William “Wilbur” Miller Barbour grew up in Middletown and later made a name for himself far beyond his hometown. After finishing high school there, he went on to study at Elizabethtown College and then pursued a career in social work. He joined the National Urban League, where he helped plan program
The state of New York faces a housing crunch and growing needs for parks, schools, and clean water. A long‑time builder group says the governor’s “Let Them Build” plan can help. They argue that rules meant to protect the environment are too strict for many projects. The law called SEQRA ask
South Portland’s city council set a 2025 plan to turn the old Mahoney Middle School into a community hub, while also aiming to add more affordable homes for middle‑income families. The 2026 agenda repeated the housing push and added a bond vote for city buildings in November. In practice, the Mahon
Disney is using its biggest attractions to stir up housing markets across the U. S. When a theme park gets bigger, it brings more jobs, tourists and money into the area, which in turn pushes up house prices and encourages new rental projects. The company’s latest moves show how careful planning ca
Colorado lawmakers heard a proposal that would let local governments tax vacant houses. The idea, called a “ghost tax, ” was meant to force owners of empty homes to pay extra money and help fund affordable housing. The House Finance Committee voted it down, but the discussion is far from over. The
In a surprising move, Washington, D. C. is using a powerful law meant for organized crime to tackle a different kind of wrongdoing: bad landlords. The city's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against a family accused of running a shady business that provides terrible living conditions to low-inco
The U. S. housing market faced its toughest month yet, with second‑hand home sales falling more than 8% in January. This sharp decline reflects high prices, a tight supply of homes, and growing uncertainty about the economy. The National Association of Realtors reported that 3. 91 million homes wer
The idea that retirees can swap snowy winters for sunny months in a second home has long been a dream. For decades, people from cold northern states and Canada would buy condos or houses in places like Florida, Arizona, and the Gulf Coast. They stayed there for three to six months each year, fueling
Toronto families often find themselves needing more room because kids grow, work shifts to home, or a spare bedroom becomes essential. Buying a new house is a big money decision and can be stressful, so many homeowners look at adding to their current home instead. The main worries about moving ar
The city of Springfield is moving ahead with several major projects that will shape its future. First, new housing options are being added so people at all income levels can find a place to live. This effort keeps the city’s growth balanced and inclusive. Education is getting a boost too. Plans are
