a. Fort Hood's 1st Cavalry Division is home !!
Click here: 1st Cavalry to read the full story.
b. Mortgage rates hit new low -
The Associated Press reported on April 13, 2012 that "The average rate on the 30 year fixed mortgage dropped near its all-time low this week, making home-buying and refinancing a bargain for those who can qualify".
c. New homes are often a better value than foreclosures -
The lower price of foreclosed homes can make them look like a bargain, but home buyers need to carefully compare the actual cost - and advantages - of a newly constructed home versus a foreclosed one before you buy. Many foreclosures are sold as-is with no disclosure requirements. You could be surprised with major repair bills for issues such as foundation faults or structural defects; unsafe wiring; rodent infestation; and more. A foreclosed home that appears to have been renovated may not have been done with the proper permits and inspections.
A brand-new home provides peace of mind for your family's safety because it has passed inspections and conforms to current building codes. Financing a new home is easier than financing a foreclosed home. Many builders offer incentives to reduce closing costs and can complete the closing quickly. Sometimes, it takes months to buy a foreclosed home.
d. Harker Heights has been accepted as a Tree City USA -
For the first time, the city has been accepted as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation and Texas Forest Service.
The award was presented to Harker Heights during an employee recognition ceremony Tuesday at City Hall. In December, the city applied for official Tree City USA status and created an advisory board. It is the first time the city has tried to join the organization.
To qualify for acceptance, the city had to meet four standards — establish a tree board, create a tree care ordinance, begin a community forestry program with an annual budget and sponsor an Arbor Day observance.
"Being a part of Tree City USA is an honor," said Mayor Mike Aycock. "We applied because we wanted to help beautify the city and bring awareness to the need for trees here. Now we'll be able to build on the message of Tree City USA and it will be part of our quality-of-life amenities in Harker Heights."
The Tree City USA Advisory Board was tasked with reviewing the city's tree management plan, promoting the protection of healthy trees, recommending guidelines for replacing damaged or dead trees, and educating the public about Arbor Day and the need for trees.
Cox said Killeen has been a member of Tree City USA for four years, and Fort Hood has participated for six years. Cox said trees are important to all communities, especially growing areas such as Harker Heights, because they reduce erosion, save energy, boost property values and decrease crime.
The city of Harker Heights is encouraging residents to plant 40 trees now through April 27 in honor of Arbor Day. Residents can pick up a free live oak or red maple tree seedling beginning Monday at the Harker Heights Activities Center, 400 Indian Trail.
e. Renovations increase useage of Killeen City Parks and Playgrounds -
"We still include old things, like swings, but we try to diversify each park and not do everything the same, said Brett Williams, Killeen's director of parks and recreation. "We call it the rebirth of the playground."
Killeen has identified three parks — Conder, Lions Club and Long Branch — as being community parks for the city's central, southern and northern areas, respectively. Williams said these larger parks are becoming more popular with residents. Another factor Williams mentioned is an increase in units from Fort Hood using the parks for physical training in the early morning. "We've had as many as 300 soldiers on the Andy K. Wells Hike and Bike Trail at once," he said. "(Using Killeen's parks) eliminates the difficulty of getting on base at 5 a.m. We've become the ideal place to do PT."
As the parks have evolved, the City of Killeen has diversified their approach and the opportunities in parks. Now you see hike and bike trails, which has been about as positive a development in our parks system as anything." The city currently has two such trails — the Andy K. Wells Hike and Bike Trail, which originates on 38th Street and continues for 2.5 miles along Nolan Creek, and the 1.3-mile Lions Club Park trail, which traverses the Lions Club Park complex, encompassing eight baseball and softball fields, aquatic center, family recreation center and Senior Center.
The City of Killeen hopes soldiers return with their families and enjoy the parks.
f. Heisman trophy winner graduated from Copperas Cove High School -
Long before the nation knew him as Heisman Favorite "RG3," Robert Griffin III created plenty of buzz at Copperas Cove High School. He began his high school years as a nationally recognized track athlete, and left as a Baylor-bound quarterback. Tracey Welch, the Bulldogs' current offensive coordinator, was the quarterback's coach during Griffin's high school careet. Welch said Griffin's freshman team didn't win a single district game, but before they were done, he and his classmates led Cove to two State Championship games their junior and senior seasons. Welch fondly remembers Griffin as a dedicated, hard-working athlete who would occasionally get his track workouts in before and after football practice. "To go home in the evening on the weekdays and see Robert running the hills or pulling tires, or backpedaling up hills that was a common occurrence" said Welch.
That tireless, tire-pulling work ethic also helped Griffin in the classroom. He graduated 7th in his senior class of 2008. His former teachers knew they had a special student-athlete in their respective classes. "To us, he's not 'RG3,' he's Robert, and he's a great kid, and he's a great student athlete...just an outstanding individual."
The town where Robert Griffin III played high school football got a chance to thank him for how well he represented the city Thursday night. Thousands showed up at Copperas Cove High School to celebrate with the Heisman trophy winner, including some big names like former AFL and NFL quarterback Cotton Davidson and Congressman John Carter. Former Baylor head coach Grant Teaff and his high school coach Jack Welch were also in attendance.
"To have the Heisman trophy winner of your town come back and speak to you I think speaks volumes for his character and the type of person that he is. And the town also wanted to celebrate hisfamily and celebrate with his family, so it was very special." said Welch.
RG3 received the key to the city and a proclamation from Congressman John Carter at the event.
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