Latest news with #Heger
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida 55-plus community residents say they're being priced out after lot rents nearly double in price
Jodi Heger is a resident of Spanish Village and leases the land beneath her mobile home — a common occurrence for many of those living in mobile home lots. The rent was affordable on her income, but now she may be forced to leave the mobile home community for those aged 55 and over. As to what prompted the price increase, Heger told reporters at News 6 that, 'they can do it because there's no cap saying they can and can't.' It's not a small increase either. Heger is currently paying $480 a month to lease the land. In a few short months, the rent will almost double to $850 per month. For Heger and other residents, the increase is forcing them into a financial bind, even if they had the option to relocate. 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 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Residents are saying it's a trend they're seeing elsewhere too — corporations are purchasing mobile home parks, and then increasing the rent for this land. The rent increases have huge negative financial ramifications because many residents rely on small retirement accounts or Social Security payments. Some may not even have any retirement set aside at all and live on fixed incomes, month-to-month. Peggy Elam is another resident that is feeling the pinch. Her father-in-law purchased the home in 1994, but the increases in rent — which have now happened several times by as much as $200 or more each time — are squeezing her out of the community. In tears, she told reporters, 'I promised to take care of it and now we may have no choice but to sell it.' Because so many can't afford the lot rent, residents are putting up their homes for sale. Spanish Village HOA President Phillip Roy said that out of the 36 homes listed for sale in the community, 32 are listed because the lease has become too costly. The issue is also that the increasing rent has made the homes less desirable to prospective buyers, leaving the current owners in a lurch. While homes previously went for as much as $150,000, now prices have gone as low as $30,000. 'People are actually losing their equity in their homes very quickly,' he told reporters. On their part, The Power Group — the management company responsible for Spanish Village — offered a written statement explaining the rent increases. The statement says that Spanish Village is, "consistently enhancing the community with impactful upgrades — including new roads, golf course installation, clubhouse renovations, extensive landscaping and tree work, and more." The company also says that it offers, 'resources available upon request to help those who may be facing financial difficulties, including information on nearby organizations that can help with rent assistance.' But will these resources really help residents who still can't afford the lot rent? Read more: You're probably already overpaying for this 1 'must-have' expense — and thanks to Trump's tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here's how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now There may be some hope by way of House Bill 613 (Mobile Home Park Lot Tenancies) — a piece of Florida legislation enacted last July. The bill means that mobile home owners and park owners can go to mediation over any lot rent disputes. Until the dispute has been submitted, no civil action can be taken against residents or park owners. However, State Representative Paula Stark who drafted the bill says that some owners of mobile parks have been enacting strategies to get out of the mediation process. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is also working with her to determine what loopholes exist in the current legislation, and how these can be remedied. She also introduced House Bill 701, meant to help mobile home owners pay for rent through financial assistance provided by their municipal government. Unfortunately, that bill didn't pass this legislative session in the Senate after moving through the House. Increasing rent costs are a challenge, but you have several strategies available to you. Depending on your relationship with your landlord, you can begin by trying to negotiate with them. Perhaps you could ask them to delay the increase so you have a longer runway to prepare for the incoming hit to your budget. You can also suggest a compromise on the rate, to arrive at a rent amount that works for both of you. Of course, this does require you to adjust your budget at some point, as your housing costs will undoubtedly eat up more of your income (this is unfortunately a trend with housing elsewhere too). Emphasize that there is value in the track record you've established thus far — consistent and timely payments, following lease terms, caring for the property and its upkeep, communicating well and maintaining a positive standing within the community and management. There are plenty of examples of tenants causing problems for their landlords, so demonstrating your trustworthiness can serve you. If your building is rent-controlled or needs to adhere to certain rules, be sure to take the time to understand what rights you have. Reach out to the appropriate housing authorities if you need assistance or push for mediation. One mobile home community in Littleton, Colorado even banned together to fight a new corporate purchase with their own $18 million counter offer, turning their homes into a 'family business.' Exploring other housing may help yield other viable options for you, especially if you're on a fixed income or unable to increase the amount you earn. Consider renting in other areas or living with a friend or other family members to help control costs, if you absolutely need to go this route. 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 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
County resistance plagues Indiana renewable push
Opposition in rural counties is a major reason behind the lack of solar progress in the state. (Getty Images) Misinformation, myths and politics have contributed to Indiana's lack of a cohesive, statewide policy on renewable energy. Seventy-two of 92 counties have moratoriums or bans on such installations, according to legislative energy head Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso. Several attempts this year to intervene against blockages died, but lawmakers are starting to recognize the need for diversification. 'As long as there's demand for renewables, if we can't have them here, we'll buy it from somewhere else – our folks will be paying the transmission costs plus the possibility of more,' said Soliday. He said organized anti-renewable energy movements travel the state, attending county commissioners' meetings, adding that they 'can be quite unkind, threatening and so forth.' While debate continues, the price of electricity is rising in Indiana. Once among the lowest in the United States, the state now ranks 28th for cost. Decatur County resident and farm owner Albert Armand emphasized he's not against solar, but concerned about preserving valuable farmland. 'My view on these solar installations is that there's a place for them and the best place is not a corn field,' he said. 'We have a lot of ground we could use. We can put solar panels on roofs, over parking lots — if we install these on farm ground we're going to eliminate a lot of crop acres.' Larry Heger is another Decatur County resident who helps manage a Facebook group — Decatur County Citizens Stop Industrial Solar & Wind — alongside his wife. He described himself as 'against solar taking out good-quality farm ground.' As an elected Republican in a conservative area that votes 78% Republican, we don't want the green energy stuff in our county. – Ripley County Commissioner Mark Horstman Heger's group is primarily local landowners who, he said 'would live across the road from one of the projects' and are 'very concerned about their landscape, how it affects their home value.' He claims he's encountered 'like, less than a dozen' people supportive of renewable energy in Decatur County. Heger believes they're the landowners 'who signed the lease.' While Decatur County has discussed a solar-specific ordinance, it's currently under a moratorium. County Commissioner Jeremy Pasel, a Republican, declined to be interviewed. Opposition brings likely end to Indiana utility siting bill, but the issue isn't going away Nearby Ripley County approved solar energy regulations last year. County Commission President Mark Horstman said the three-person body felt their county needed its own standards. 'We had caught wind that some landowners had signed up for commercial solar and some neighbors were opposed. We realized we were set to have the state solar rules in place, because we didn't have our own,' he said. He said the area eyed for solar expansion was in the north part of the county, with a farm and housing development nearby. Horstman is among those who believe such installations lower property values. 'As an elected Republican in a conservative area that votes 78% Republican, we don't want the green energy stuff in our county,' Horstman continued. 'The people that elected me do not want it in our county. On the other side — we don't have the demographics or topographies for it. We don't have vast lots of land in our area.' 'So, you're basically telling somebody – your biggest investment you're ever going to make, your home, now you're going to look at solar panels across the street,' he said, citing a belief that the panels lower surrounding property values. 'I'm not opposed if they want to put a 1,000 acre solar farm in the middle of 5,000 acres and two people live there, that's fine, but we don't have that type of area in Ripley County.' Ripley County's ordinance, Horstman believes, gives landowners room to negotiate while still requiring specific setback distances. 'I understand people have rights to do what they want on their land, but you don't have a right to put confined feeding in a residential area, there's rules in place,' and renewable energy should be handled similarly, he said. He said he personally felt the ordinance should be more stringent but the three commissioners negotiated a compromise. Indiana Citizens Action Coalition Executive Director Kerwin Olson thinks these types of ordinances are holding Indiana back. 'We can't seem to get legislation passed in any way, shape or form to encourage or incentivize clean, renewable energy,' he said. 'Economics and technology are certainly not standing in the way. The barriers are political, and the barriers are the will to move away' from non-renewables. 'Of course, the utilities themselves and the fossil fuel industry — they have enormous influence in Congress and statehouses across the country,' he continued. Olson and other renewable advocates say Indiana needs to diversify its energy portfolio to both reduce prices and eliminate fossil fuels. Several have pointed to White County as a leader. The county currently has commercial wind and solar facilities, plus hydroelectric dams. Its exploration of commercial wind began in 2007. Leaders reviewed ordinances and added language where needed. But, 'it wasn't really the county that was pursuing this,' Republican Commission President Mike Smolek said. 'It was the local farmers that were pursuing this.' 'The commissioners before me did their due diligence,' continued Smolek. 'They went to California, Arizona, Texas' to see how renewable energy worked in those areas and what could be done to enhance road use agreements and other items.' My biggest fight these last couple years has been fear and Facebook. – White County Commissioner Mike Smolek The county's first commercial wind facility launched in 2008. The county approved the construction of a large-scale commercial solar facility in September 2024, according to WFLI. But resistance to commercial solar and battery storage — plus, plenty of myths and misconceptions — has surged in recent years, per Smolek. 'My biggest fight these last couple years has been fear and Facebook,' he said. 'You don't, as a normal, general citizen, get to see these things in operation, don't understand it — they don't know what's going on,' he added. 'And then you get people on Facebook that talk about stuff they don't really know about. Trying to get everybody on the same page, (give them) the knowledge that you know and teach them about it is a big thing.' The prospect of small modular nuclear reactors have also prompted anxiety, Smolek said. White County Commissioner Mike Smolek 'It's human nature to be afraid,' Smolek said. 'All we can do is educate ourselves and figure out what's best for us. The deciding factor is, we know we need power. Everybody depends on it. Every manufacturer, every household, every business all depends on this same grid.' That's among Olson's top two reasons why he says rural communities should consider renewable installations: Indiana's currently an energy importer. 'There's absolutely no reason we don't want to build more energy in-state and be energy independent. That's good for everybody – it brings down prices,' and lowers consumers' electric bills, he continued. With renewable energy, Olson said, you get an energy source 'that is not reliant on a fuel source and all the additional costs and volatility that come along with purchasing coal, purchasing gas, purchasing oil — in the markets, operation and maintenance on the fossil fuel power plants.' But number one is the revenue. Renewable energy, he said, provides income for schools, roads, parks and more. It brings jobs to the community. The other main reason: 'We are an importer of energy right now,' Olson said. 'There's absolutely no reason we don't want to build more energy in-state and be energy independent. That's good for everybody – it brings down prices,' and lowers consumers' electric bills, he continued. With renewable energy, Olson said, you get an energy source 'that is not reliant on a fuel source and all the additional costs and volatility that come along with purchasing coal, purchasing gas, purchasing oil — in the markets, operation and maintenance on the fossil fuel power plants.' He acknowledged that studies on the impact to property values haven't been conclusive. But he dismissed concerns about soil and farmland as 'completely junk science — if you talk to Farm Bureau, the Purdue (University) agriculture folks.' 'Nobody … is saying we're going to be 100% wind or 100% solar,' he continued. 'When you invest — you want a diverse portfolio. We (similarly) want a combination of all resources to ensure reliability, ensure resiliency to shelter ratepayers from the risk of being reliant on one source alone.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Netflix stock has been nearly unscathed by Trump tariffs. Some think it could be Silicon Valley's version of Johnson & Johnson
Consumer staple stocks tend to perform well in a recession as customers continue to buy essentials. While Netflix could see its subscriber numbers drop during a downturn, some bulls suggest the streaming service might be one of the last things people are willing to give up when their wallets get lighter. President Donald Trump's chaotic tariff rollout has wreaked havoc on the stock market, but an investor all in on Netflix might not have noticed. While the benchmark S&P 500 index has fallen over 10% this year, Netflix shares have risen more than 8% in that span, even after the stock pared its gains when the broader market went into free fall earlier this month. One obvious reason the stock has fared well: Tariffs on goods don't directly impact a streaming service. And while subscriptions could take a hit during a recession, the company's dominance in a notoriously competitive industry has some analysts considering whether Netflix might be Silicon Valley's version of Johnson & Johnson—a consumer staple that can perform well even when its customers' wallets get much lighter. Or, as Edward Jones senior analyst Dave Heger put it, Netflix might occupy the space cable TV held before the advent of cord cutting. While consumers may cut back on going to restaurants, movie theaters, or concerts when times get tough, he said, they tend to keep watching TV. 'I think Netflix may have, kind of, that resilience in a downturn,' he said. As recession fears mount on Wall Street, Netflix management is still setting ambitious long-term goals. The company aims to more than double its market capitalization to $1 trillion by 2030, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday, and join a club currently occupied by just eight companies around the world. To get there, Netflix believes it can double its revenue and triple its operating income in just under five years. Those are lofty goals, Heger said. Still, stockholders have been richly rewarded for betting on the company, with the value of their holdings increasing nearly 30% year over year in the past decade, compared with annualized gains of about 10% for the S&P in that span. 'You can't really underestimate them if you look at how much of a disrupter they've been in the industry,' Heger said of Netflix management, 'and the amount of success the company has had so far.' Tariff uncertainty has made its mark on earnings season, with many companies pulling or significantly downgrading their forward guidance. United Airlines even offered two different sets of benchmarks for the rest of the year depending on whether the U.S. economy either weakens but remains stable or enters a full-on recession. However, if Netflix can affirm or raise its guidance when it releases earnings after market close Thursday, it could distinguish itself from companies struggling to deal with not just tariffs but also relatively high interest rates, said Brian Mulberry, a director and client-portfolio manager at Zacks Investment Management. He made the comparison to Johnson & Johnson. 'This is a key moment for the management team to show strength,' he said. Heger said he wouldn't necessarily be surprised if management decides to strike a cautious tone, but tariffs are likely not the looming problem for Netflix they are for companies in many other industries. As with online advertising for Amazon and Meta, it seems as if Netflix's revenue streams should remain unaffected for now. One thing that could change that is if countries, particularly in the European Union, raise taxes on digital services to retaliate against U.S. tariffs, Heger said. While America is a net exporter in this category, the levies have been a target of Trump's ire since his first term. Netflix might indirectly benefit, however, from an apparent flight of capital out of the U.S. as the dollar weakens, Heger said. The dollar's strength before the tariff upheaval has weighed on revenue from abroad, where the company is finding most of its new subscribers. Meanwhile, the strength of Netflix's foreign-language programming is a major reason the company has a 'pretty good recipe' for continuing to grow revenue in an economic slowdown, Mulberry said. That's what happened during the initial economic shock at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he added, though people were admittedly stuck at home. 'Will consumers still pay their subscriptions and binge-watch their shows?' Mulberry said. 'That's going to be, I think, the most important question that we don't have the answer to.' Bulls believe Netflix is one of the last things consumers would be willing to give up. This story was originally featured on
Associated Press
07-02-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
BROCK HEGER AND RZR FACTORY RACING DETHRONE THE COMPETITION WITH DOMINANT OVERALL WIN AT KING OF THE HAMMERS UTV HAMMERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Heger Makes History Securing the Ultimate Off-Road Racing Triple Crown with Wins at the 2024 Baja 1000, 2025 Dakar Rally, and Both King of the Hammers Desert Challenge and UTV Hammers Championship MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday in the Johnson Valley desert, RZR Factory Racing's Brock Heger didn't just win the King of the Hammers (KOH) UTV Hammers Championship—he dominated. Fresh off his wire-to-wire victory at the Desert Challenge less than a week prior, Heger was in a league of his own behind the wheel of his rock-ready RZR Pro R Factory, securing the overall win as the only driver to finish in under four hours while crossing the line an astonishing 26 minutes ahead of the next physical competitor. By continuing his relentless winning streak, Heger secured the ultimate off-road Triple Crown, a feat no other driver has achieved, by adding this latest triumph to his historic wins at the 2024 Baja 1000 and 2025 Dakar Rally. Once again, Heger has made one thing clear—when it comes to the toughest challenges in off-road racing, no one does it better than Polaris. Heger started the race from the second line after qualifying third, and once the green flag waved, it was clear that this would be another commanding performance. Much like his earlier Desert Challenge victory, Heger quickly surged into the lead and never looked back. Setting a blistering pace from the start, he had already stretched out a nearly 2-minute lead by mile 50. Heger's strategy was clear: get out front in the desert portion of the race to position himself perfectly for the intense rock sections ahead, and he executed it flawlessly. There were only two brief moments where he encountered slight hang-ups in the rock section, but after his co-driver quickly assessed the situation, Brock chose not to use his winch. Instead, he relied on his skill and experience to overcome the obstacles and get back on track, losing minimal time in the process. Once clear, Heger drove easily uncontested to the finish line. Throughout the entirety of the 3-hour and 57-minute race, Heger's RZR Pro R Factory withstood everything the challenging KOH course threw at it, showcasing the true strength and durability of the platform. In fact, unlike his competition, Heger was able to save valuable time by not pitting for fuel throughout the entire race, thanks to the RZR Pro R Factory's 130L fuel cell. 'I'm stoked to come away with another win and to put Polaris back on top, especially during this UTV Hammers event,' said Heger. 'This was the hardest King of the Hammers I've done, but it was so much fun. My RZR Pro R Factory performed flawlessly all day, and overall, our day went very smoothly. I almost used the winch a couple of times, but it was taking too long, so I just sent it and it worked out. I can't thank the entire Polaris team enough. We have so many great people behind us, and it truly takes a team effort to make something like this happen.' 'What another incredible performance by Brock,' said Alex Scheuerell, RZR Factory Racing Technical Director. 'Over the past few months, Brock has solidified himself as a legendary name in off-road racing. To watch him dominate at the King of the Hammers UTV Hammers Championship, is truly exciting, especially for someone so young and talented. The Gen 1 RZR Pro R Factory that Brock drove has been specially modified and reinforced to tackle today's rock course, and it's clear that the vehicle continues to be unmatched. Brock's racing expertise and his ability to adapt to the most challenging terrains, combined with the unbeatable performance of the Pro R Factory, is what makes him a force to be reckoned with.' Heger and the rest of the RZR Factory Racing team will be back in action in one month at the Mint 400 in Las Vegas, NV, March 5-9, 2025. For more information on the RZR Pro R Factory, which was recently released for purchase, please visit To learn more about Polaris Off Road and RZR products, please visit or join the conversation and follow on Facebook sm, Instagram sm, YouTube sm and X sm. About Polaris As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER, RZR and Polaris XPEDITION and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves nearly 100 countries across the globe.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BROCK HEGER AND RZR FACTORY RACING DETHRONE THE COMPETITION WITH DOMINANT OVERALL WIN AT KING OF THE HAMMERS UTV HAMMERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Heger Makes History Securing the Ultimate Off-Road Racing Triple Crown with Wins at the 2024 Baja 1000, 2025 Dakar Rally, and Both King of the Hammers Desert Challenge and UTV Hammers Championship MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday in the Johnson Valley desert, RZR Factory Racing's Brock Heger didn't just win the King of the Hammers (KOH) UTV Hammers Championship—he dominated. Fresh off his wire-to-wire victory at the Desert Challenge less than a week prior, Heger was in a league of his own behind the wheel of his rock-ready RZR Pro R Factory, securing the overall win as the only driver to finish in under four hours while crossing the line an astonishing 26 minutes ahead of the next physical competitor. By continuing his relentless winning streak, Heger secured the ultimate off-road Triple Crown, a feat no other driver has achieved, by adding this latest triumph to his historic wins at the 2024 Baja 1000 and 2025 Dakar Rally. Once again, Heger has made one thing clear—when it comes to the toughest challenges in off-road racing, no one does it better than Polaris. Heger started the race from the second line after qualifying third, and once the green flag waved, it was clear that this would be another commanding performance. Much like his earlier Desert Challenge victory, Heger quickly surged into the lead and never looked back. Setting a blistering pace from the start, he had already stretched out a nearly 2-minute lead by mile 50. Heger's strategy was clear: get out front in the desert portion of the race to position himself perfectly for the intense rock sections ahead, and he executed it flawlessly. There were only two brief moments where he encountered slight hang-ups in the rock section, but after his co-driver quickly assessed the situation, Brock chose not to use his winch. Instead, he relied on his skill and experience to overcome the obstacles and get back on track, losing minimal time in the process. Once clear, Heger drove easily uncontested to the finish line. Throughout the entirety of the 3-hour and 57-minute race, Heger's RZR Pro R Factory withstood everything the challenging KOH course threw at it, showcasing the true strength and durability of the platform. In fact, unlike his competition, Heger was able to save valuable time by not pitting for fuel throughout the entire race, thanks to the RZR Pro R Factory's 130L fuel cell. "I'm stoked to come away with another win and to put Polaris back on top, especially during this UTV Hammers event," said Heger. "This was the hardest King of the Hammers I've done, but it was so much fun. My RZR Pro R Factory performed flawlessly all day, and overall, our day went very smoothly. I almost used the winch a couple of times, but it was taking too long, so I just sent it and it worked out. I can't thank the entire Polaris team enough. We have so many great people behind us, and it truly takes a team effort to make something like this happen." "What another incredible performance by Brock," said Alex Scheuerell, RZR Factory Racing Technical Director. "Over the past few months, Brock has solidified himself as a legendary name in off-road racing. To watch him dominate at the King of the Hammers UTV Hammers Championship, is truly exciting, especially for someone so young and talented. The Gen 1 RZR Pro R Factory that Brock drove has been specially modified and reinforced to tackle today's rock course, and it's clear that the vehicle continues to be unmatched. Brock's racing expertise and his ability to adapt to the most challenging terrains, combined with the unbeatable performance of the Pro R Factory, is what makes him a force to be reckoned with." Heger and the rest of the RZR Factory Racing team will be back in action in one month at the Mint 400 in Las Vegas, NV, March 5-9, 2025. For more information on the RZR Pro R Factory, which was recently released for purchase, please visit To learn more about Polaris Off Road and RZR products, please visit or join the conversation and follow on Facebooksm, Instagramsm, YouTubesm and Xsm. About Polaris As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER, RZR and Polaris XPEDITION and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves nearly 100 countries across the globe. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Polaris Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
