners who are concerned that their windows are ’sweating’ or leaking either inside or outside the home because they see moisture on the glass,” said Christopher Burk of Simonton Windows. “In reality, that’s simply not the case. While condensation may collect on the interior or exterior of energy-efficient windows, the units are really doing their job by helping serve as a barrier in the home.”

Recognize the difference between condensation on the glass and between the glass panes of a multilayer window.

“If you are seeing moisture, fogging or cloudiness between the panes of glass in your window, this is a strong indication that the seal of your window has failed and it’s time to get a new window,” Burk said. “Failed seals lack the energy efficiency and features necessary to help you keep energy bills low and enjoy comfortable living in your home. While condensation on the interior or exterior of the glass is manageable, moisture between the glass needs swift attention.”

Other dangers

Winter can create danger around the home.

Ken Nigohosian, MetLife’s regional sales manager for Northern California and a home- and auto-safety expert, focuses first on fire safety. Half of all heating-related home fires happen during December, January and February.

“People want to keep their home heating expenses down,” he said. “So, people look for alternatives — fireplaces and stoves.”

But those come with risks. Remember: Have the chimney cleaned before you fire up the season’s first blaze.

Don’t start a fire with barbecue lighter fluid or other flammable liquids; they’re not for indoor use.

“It increases the intensity of the fire considerably,” Nigohosian said.

Candles in particular present a winter safety challenge.

“Candles do add to the festive atmosphere,” Nigohosian said. “But they can be hazardous around children and pets; keep them away from candles. Never put candles near flammable materials such as curtains or drapes. Make sure all candles are put out before you go to bed or if you leave home.”

Despite high-profile media attention, the odds of having your credit or debit card number stolen by crooks remains at historically low levels. That said, it’s always good to know what to do in case lightning does strike and someone fraudulently uses your card. Left unchecked, they might try to run up bills, drain your checking account or worse — steal your identity.

Here are actions to take if this happens to you:

First, contact the bank or credit union that issued your card. You’ll find a toll-free number on the back of your card, on your billing statement or at the company’s website. Close the compromised account and open a new one with a different account number. Change related passwords or PIN numbers and notify companies that have automatic payments tied to the closed account to make sure you don’t miss a payment. Also log all calls, letters and emails you have with your card issuer about the fraud — this will be helpful if you need to file a claim or police report.

Contact one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax (888-766-0008), Experian (888-397-3742) or TransUnion (800-680-7289), and place an initial fraud alert on your credit file if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. Whichever bureau you contact will notify the other two to do the same. If you wish, you can renew these fraud alerts each quarter, free of charge. If you determine that you actually have suffered identity theft, you can also file an extended fraud alert, which will stay on your reports for seven years.

Placing a fraud alert entitles you to one free credit report from each bureau. Although the alert makes it harder for someone to open new credit accounts in your name, it won’t necessarily prevent them from using existing accounts. That’s why it’s important to close compromised accounts and to carefully review your credit reports for errors, fraudulent activity, or suspicious credit inquiries from an unfamiliar source. Also be aware that posting a fraud alert could delay your own ability to obtain new credit.

If you determine someone has stolen from your account or your identity has otherwise been compromised, file an identity theft report with the police. The Federal Trade Commission’s “Defend: Recover From Identity Theft” website contains step-by-step instructions for completing and filing the report with local, state and federal law-enforcement agencies (www.ftc.gov/consumer).

Also send copies of the report — by certified mail, return requested — to the credit bureaus and companies whose accounts were impacted. You can also file a complaint with the FTC, which will enter the information into a secure online database shared by thousands of civil and criminal law-enforcement authorities worldwide (https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov).

Most card issuers provide “zero liability” coverage for unauthorized credit and debit card use when you promptly report the loss. Rules vary, so ask your bank or credit union for its policies.

Going forward, carefully monitor your monthly credit card and bank statements for fraudulent charges. To learn other good tips for protecting your personal and account information and preventing fraud, go to:

The National Cyber Security Alliance’s www.StaySafeOnline.org.

The FBI’s “Be Crime Smart” page (www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/be_crime_smart).

Visa Inc.’s VisaSecuritySense (www.visasecuritysense.com), which contains tips on preventing fraud online, in stores and at ATMs, spotting deceptive marketing practices, and more.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. Follow him on Twitter at PracticalMoney.

Whether you’re updating the old décor of a house you just purchased or rethinking your choice of bright floral wallpaper for your dining room, removing wallpaper can be a messy and time-consuming project. Learn these basics and you’ll be on your way to bare walls in no time.

Before You Start

• You may be tempted to paint or paper over the current wallpaper, but doing so can result in a bumpy, uneven (and even peeling) wall surface.

• Know what’s underneath the wallpaper. Drywall is more likely to gouge than plaster. It’s also more susceptible to water damage, so avoid over wetting it.

• Dry-strippable wall coverings, which often have smooth, plastic-like textures, can be removed by hand. Non-strippable wall covering is trickier to remove.

• Find out what kind of wallpaper you’re dealing with by peeling away a piece with a utility knife, starting at a top corner. Grasping the tip of the wallpaper, try to pull it down while keeping it as close to the wall as possible.

• If it’s strippable, it should peel away from the wall when you apply steady pressure.

• If it doesn’t peel off, or if only the decorative surface layer peels off, you’ll need to use a different approach (see below).

Techniques

• If the paper is strippable, slowly peel back each strip at a 10- to 15- degree angle. If you pull the paper straight out, you risk damaging the wall surface.

• If the wallpaper doesn’t come off with this method, you have a few options. First, try warm water and a wallpaper removal solvent. Saturate the wall with the solvent (a paint roller works especially well) and scrape the paper off with a wallpaper scraper.

• If drywall is underneath, make sure to scrape off the paper within 15 minutes to avoid damaging the surface.

• Tough jobs may require you to rent an electrical steamer, which consists of a heated water tank with a long hose attached to a perforated steamer plate. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for detailed directions.

Safety Measures

• Protect yourself from chemical vapors by wearing a painter’s mask.

• Cover the floor with a canvas drop cloth or towels.

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference in the value and appeal of your home. Whether you’re trying to sell your home of just spruce up the place, here are 10 easy ways to get started. 

1. Update hardware on cabinets and drawers
2. Replace towels and rugs in the bathroom(s)
3. Add overhead lighting or wall sconces to brighten rooms
4. Declutter small spaces and closets with DIY storage kits
5. Wash or power wash the exterior of your home (especially windows)
6. Add area rugs to throw in a hint of color
7. Hang a mirror in small rooms to give the illusion of more space
8. A fresh coat of paint on walls and trim brighten any room
9. Try a fresh new color on your front door for character
10. Mow and mulch your lawn even in the cooler months

Make a plan. Set a budget. Get started!

By Sean Wardwell
Killeen Daily Herald

About three weeks ago, 79-year-old Wanda Jenkins got an unexpected telephone call that nearly cost her thousands.

“The voice (on the line) said ‘Hi, Grandma. This is your favorite grandson,’” said Jenkins, who lives in Killeen.

The caller continued the conversation by saying he was currently in San Diego for a friend’s wedding but was arrested for assault after trying to defend himself against an attacker. The person told Jenkins he wasn’t in trouble but was liable for his attacker’s injuries. Since he didn’t have insurance, he needed $2,800 immediately.

“I told him I didn’t have it and the phone went dead,” Jenkins recalled Friday. “I called my grandson back and he said, ‘Grandma, I haven’t been talking to you.’ It dawned on me what happened.”

Jenkins was almost a victim of “the grandparent scam,” which is one of several methods criminals use to prey on elderly people who are often trusting and less likely to report crimes, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Recently, successful scams were reported in Belton, said Detective Sgt. Larry Berg, of the Belton Police Department. Con artists were able to convince three people to send nearly $10,000.

“(The money from our cases) was wired to Mexico City,” he said. “Once it’s sent (over the wire), you’re not getting it back. The money isn’t insured.”

Jenkins said she would have sent money, too, if she had it because of concern for the caller posing as her grandson.

“People who grew up in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s were generally raised to be polite and trusting,” according to the FBI’s common fraud scheme website. “Con artists exploit these traits, knowing that it is difficult or impossible for these individuals to say ‘no’ or just hang up the telephone.”

Berg said this kind of scam has the potential to generate millions of dollars annually and, due to the intricacy of the scam, it is exceedingly difficult to pursue and prosecute the offenders. He said law enforcement investigators don’t know how the con artists are getting people’s personal information, but it is “very accurate.”

The important thing to do, according to local law enforcement officials, is never divulge any information, even if the caller seems believable, and report the attempt to the police.

“If you don’t know who (the caller is), don’t give them anything,” said Carroll Smith, spokesperson for the Killeen Police Department.

By Rosemary Sadez Friedmann
Scripps Howard News Service

Are you getting ready to paint to freshen up your home for fall or the holidays — or just because it’s time to do something with those walls?

Here are some thoughts to help you select the right finish.

Color options are many, as you surely have noticed, but once you’ve selected the right color, you have another choice. Do you purchase it in flat, semigloss or gloss?

Ah, that is a good question. Your choice will determine how vivid details appear, and how easy it will be to clean that wall when necessary.

Glossier or shinier finishes have higher levels of resin and lower levels of pigmentation, while the less-shiny finishes have more pigment than resin. (That’s just a by-the-way remark to keep in the back of your head or to sound intelligent around your friends.)

First know that the terminology differs from one brand of paint to the next. “Flat” might be called “matte.” This paint is a nonreflective and can be washable. Then there is an eggshell finish, or “low luster.” This one is more washable than flat or matte and has a very slight sheen.

Next in line: satin finish. This one has a definite sheen to it, and can be hard to distinguish from semigloss. Actually, some brands call the same finish either “sheen” or “semigloss.” How’s that for confusion? Then, there is full-gloss paint. This one is the shiniest of all and also the most durable.

Generally, the higher the gloss is, the more washable the paint. Flat paint isn’t going to be as washable as gloss, but all can be washed. The difference is how much you think the walls in that room will need to be washed.

There are also differences in how each finish looks. Being nonreflective, a flat or matte finish will disguise surface imperfections and rough wall surfaces the best.

As you go up in shine, more imperfections will show. In other words, a very glossy finish will highlight any and all imperfections a wall may have.

Usually, selecting a satin finish instead of a gloss is a good compromise, because the satin is washable enough but won’t highlight any flaws on the wall. Woodwork that is in good shape does well and looks classy when semigloss is applied. A front door will be dramatic with a semigloss finish, as well.

When using a semigloss or gloss finish, add a little Floetrol or a similar product to the paint before applying it to the wall. The Floetrol will help the paint flow on more smoothly and will minimize brush or roller marks.

From staff and wire reports

Motorists will have new rules to follow after a new law eliminates the state’s nighttime speed limit restrictions and raises the daytime limit to 75 mph.

The law, one of 700 approved by Texas lawmakers in the 82nd Legislative Session, goes into effect today, but drivers in Bell County won’t be privy to the change just yet.

Ken Roberts, Texas Department of Transportation spokesman, said TxDOT crews will begin removing 500 signs throughout the eight-county district today and will continue through the month of September.

“TxDOT’s going to be removing the current nighttime differential signs now through the end of September,” he said.

Though the law will change, Roberts said his department is not going to arbitrarily change the speed limit on all roads.

“We will be conducting speed studies on various roadways throughout our eight-county district to determine what, if any, can accommodate proposed additional speed,” he said. The studies will be conducted over the next 18 months.

Other new state laws

As a result of other changes going into effect today, the first day of the state’s fiscal year, Texans will be able to “noodle” — catch catfish using only their bare hands — and hunters can shoot feral hogs and coyotes from helicopters.

Aimed at keeping public school athletes safe, a new law requires school districts to recondition football helmets every two years once they have been used a decade. Helmets in use for more than 16 years must be sidelined permanently.

Another law lets governments use eminent domain to seize private property only if it’s necessary for highways, schools or other public uses. The government then must make a “bona fide” offer to buy the property and pay landowners’ relocation expenses. A new law bans property seizure for private use, which was already prohibited by a 2009 constitutional amendment.

On election day, voters will be required to show photo identification before casting ballots.

Another new Texas law makes it a crime to impersonate someone online without obtaining his or her permission with the intent to harm, defraud, threaten or intimidate.

New legislation cracks down on drunken driving. If a suspected inebriated motorist refuses to give a blood sample, a police officer will be allowed to apply for a warrant to take a sample to determine if the blood-alcohol level is higher than the Texas legal limit of 0.08.

Also, a driver whose blood-alcohol level is 0.15 or higher will automatically face a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail. The previous charge was a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a six-month jail penalty.

And now in Texas, the capital murder charge that carries a possible death sentence if someone is convicted of killing a child applies to victims age 10 or younger. Previously, a suspect was charged with capital murder in a child’s death if the victim was 6 or younger. Also, some repeat offenders convicted of certain sex offenses will be sentenced to life without parole.

One law, the $172 billion two-year budget, didn’t raise taxes but cut spending by $15 billion, including $4 billion from public education.

A Texas bill requiring pre-abortion sonograms was to become law today. The Center for Reproductive Rights had sued to block the law and a federal judge in Austin granted a temporary injunction Tuesday, ruling that the main portions violate the First Amendment. State Attorney General Greg Abbott said he plans to appeal the ruling.

The bill requires women seeking an abortion to have a sonogram and mandates that doctors describe the fetus’ features and let the women hear the fetal heartbeat. Then women must wait 24 hours before having the abortion — or two hours if they live more than 100 miles away from the nearest clinic. Women can opt out of the sonogram only in cases of rape, incest or fatal abnormalities of the fetus.

Joshua Holm of Killeen signs a copy of his book, “Some of my Life Lessons,” during a book signing Saturday at Hastings Books in Killeen.

Joshua Holm of Killeen greets a crowd of interested patrons during a book signing for his first book, “Some of my Life Lessons,” Saturday at Hastings Books in Killeen

By Andy Ross
Killeen Daily Herald

Back in 2003, Joshua L. Holm was wounded in Iraq while performing house raids with the 4th Infantry Division.

In addition to shrapnel wounds and injuries to the head, both of Holm’s kneecaps were shattered, leaving him unable to walk without the use of braces.

Since that time, the road has not been an easy one for Holm.

“I felt like a child and had no purpose,” said the now 27-year-old Army veteran, describing some of the challenges he faced while trying to rebuild his life.

But eventually Holm found a purpose through the act of putting his story on paper. Late last year, he published his first book, “Some of My Life Lessons,” which describes his troubled teenage years in Arkansas and his subsequent discovery of Jesus Christ.

“This is told through the eyes of a rebellious child,” said Holm, who held a book signing with his wife, Crystal, Saturday at Hastings Books in Killeen. “It’s about finding value in life even through the trials and tribulations.”

Holm said he is working on a follow-up book that focuses more on his time in Iraq. His commitment to writing also goes along with his new-found pursuit of motivational speaking.

One of the biggest lessons Holm said he has learned is the need to shed his pride and accept the aspects of life he cannot change.

A turning point for that principle came in 2009 when he suffered a seizure and hit his head on a counter. After an emergency room visit and evaluation, Holm learned he had been living with traumatic brain injury since coming home from Iraq.

Through the help of his wife and his study of Jesus Christ, Holm said he began to realize how much his pride was getting in the way. “My kryptonite is pride,” he said. “I’ve got to take those things I can do and take them to another level, and the things I can’t do, I have to let others help me out.”

By Gyman Okeson
Special to the Daily Herald

Anyone who actively gardens in Texas is familiar with fire ants. These pests not only cause unsightly mounds to grow up almost overnight in our flower beds and lawns, but the ants are known for their aggressive behavior and their potent sting that usually causes multiple small ulcerations and more than a little discomfort.

Their presence is particularly annoying when they nest in a compost pile. They usually make their presence known when you dig into the pile to retrieve some compost to use while transplanting a favorite plant, only realizing too late the pain of their sting as they swarm up your limbs. Fire ants will not go away by themselves. They continue to multiply and can cause real damage. If there is only one mound in evidence, be aware there are multiple ones unseen and most mounds have multiple queens.

Most of the usual commercial remedies are potentially toxic to humans. In addition, they require time and multiple steps before they reach the queen so that colony destruction can occur. Commercial contact poisons often result in the colony just moving to another location. The ants will usually not accept corn-meal baits that have been stored adjacent to petroleum or fertilizer products. One “non-toxic” method of killing a mound consists of pouring boiling water on it. The fact that the queen of a well-developed colony may live as deep as 30 feet below the ground and up to 20 to 50 feet from the visible mound explains the poor results gained from this method. Also handling boiling water is not very safe.

There are two other non-toxic, environmentally friendly methods that you may want to try to kill fire ant mounds. The first method, originally espoused on a Georgia gardener radio program, consists of pouring two cups of club soda (carbonated water) directly onto the center of the mound. The carbon dioxide in the club soda is heavier than air and displaces the oxygen in the passageways of the colony, suffocating the queen and other ants. The entire colony will become dormant in about two days. The soda leaves no poisonous residue, and is not harmful to pets or other animals. One liter of club soda will kill 2 or 3 mounds.

The second method, which works faster than the club soda method, consists of mixing a half-cup of dish soap (any kind will do) in a gallon of water and then pouring it directly onto the center of the mound. The soap dissolves the waxy outer coating of the ant’s exoskeleton causing it to overhydrate or dehydrate (depending on the circumstances), resulting in rapid death. I have seen a colony become completely inactive within 30 minutes using this method. Again, the method is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

Have any questions about gardening in Central Texas? Email ask.bcmga@gmail.com.

Flowers aren’t the only way to add color to your yard. In this shady planting, you can really see the effects of sun dappling on variegated

 

Golden variegated timber bamboo offers brightly striped stems rather than leaves to add dimension and depth to a shady outdoor space.

By Maureen Gilmer
Scripps Howard News Service

Shade got you down?

Are you struggling to create a garden under beautiful old shade trees? Perhaps buildings block the sunlight from reaching your small patch of ground. What to grow in the shade is a common gardening question.

The solution is finding plants that are naturally adapted to conditions beneath forest trees. Known as the understory, such perennials tolerate low light, leaf litter and acidic conditions. Select from this group and your problem takes care of itself.

Shade plants need to stand out because there is so little light to bring out their colors. After sunset, the first colors to fade are green, blue and red. The last are cream, white and yellow. Select plants with foliage from this bright color range and they’ll stand out in low light.

The best sources are plants with variegated foliage. When a plant is variegated, its leaves are accented in silver, cream or yellow, the very colors we are looking for. Variegation may occur on a leaf’s edges or at its center, in spots and stripes.

Integrate these plants into darker-green shade foliage and they will stand out in high contrast. Designers create the illusion of sun dappling by subtly adding variegated plants to grant light, depth and dimension to the composition.

There are many outstanding candidates to begin your adventure into variegation. The most well known are hostas, a popular shade foliage plant with a gazillion different varieties. This group is a treasure trove of variegated highlights for colder climates featuring a full range of pale accent hues.

Where winters are warmer, dwarf periwinkle is an outstanding variegated groundcover. Its long arching stems and large leaves feature bright yellow or cream variegation accented by periwinkle-blue blossoms. It’s among the easiest plants to grow in low light and moist conditions. It is particularly useful on sloping ground or in pockets of rocky outcroppings.

The same may be said for dwarf English ivy. This small-leaf hybrid has been a popular breeding subject for many years because the little leaves are so delightful when variegated. They can be a soft gray color with creamy edges. The most coveted are the gold-highlighted varieties, such as Gold Heart, because they are so cheerful. Like their larger relatives, these small plants will cling to vertical surfaces, turning a dark wall or fence into a much brighter background.

Variegated timber bamboo is a striking choice because its leaves are green while the big canes are striped in bright green and yellow. The pattern changes altogether with each segment of the cane. Dwarf whitestripe bamboo is a great problem-solving groundcover for smaller gardens.

To solve your problem shade areas, variegated foliage offers the best accent that extends the entire season. Begin with these easy-to-grow starters to discover how much a little cream and gold can brighten your garden’s darkest dells.