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She Paid $1 Million to Join a Senior Facility. Its Bankruptcy Wiped Her Out.

She Paid $1 Million to Join a Senior Facility. Its Bankruptcy Wiped Her Out.

Arlene Kohen was 89 years old and recently widowed when she moved to the Harborside continuing-care retirement community in Port Washington, N.Y., in January 2020. The facility on Long Island offered independent living units, along with skilled nursing, memory care and assisted living.
Getting in wasn't cheap.
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NY homeowner fills yard with native plants — but town officials threaten a $2K fine unless she makes changes
NY homeowner fills yard with native plants — but town officials threaten a $2K fine unless she makes changes

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time4 hours ago

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NY homeowner fills yard with native plants — but town officials threaten a $2K fine unless she makes changes

A Long Island homeowner has found herself in hot water after letting her yard go au natural. Xilin Zhang of New Hyde Park, New York, transformed her front yard by replacing her traditional lawn with environmentally friendly native plants, using a $350 local grant that was designed for this purpose. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it 'It's a very natural look,' Zhang shared with CBS News. 'There's tons of butterflies and bees and birds coming. It's not just some grass doing nothing.' But local officials who've said Zhang's landscaping looks 'hideous' and violates local code have reportedly given her a summons with a fine of up to $2,000. 'When ugly is that overwhelming, you have to call it what it is," Mayor Christopher Devane told CBS News. 'That front yard looks hideous.' Fortunately, after four trips to the court, a compromise was reached between Zhang and local officials: the summons would be dismissed if the garden was kept below four feet. And while the mayor is happy that the situation has been resolved, he believes these kind of gardens need to look more aesthetically pleasing for this idea to catch on. 'There should be a happy medium," said Mayor Devane. "That, in my opinion, is not it." Going au natural is a growing trend Thanks to the non-profit organization Rewild Long Island, Zhang is part of a movement that encourages homeowners to transform traditional lawns into native plant gardens that require fewer resources and provide greater ecological benefits. "There are lots of towns on Long Island which are encouraging people to put in wild flowers because they don't want all that pollution going into the bay," said Raju Rajan, president of Rewild Long Island. Natural gardens are beneficial because they offer a deeper root system than traditional grass lawns. While turf grass has a root system that's about two inches deep, the roots from native plants can grow up to 15 feet in depth, allowing them to absorb ten times more rainwater than a typical lawn. Native plants also attract birds, butterflies and bees by providing food, shelter and breeding sites that are essential for their survival. "Sustainable gardens are not just beautiful for the eye," said Mindy Germain, the water commissioner in Port Washington, New York. 'They protect our drinking water. We're trying to move away from these big green lawns that are sucking up too much water from our aquifer." And the movement is growing. Many communities outside of New York state — including Green Bay, WI, Cincinnati, OH, and Bellevue, WA — have recognized the benefits of natural lawns by adopting ordinances that promote native plant landscaping. Read more: Americans are 'revenge saving' to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. How to plant a native garden without the backlash If you're thinking about converting your grass lawn into a native garden but want to avoid the headaches that Zhang experienced, the best way to do so is to be proactive: Consult with local officials and neighbors to understand potential concerns Focus on aesthetics that match community standards Create clear borders to show intentional design rather than neglect Natural lawns offer significant environmental benefits, but local regulations vary by location. Because of this, it's critical to communicate with neighbors and authorities to understand not only legal concerns but also the aesthetic concerns that neighbors might have. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of 'massive unemployment' in the US due to the 'biggest change' in history — and says this 1 group of 'smart' Americans will get hit extra hard. Are you one of them? How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Manhattan Project waste materials in Lewiston being moved to Texas
Manhattan Project waste materials in Lewiston being moved to Texas

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time16 hours ago

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Manhattan Project waste materials in Lewiston being moved to Texas

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Shipments of radioactive waste in Lewiston that is left over from the Manhattan Project are being sent to Texas, officials confirmed to WIVB News 4 on Tuesday. The materials are being trucked from Lewiston to Buffalo and then being taken by train to Andrews, Texas, near the New Mexico state line. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the transportation began last week. The radioactive waste has been at a 191-acre site off of Pletcher Road and contains roughly 6,000 cubic yards of soil along with around 4,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater. The area sits roughly a mile and a half east of Lewiston Porter Schools. Nuclear waste from Oppenheimer's Manhattan Project to be removed from WNY site According to News 4 Investigates reporting from 2024, the cost is projected at several hundred millions of dollars and could take more than a decade. Future phases include removing 250,000 cubic yards of waste and residue from the Interim Waste Containment Structure (IWCS), and underground vault. Prep work for removal of Manhattan Project-era radioactive waste begins in Lewiston The waste materials were supposed to be sent to Michigan, but a judge halted the shipments last year. The materials are left over from the top-secret World War II project to develop the world's first atomic bomb. The Niagara Falls Storage Site was used by the Manhattan Engineer District to store radioactive residues and wastes from uranium ore processing beginning in 1944, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Waste materials continued to be brought to the site until 1952. Initial cleanup began in 1986. Latest Local News Woman warns others to stay vigilant in viral video following incident on Niagara Falls bike path Former North Carolina superintendent named Buffalo Public Schools superintendent Manhattan Project waste materials in Lewiston being moved to Texas Bills bringing back red helmets for last regular season game at Highmark 2 suffer life-threatening injuries in Amherst crash Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword

'I've loved the whole thing': County Durham firefighter retires after 25 years
'I've loved the whole thing': County Durham firefighter retires after 25 years

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timea day ago

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'I've loved the whole thing': County Durham firefighter retires after 25 years

A firefighter has retired after dedicating 25 years to protecting the County Durham and Darlington areas. Joe Barford, 50, joined the service at Seaham Fire Station as a firefighter in 2001, aged 26. He worked as a tree surgeon in his early 20s before he joined the crew, where he has remained for the rest of his career. Joe Barford, the retiring Seaham firefighter. (Image: County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service) Throughout his time at the station, he has worked his share of shifts , including Red Watch, White Watch and Day Crewing. "The years have gone so quickly because I've loved every aspect of the job," Said Joe. ADVERTISEMENT "I've loved the whole thing and never not enjoyed the job. It will be a big change retiring." Joe told how the "crew is the best thing about the service" and shared his love for the people he spent his time working with. Joe (right) with his crewmates at Seaham Fire Station. (Image: County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service) He is an avid car and fitness enthusiast in his time spent away from the station. When asked what advice he would give to new firefighters, Joe said: "Put as much effort in as you can because it will pay off. "The best part of the job is the camaraderie, so enjoy that." Recommended reading County Durham man sets off on record canoe challenge in Canadian wilds County Durham student who battled cancer during degree to graduate with top honours ADVERTISEMENT Huge moments as Darlington gymnast, 10, 'so proud' after winning medal at nationals He is looking forward to spending more family time with his wife, Karon, and his 16-year-old daughter in retirement, as they are jetting off on a holiday to Florida this summer. Joe won't be far from the station, however, as he has agreed to continue as an on-call firefighter where needed - an extra role he took on nine years ago. When leaving, he joked: "I'll be back!"

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