West
Squatters allegedly take over home of couple in their 70s: ‘The law should be different’
The daughters of a Colorado Springs couple are alleging that a homeless woman, her boyfriend and her son have taken advantage of their father, who suffers from dementia, and taken over their parents’ house of 50 years.
William Towns, 76, met the woman while he was out walking his dog and saw that she was living out of her car, his daughters wrote in a GoFundMe initiative for legal expenses. His wife, Arlene, was staying with one of her daughters while she recovered from major heart surgery.
“[The homeless woman] offered to do some household chores for him, to which he agreed. Chores turned into using his shower on occasion and then sleeping in a guest room of his home for what he understood to only be a number of days,” Towns’ daughters wrote.
But the woman “quickly took advantage” of the man, moving two non-working automobiles, many of her belongings, her 15-year-old son, her boyfriend and her cat into the house.
BLUE CITIES PLAGUED BY HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS FACE THREAT AS WOMAN’S BODY FOUND IN SUITCASE
William and Arlene Towns, both in their 70s, have been forced to move in with their daughter and are struggling to cover attorney fees. The daughter claims that a homeless woman took advantage of their father, who is suffering from dementia, and turned a few nights to get back on her feet into indefinite residency at their home. (Provided by Christina Elmore)
“[The boyfriend] harasses our dad and our family and friends when asked to leave,” the daughters wrote. “He has provoked altercations with our dad on numerous occasions and gets into arguments with a number of unknown other groups of people that come by the property to seek him out.”
Now, Towns is “extremely uncomfortable having these people and their associates in his home, and is fearful of his safety when at the house.”
The daughters claim that the squatters have started up a “mushroom growing operation” in the couple’s living room, that there is “underage drug use” in the home, that they “intentionally flash” firearms at security cameras installed in the home, that they “turn on faucets and the hose just to let water run” and “leave every light on in the house 24/7.”
“They spend their days living in the home as if it is their own, rummaging through drawers and cupboards, going through storage items, using all appliances, dishes, tools, food in the refrigerator and pantries, etc.,” the GoFundMe states.
“There was never an agreement by our dad, mom, or any of our family members with these people stating that they or any other occupants could take permanent residency in the home or on the property, but because they have stayed in the home for more than a few days, they have rights to the home and can do as they please.
“This isn’t their first rodeo, and they have taken full advantage of the system and know the law is in their favor and seem to live confidently that they will have free housing and utilities for months through this process.”
“What’s the difference between what happened in Colorado and a home invasion?”
The Towns couple live off Social Security on a fixed income, their daughters wrote, and cannot afford the exorbitant legal fees associated with extricating their unwelcome guests. They wrote that an attorney will charge a $1,800 retainer and $400 to $500 per hour. Meanwhile, the family claims, the squatters “receive free legal services, court fees waived, all of their required paperwork provided directly to them… everything served to them on a golden platter.”
The family wrote that they have called on the Colorado Springs Police Department “exhaustively” for help. “Many times dispatch doesn’t come at all; others it takes 24+ hours for an officer to come, and when they do, they speak to this woman and her boyfriend and they are not given permission by them to enter the property, so they can’t do anything.”
“We feel so helpless, and each day that goes by and each new failed attempt to ask for help from law enforcement leaves us feeling less and less trust in the system’s ability to keep our community safe,” the daughters write. “We just don’t know what else to do, and just sitting around for months watching while our parents are scared to live in their home is unbearable, unfair, and absolutely unacceptable.”
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The Colorado Springs Police Department told Fox 21 that because the alleged squatters were invited inside, it is not trespassing, and evictions are handled by the Sheriff’s Office. The case will likely require a court order, judge’s decision and enforcement by El Paso County. (Colorado Springs Police Department)
The Colorado Springs Police Department told Fox 21 that because the alleged squatters were invited inside, it is not trespassing, evictions are handled by the Sheriff’s Office, and that the case will likely require a court order, judge’s decision, and enforcement by El Paso County.
Fox News Digital could not reach the Colorado Springs Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office for comment at press time.
“From a legal perspective, the key here is the permission – if the people were not invited into the home, they’d be squatters, they’d be trespassing, and you could go directly to law enforcement,” real estate litigator Kevin Hughes, a partner at California-based Foundation Law Group, told Fox News Digital. “You still would have to go ultimately through the legal eviction process… they have rights and they have rights to due process.
“What you would need to do, you should engage an eviction lawyer. You’re going to need ultimately to write a letter, give them clear notice, and demand that any tenancy rights they have are hereby terminated, and they have to leave by this specific date. That’s the start of the process.”
If the interlopers don’t leave by that point, Hughes said, the couple can file an eviction complaint. After another 30 to 45 days, a judge may give sheriff’s deputies an order that would allow them to remove the unwanted family.
SQUATTER LAWS IN CALIFORNIA ALLOW POTENTIAL TENANCY RIGHTS AFTER 30 DAYS IN A PROPERTY
Foundation Law Group partner Kevin Hughes detailed the arduous process the couple will face getting their home back. (Provided)
“The reality is you probably have these people staying under your roof for a couple of months, even after you start this process with that notice letter,” Hughes said.
The father’s allegedly compromised mental state could add a layer of complications to the situation rather than a legal remedy, Hughes said.
“It’s just a question of whether the parent has the cognitive capacity to be a good [legal] client and to advise and instruct the lawyer… if not, you get into a situation where you may need either a power of attorney, a legal guardianship or conservatorship,” Hughes said. “And that is complicated and that’s time-consuming and that’s expensive, and that’s a different lawyer…. But we just want to get the squatters out. And already, we’re thinking about how much time that’s going to take and how much money it’s going to cost.”
“What’s the difference between what happened in Colorado and a home invasion? Except the people who invaded got comfortable? And, you know, and brought their toothbrushes. Well, it doesn’t seem like the law should favor that. That’s crazy. And because it’s crazy, the law should be different.”
Read the full article from Here
Nevada
Northern Nevada gardens and backyards: Controlling insects with systemic insecticides – Carson Now
Last week I wrote about soft versus armored scale insects. Soft scales exude honeydew, are protected by ants and can be controlled by systemic insecticides, some of which have the active ingredient imidacloprid. Armored scales do not emit honeydew and are not managed by an imidacloprid insecticide.
Imidacloprid is a systemic neonicotinoid insecticide that is designed to kill piercing/sucking insects via damage to their nervous system. Systemic means it is applied on the leaves, stems or as a soil drench and spreads internally throughout the plant. When an insect feeds on any part of the plant such as the pollen, nectar, flowers, fruit, leaves, or other plant tissues, it ingests the toxic chemical and dies.
Systemic insecticides can kill not only pests such as soft scales, but also their natural enemies and non-target/beneficial insects such as bees and other pollinators, including butterflies, moths and their larvae. They also can “adversely affect reproduction, growth, insect immune systems, learning, flying, or other attributes even at concentrations too low to cause death outright.” Native bees, who often nest in the ground, can be more susceptible than honeybees, particularly to soil drench applications.
Systemic insecticides kill over time at a steady concentration, which can cause a longer toxic exposure. Although it is often suggested to apply in the evening when insects aren’t out, or after flowering season, harmful exposures can still occur. These chemicals can last for months or years in soil. They sometimes leach into groundwater but fortunately are usually only slightly toxic to fish. One application may provide season long control.
Chemical insecticides are always a last resort. The risks versus benefits must be carefully evaluated. A healthy thriving plant is one of the best defenses against scale or other insect damage. Good watering, the appropriate amount of fertilizer and maintenance keep a plant resistant to attacks. Predators, including lady beetles, bugs and lacewings, play an important part in pest management.
Plant a diversity of flowering plants to attract and feed natural enemies. Sometimes when you see scales on a plant, they may have already been parasitized by parasitic wasps. If a large number are parasitized, there are eggs in or on each scale eating away at them. Sometimes scales are no longer alive and do not require a pesticide treatment. Check before applying insecticides. Using tape traps to monitor crawlers will help you accurately time the use of horticulture oils, Neem oil or insecticidal soap. Dormant oil treatment on deciduous woody plants will help kill overwintering scale pests and reduce future populations.
JoAnne Skelly is an Associate Professor and Extension Educator, Emerita, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. She can be reached at skellyj@unr.edu.
Related
New Mexico is not adding population the way some Sun Belt states are. The state’s overall population dipped slightly between 2020 and 2024, though the picture is more complicated than a simple out-migration story. International immigration adds a meaningful slice of inbound traffic, and three population centers along the I-25 corridor capture most of the people moving in. Career growth in defense, semiconductors, and the federal scientific complex matters, but for retirees in particular, affordability and the high-altitude climate carry more weight. The three cities below catch most of the inbound traffic.
Inbound moves to New Mexico concentrate in the major population centers along I-25. Career growth in unique technological and scientific sectors draws newcomers along with affordability factors compared with other US regions, often the major draw for retirees. Neighboring Texas, Colorado, and Arizona supply the majority of new arrivals. Consumer Affairs data shows about 21.3 percent of inbound movers are retirees while 30 percent cite job opportunities. The state’s natural scenic backdrop and access to outdoor recreation also factor in.
Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho sits in Sandoval County immediately northwest of Albuquerque, with a population near 112,500 and an 8.1 percent growth rate between 2020 and 2024 (the strongest in New Mexico by raw numbers). Arizona supplies a meaningful share of the new arrivals. Unemployment runs close to the national average around 4.5 percent. Intel Corporation is the principal local employer, with the company’s Fab 11X semiconductor facility based in town and a $3.5 billion expansion underway.
The town’s growth runs on proximity to Albuquerque and Santa Fe combined with direct access to the high desert. Mainstays like Turtle Mountain Brewing Company anchor a working local business scene. The Willow Creek Trail and the wider Jemez Mountain Trail handle outdoor recreation 30 minutes north.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe probably needs no introduction. The state capital and its surrounding areas have drawn artistic communities for more than a century, with the more recent decades adding celebrity buyers and Hollywood film and television production through the New Mexico Film Office. Santa Fe also holds the title of the oldest state capital in the United States, established by Spanish colonists in 1610.
The town runs a population around 90,550 with the second-highest housing costs in the state after Los Alamos. The national median home listing price is around $394,000, while Santa Fe’s median runs roughly $764,000. Santa Fe County reports list Los Angeles, Dallas, and Seattle among the primary sources of new residents, which paints a clearer picture of who Santa Fe typically attracts. The city’s population climbed by about 10,000 between 2020 and 2024, with another 1,000 added through 2025.
Las Cruces
Las Cruces runs a population near 117,000 with an annual growth rate of about 1.83 percent. The city remains largely underappreciated by those looking to relocate, but a steady stream of individuals and families do make the move, largely for federal and military employment opportunities at the White Sands Test Facility and the White Sands Missile Range to the east. The local economy has also seen sporadic increases in construction and healthcare hiring.
Affordability is the headline pull. Las Cruces sits 8 to 11 percent below the national cost-of-living average. According to apartments.com, housing runs 16.6 percent less expensive than the national average. The region also pulls more than 300 sunny days per year, and direct access to hiking in the Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks National Monument is one of the more underrated outdoor draws in the Southwest. New Mexico State University adds the cultural and athletic anchor at the centre of the city.
The High-Desert Corridor
The bigger pattern: newcomers to the Land of Enchantment gravitate to the populous corridor running south to north between Los Lunas, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe, with some pushing farther north to Taos or Angel Fire. The primary draw is not the countryside but the employment opportunities, security, and amenities a major city can offer. Unless a specific job is the driver, most people are attracted to New Mexico for natural beauty, climate, lower cost of living, and cultural mainstays. In-state relocators tend to seek better career opportunities or specific access to a particular town and its offerings.
Oregon
Oregon’s 1,500-Acre Dog Park Paradise Just Outside Portland Offers Off-Leash Terrain, Trails, And River – Islands
For many dogs, a perfect day involves playing catch in a giant field, sniffing around a dense forest, and topping it all off with a swim. Just outside of Portland, Oregon, which Forbes calls one of the best cities in the U.S. for dogs, lies the Sandy River Delta, where dogs can have their perfect day. The park offers close to 1,500 acres of pure, off-leash dog bliss where the Sandy River meets the mighty Columbia. This land was once a part of the Watlala Nation and was visited by Lewis and Clark, whose team camped on the shores of the Columbia here.
Almost the entirety of the park is off-leash. The park has five trails where dogs can be off-leash, beaches, rivers, and fields that are all open to sniffing, running free, and playing catch. You’re able to hike the trails with your dog roaming along at their own pace. The trails allowing dogs off-leash range from 0.25 to 2 miles long and showcase different ecological zones in the delta. The forests are full of interesting smells for your pup, and the meadows are wide and open — perfect spots to play with other dogs that are also having their best day ever.
The Sandy River Delta is located in Troutdale, Oregon’s “Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge.” Standing in the middle of the park, looking at the views of the gorge, you’d never know that downtown Portland is 17 miles to the west.
There’s so much for you and your dog to do at the Sandy River Delta Park
The areas a dog must remain on-leash are: the parking lot, bathrooms, picnic areas, and within 100 feet of one of the park’s main treks, the Confluence Trail. If you take a route that crosses the Confluence Trail, your dog is allowed to be off-leash, as long as they don’t disturb hikers. A fenced section on the park’s eastern edge is closed to people and pets to give wildlife some peace and quiet. Other than those specified areas, your dog has plenty of acreage to explore. Just make sure your dog doesn’t dig, and please pack out their waste!
Humans have something to look forward to here, as well. The Confluence Trail runs 1.25 miles along ADA-compliant gravel leading to a bird blind designed by architect and sculptor Maya Lin. The elliptical bird blind is made of wooden slats inscribed with the name and current conservation status of the 134 different species Lewis and Clark encountered. Lin is a renowned artist whose work appears at places like Storm King Art Center, one of the largest outdoor sculpture parks in the U.S.
How to get to the Sandy River Delta Park and what’s nearby
One practical note: bring a towel for your pup. The park offers a lot of water for your dog to swim in, and the shore gets pretty muddy. The cool water is a refreshing treat for your dog in the middle of summer. You can hike to the Sandy River and a side channel of the Columbia easily. Don’t worry — the nearby forest provides free sticks to toss into the water for your dog to fetch. To get to the Sandy River Delta from wherever you are in Portland, take I-84 East. The parking lot will get full on the weekends, so get there early or go late. If the parking is full, you can park down the street at a free lot across from the river and enter through a trail.
After all this running around and sniffing, you deserve a treat, too. Portland is one of the top five foodie cities in the U.S., and that love of good food doesn’t stop at the city borders. A mile down the street from the park is the Sugarpine Drive-In, a restored gas station casually serving gourmet food and ice cream sundaes. The New York Times said the Cherries Jubilee Sundae was one of the best dishes in 2024. On the way home, stop at McMenamins’ Edgefield location — a former farm that is now home to a pet-friendly hotel, multiple bars and restaurants, a spa, a brewery, distillery, winery, golf course, and an outdoor concert venue that consistently brings in nationally touring acts.
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