More From The Periphery Of The Foreclosure Crisis

The following links lead to an assortment of stories related to foreclosures from around the country:

• Gillette man found guilty for threatening letters: A Gillette, Wyoming man was found guilty of 6 counts for threatening a federal judge and other officials over the seizure of his home. Prosecutors say Laurence Eustelle Wolff in August sent threatening letters to a judge, a federal prosecutor, an IRS official and a sheriff. The letters threatened the four with a deadly standoff if anyone tried to seize his home. Court records alleged the 60-year-old didn't pay federal taxes between 1988 and 1995 and owed more than $613,000 in back taxes. In July, a judge ordered the foreclosure of Wolff's home to pay off the taxes.

• Man who killed self in standoff faced foreclosure, court records show: A Fredonia, Wisconsin man who killed himself after a five-hour standoff with police at his wife's home was "a very angry man" who was going through a divorce and, along with his wife, had just been foreclosed on the day before, court records show.

• Owners vandalizing homes after foreclosure: A Little Elm, Texas homeowner facing foreclosure reportedly got into a "cash for keys" bidding war with the foreclosing lender's representative. The owner turned down $2,000. On the day before the sale, the owner decided to take the cash. The lender's rep told him to take a hike - it was too late. The owner proceeded to vandalize the home.

• Local realtors help abandoned pets (Take steps to ensure "No Pet LeftBehind"): In West Springfield, Massachusetts, the "No Pet Left Behind" project created by local realtors is working in conjunction with the Animal Shelter Renovations to raise money to build a no-kill shelter in western Massachusetts. Their goal is to place the animals into permanent homes and to save the pets' lives. "These animals are being left behind in these abandoned homes to fend for themselves and in a lot of cases they're starving, dehydrated, sometimes they're being found dead. We are really trying to work hard to save these animals," said realtor April Cantell.

• Exotic birds fall prey to foreclosure crisis: In Seattle, Washington, a real estate agent discovers two bedraggled cockatiels nearly starved to death. Many owners try to take their exotic birds to an animal shelter but reportedly, the exotic birds are difficult to care for, and most shelters are not equipped to house birds because they are built to handle mainly dogs and cats, who are also being abandoned in large numbers because of foreclosures.

• Vacant home fires a ‘sign of the times’ (Home foreclosures could be behind increase in suspected arsons): Officials believe a Gainesville, Georgia vacant house fire, which melted vinyl siding on an occupied home next door, was caused by a human act. The two prevailing theories are that a homeless person or neighborhood kids started the fire, either intentionally or unintentionally. "This could be a sign of the times to come," Deputy Fire Chief Jerome Yarbrough said. He fears that with a deepening recession, more homes left vacant from foreclosures and evictions will be burned by vagrants or vandals. And when firefighters show up, they don’t always know if there are occupants who need rescuing. "I have concerns because this type of property fire here is the kind that gets firefighters hurt," Yarbrough said. "I expect to see more of these if the economy gets worse."

• Carbon monoxide victims living in foreclosed home expected to recover: All eight people poisoned by carbon monoxide from a gas generator running in a home near Redwood City, California where the power had been cut off are expected to recover, authorities said today. They were among 12 members of an extended family and friends who were renting in the home that authorities said was in foreclosure proceedings.

• Man admits to meth lab in vacant duplex: A man faces between 20 and 50 years in prison for breaking into a vacant duplex in Lafayette, Indiana and setting up a methamphetamine lab.

• Foreclosure vandalism on the rise: In Killeen, Texas, fire marshals suspect a group of vandals set a vacant home on fire. The suspects reportedly kicked down the front door of the foreclosed home, shattered the windows and set the living room floor on fire. According to Killeen fire marshals this isn't the first time a foreclosed home has been vandalized. Five foreclosed homes have been vandalized in Killeen this month.

• Tempe police keep watch on vacant homes in foreclosure: The foreclosure crisis has become so big even the Tempe, Arizona Police Department is now concerned. Patrol officers have been given a list of more than 300 foreclosed homes in the city. The patrol officers have been asked to keep an eye on the homes and to look for anything suspicious.

• Humane Society finding new homes for 54 horses: In Mt. Hope, Arkansas, there has been high interest in helping the Humane Society of North Central Arkansas find homes for the 54 horses from Scott Valley Dude Ranch, which is in foreclosure.