HANNIBAL, Mo. (WGEM) -

When Hannibal building inspectors decided to walk the streets to look for code violations, a lot caught their eye.

From strange things like carpeted backyards, to collapsed porches.

The city ended up issuing 22 violation notices to property owners.

Kalisha Wear lives on Church Street next to one of the run down homes and she got fed up and called the city.

"It really actually needs to be torn ed down because the kids actually play in the yard," said Wear.

The city came out to the property and issued the owners a violation letter leaving them 30 days to take care of the porch or face a fine.

"I think it is getting a little worse. You know the economy has a lot to do with that. You know folks don't have enough money to take care of problems. Our city is pretty old. You know over 150 years old, so a lot of houses were built 100 years ago," said Hannibal building inspector Joey Burnham.

Burnham said they find out about many of the violations from neighbors like Wear.

"We get complaints plus we do patrol the streets to look at stuff like that but we do receive a lot of complaints," said Burnham.

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Hannibal building inspectors cracking down on code violations

Anyone looking for evidence that the economy is rebounding need look no further than neighbors' front porches. The increase in spending on Halloween decorations, as well as other Halloween-related accessories, suggests that "people overall are feeling a little bit better about their finances," says Kathy Grannis of the National Retail Federation (NRF).

[See The Real Source of Middle-Class Money Woes.]

Grannis says that optimism, combined with the growing popularity of the holiday itself, is why the NRF's recent consumer-spending survey found that more Americans will celebrate Halloween this year (71.5 percent versus last year's 68.6 percent) and they also plan to spend more on decorations, costumes, and candy ($79.82 versus last year's $72.31).

That uptick in Halloween-related spending mirrors other positive signs of consumer behavior, including consumer lending and self-reported data. And with consumers driving 70 percent of GDP, that's good news for the broader economy.

"We're seeing an uptick in consumer lending of almost 20 percent pretty consistently across lending categories," including auto lending and home equity loans, says Beverly Ladley, head of consumer lending at SunTrust. "Consumers are really starting to feel a little more settled, and comfortable borrowing again," she adds.

Consumers are also increasingly using home equity loans to make repairs or improvements, which Ladley says points to improved financial well-being. "[Clients] are starting to feel like they're on more solid ground, and they want to move forward," she says.

Indeed, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reports that the commercial banks and saving institutions it insures saw their total net income rise in the second quarter of 2012 to $34.5 billion, compared to $28.5 billion for the same quarter last year. The FDIC noted that those gains suggest "gradual but steady progress toward recovery."

[See 10 Smart Ways to Improve Your Budget.]

Meanwhile, the Conference Board announced last week that the Consumer Confidence Index improved in September after declining in August. "Consumers were more positive in their assessment of current conditions, in particular the job market, and considerably more optimistic about the short-term outlook for business conditions, employment, and their financial situation," the Conference Board reported in a statement.

Those findings echo an earlier survey from Citi, which found that Americans are feeling increasingly optimistic about the economy as compared to last year. While Americans still face economic uncertainty when it comes to the presidential election and federal tax policies for next year, there are fewer things to worry about than there were last year, says Jonathan Clements, director of financial education at Citi Personal Wealth Management. He adds that 2011 saw Standard & Poor's downgrade of U.S. Treasures, European bank concerns, and a heated Congressional debate about the debt ceiling.

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What Halloween Spending Says About the Economy

QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) -

Some front porches along Quincy's Maine Street are lit up in purple tonight. The idea is to get you thinking about people who are living a life of abuse. The Purple Light Night also commemorates October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Purple lights glow in the front yard of Quanada in Quincy - and while the bulbs might be pretty to look at, the issue they represent is much darker. Quanada representatives say that one in four women in America will experience domestic violence at some point in their lifetime,

In addition to the lights that glittered on the sidewalk and bushes, little posters representing domestic violence victims covered the front lawn - and not all of them are women.

"There are men that are serviced by Quanada as well, it's family violence, domestic violence, and there are men that are victimized in that way," says board member Bob Morwell. He says the campaign is for all victims - women, men, children and the elderly. Quanada executive director Megan Dusterhaus says the other purpose is to make sure the issue is at the forefront of your mind.

"After forty years of working to end violence, it can start to seem like - you know - we've done a lot of work and we've done a lot of good, and it's easy to get complacent," she said.

Dusterhaus says hundreds of domestic violence victims lose their lives at the hands of their abusers, and she hopes current victims will see the purple lights and found strength.

"I hope it gives them hope, and I hope it lets them know that there are people that care and that are willing to speak out," she says.

Quanada and the YWCA Quincy provide services for domestic abuse victims. Quanada offers counseling, legal andmedical advocacy, and emergency shelter. The YWCA offers supportive housing, financial literacy, racial justice, and youth development programs.

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"Light Up" Event Held at Quanada Tuesday Night

YARDLEY Year round outdoor dining could soon be coming to restaurants in the borough, but only if they have permanent covered porches.

The council voted on Sept. 18 to advertise a modification to its outdoor dining ordinance that would allow establishments, like the Continental Tavern and the newly-opened Trattoria Rosa Bianca, with permanently covered dining areas, to serve year round.

The ordinance currently limits outdoor dining in the borough to between April 1 and Nov. 15.

Under the change, eating establishments would be allowed to serve year round if they have a porch that is a permanent structure and attached to a building.

However, restaurants with outdoor dining on the sidewalk would not be permitted to serve outdoors between Nov. 15 and April 1 due to winter weather conditions.

Councilman Mike Ruttle, who chairs the councils community development committee, said when he proposed the modification he was thinking about sitting on the porch of the Continental and watching the ice skaters at Lake Afton.

Thats going to be an attractive place for people who bring their kids, he continued. They can sit there and get a cup of hot chocolate, Irish coffee, mulled wine whatever it is.

Ruttle said people can sit there and enjoy a winter ice skating scene and be able to do it in a very comfortable and relaxed setting.

He said that businesses like to think that government is in their way. Why should the borough care whether an owner of a restaurant is serving on a covered porch between Nov. 15 and April 1?

It really doesnt matter, Ruttle said. If its on a sidewalk and we have to keep the pedestrian way open and free from ice and slush and all of the rest in the winter -- that makes sense. Thats a public safety issue. Continued...

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Yardley Borough Council considers loosening outdoor dining restrictions

In gardens and on porches near and far, chrysanthemums are as iconic to the autumn season as pumpkins and cornstalks.

You can find them at just about any supermarket or garden center, and this time of year, they reach a crescendo at Toadflax Nursery in South Glens Falls.

The chrysanthemum, from Chrysous a Greek word for golden, and anthemon, meaning flower is a perennial introduced to Europe in the 17th century. It is a member of the Asteraceae family.

Toadflax owner Rich Morris said he gets bored with the general mums that are everywhere, so he carries at least 50 Belgian types, like allegro yellow, coparo pink, Milano white and conaco gold, known for their copious numbers of buds, unique color and flower shape, growing habits and resistance to disease.

Theres lots that goes into choosing them, Morris said. Were looking for a mum thats going to perform in the landscape.

If you choose to put them in a planter, you dont have to be limited to just one color or flower shape. Morris likes to mix them in complementary or contrasting blends or in any of a number of combinations with dwarf bidens; carex, Juncus or purple fountain grasses; heuchera, frost-hardy calibracoa and flowering kale plants.

He advised choosing mums based on their size, their height when mature and what you plan to mix with it.

Once the end of the season comes and your mums look tired in the container, pull them out and plant them in the ground rather than throw them out with your annuals so theyll come back next year. Just be sure to keep them watered and well mulched around the crown.

Allison Steele, a growers assistant at Toadflax, said the orange, reds, yellow and occasionally whites are traditionally hardy, but even the unconventional pinks, corals and purples might do well if they are placed in a sheltered location.

I just dont want to tell people that all varieties are perennials, because thats not absolutely the case. With a little help, a little love and a little attention, certainly they could make it that way, she said.

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For fall color, mum's the word

OXFORD, Miss., Sept. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tall pitchers of iced tea, front porches as long as Paula Deen's drawl and bustling town squares are a just a few of the iconic images often associated with the South. A new student housing development Highland Square taps into this rich heritage by providing Ole Miss students with an unparalleled living experience that preserves the sense of community for which the South and Mississippi is known.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110322/DA69574LOGO)

Student housing industry leaders and community officials broke ground for this new $40 million student housing project at ceremonies on Tuesday (Sept. 25). The occasion also marked the official unveiling of the development's name. Officials said the idea for the name came from Oxford's own town square, which has been a popular gathering place since the town's founding in 1837.

"Oxford and the University of Mississippi pride themselves on their rich heritage and the vibrancy of their community," said Andy Feinour, senior vice president of Carter. "We wanted to reflect that in not only the name we chose for the property but also in the way we designed it to instill a town square type of feel to the community's common areas."

Carter and Chance Partners are developing the property. Campus Advantage, a leading student housing company that manages 48 student housing communities spread across 20 states, will oversee the property.

Located less than two miles from the University of Mississippi, the 753-bed Highland Square is a master-planned student housing community in which cottages, flats and townhomes will make up the more than 100 buildings spread across 60 acres of Mississippi landscape and add to the 39 existing homes on site that already house students. Its centerpiece will be the Town Center where residents can enjoy a cup of coffee at Common Ground, exercise at the Iron Clad fitness center or simply hang out with friends. The Town Center will provide a sense of community rarely seen at student housing properties and is patterned after Oxford's popular Historic Downtown Square.

"When it comes to amenities and floor plans, University of Mississippi students have never had as many options as they will at Highland Square," said Mike Peter, CEO of Campus Advantage. "Today's college students demand more from where they live, and Highland Square delivers. Residents will benefit from our highly rated Students First residence life programs that will help them succeed in school as well as help them prepare for life after graduation."

The list of Highland Square's amenities is long and includes three pools, fitness trails, media center, individual cottage courtyards, community fireplaces, basketball and volleyball courts, a lawn with a stage and games, dog park, car wash/dog wash and media center.

With construction expected to be complete by July, Highland Square is already accepting leases for fall 2013. More information on the community may be found at http://www.livehighlandsquare.com

About Campus AdvantageCampus Advantage is an Austin-based real estate firm that offers student housing management, development, acquisition and consulting services. The company works to create winning partnerships between colleges, universities, investors, developers and owners in an effort to help students achieve their academic and personal goals. For additional information, please visit http://www.campusadv.com.

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New Oxford Community to Pair Small-Town Feel with Premium Amenities for Ole Miss Students

Fall is in the air and we're ready to see the colors of the new season on our porches and around the patio.

The last week of September and first week of October are generally the best weeks to freshen the containers and beds with brilliant fall color. The night-time temperatures are much cooler and there are fewer hours of daylight. With the hot days of summer behind, plants can now settle in without heat stress and their roots can take off to get set for winter.

Pansies and violas are the standbys of fall flowers and for good reason. They are hardy enough to bloom throughout the fall and even during the winter. Best yet, they'll be back early next season with bright spring color.

If you're a Bronco fan, make a porch container of pansies in team colors.

o Use a bright orange or blue container.

o Fill it with team-colored pansies

o On Bronco Sundays, poke in the team banner attached to a stick or dowel and show your support.

Other great fall bloomers are aster and mum. Find your favorite colors ranging from lavender and purple to soft and brilliant yellow to rust and bronze. Most asters and mums are perennials you can plant this fall and enjoy for years to come.

Don't forget foliage for fall combos

Foliage adds drama when included with flowers because of the deep shades and texture that make these primarily foliage plants distinctive. Incorporate ornamental kale, sedum, coral bells and ornamental grasses into containers and beds alike. The deep hues and texture of the foliage will backstop flowering plants and make their color pop.

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Vail Landscape Logic column: Pitch the petunias and plant some pansies

Fall is in the air and we're ready to see the colors of the new season on our porches and around the patio.

The last week of September and first week of October are generally the best weeks to freshen the containers and beds with brilliant fall color. The nighttime temperatures are much cooler and there are fewer hours of daylight. With the hot days of summer behind, plants can now settle in without heat stress and their roots can take off to get set for winter.

Pansies and violas are the standbys of fall flowers and for good reason. They are hardy enough to bloom throughout the fall and even during the winter. Best yet, they'll be back early next season with bright spring color.

If you're a Bronco fan, make a porch container of pansies in team colors.

> Use a bright orange or blue container.

> Fill it with team-colored pansies

> On Bronco Sundays, poke in the team banner attached to a stick or dowel and show your support.

Other great fall bloomers are aster and mum. Find your favorite colors ranging from lavender and purple to soft and brilliant yellow to rust and bronze. Most asters and mums are perennials you can plant this fall and enjoy for years to come.

Don't forget foliage

for fall combos

See more here:
Garber: Pitch the petunias and plant some pansies

KUSA - Fall is in the air and we're ready to see the colors of the new season on our porches and around the patio. It's time to pitch the petunias and plant some fall color.

The last week of September and first week of October are generally the best weeks to freshen the containers and beds with brilliant fall color. The nighttime temperatures are much cooler and there are fewer hours of daylight.

With the hot days of summer behind, plants can now settle in without heat stress and their roots can take off to get set for winter.

Pansies and their smaller cousins - violas - are standbys for fall flowers and for good reason. They are hardy enough to bloom throughout the fall and even during the winter. Best yet, they'll be back early next season with bright spring color.

New pansies this year are Lavender Plum and Mammoth Red. Combine these two for striking color - or mix them with contrasting shades.

If you're a Bronco fan, make a container full of pansies in team colors. On Broncos Sunday, drop in the team banner that's attached to a stick or dowel to show your support.

Other fall bloomers are asters and mums. They come in a variety of colors ranging from lavenders and purples to soft or brilliant yellows to rust and bronze. Most asters and mums are perennials that you can plant this fall and enjoy for years to come.

Don't forget to add foliage in fall combinations. Foliage adds drama when included with flowers because of the deep shades and texture that make these plants distinctive. Incorporate ornamental kale, sedum, coral bells and ornamental grasses into containers and beds alike. Their deep hues and texture will backstop flowering plants and make their color pop. Information courtesy Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado - sponsors of the 9NEWS Kitchen Garden and the 9NEWS Water Wise Garden. For help with your landscape needs, go to http://www.alcc.com and click on Find a Pro.

(KUSA-TV 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)

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Gardening: Planting fall colors

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It's not quite a return to Norman Rockwell's Americana, but the rise in the number of new homes with porches hints at a shift in the way more Americans want to live: in smaller houses and dense neighborhoods that promote walking and social interaction.

Two-thirds of new homes built in 2011 had a porch, a trend that has been on a steady rise for almost 10 years, according to a Census survey of construction. The pace of new homes with decks and patios -- more expensive construction that takes up more space, usually behind homes -- has flattened.

The share of new homes with front or rear porches has grown from 42 percent in 1992 to 65 percent in 2011, Census data show.

The data also show that the percentage of homes built without a garage or carport remains at its highest since the late 1990s. At the peak of the housing boom in 2004, 8 percent of new homes had no car shelter. It hit 13 percent in 2010 and 2011.

"It says something about density and something very positive about public transportation," says Stephen Melman, director of economic services for the National Association of Homebuilders, "if new construction is starting to be built closer to employment centers or transit."

"That's what the market wants," says Christopher Leinberger, a developer and a George Washington University professor.

A partner in Arcadia Land Co. outside Philadelphia, Leinberger says the firm is building mostly townhouses with porches in Sadsbury, Pa., because that's what buyers want.

"The front porch acts as a social mechanism," says Leinberger, also president of Smart Growth America's LOCUS, a national coalition of developers and investors who promote walking over driving. "You sit on the porch and talk to people walking by without having to invite them in. It's outdoor space without taking up too much space."

The desire for a more urban lifestyle is mounting as Baby Boomers become empty-nesters and Millennials, entering their late teens to early 30s, are sensitive to saving the environment and money.

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IT'S OFFICIAL: Nobody Wants A Home With A Garage Anymore