Author: Rich Prue

DES MOINES-  A Johnston man has been arrested following an investigation that uncovered an alleged scheme to defraud his insurance company over roof damage claims. Shawn Heuss, 46, was taken into custody on Thursday, October 30, 2025. He is charged with one count of Fraudulent Submission, one count of Second-Degree Theft, and one count of Second-Degree Fraudulent Practice, all Class D felonies. He was also arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear related to a previous charge involving an Animal at Large. According to criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, Heuss submitted an insurance…

(Newton, Mass., – Nov. 14, 2025) — The industry’s most anticipated annual event, METALCON 2025, took place last month in Las Vegas, bringing together professionals from across the globe for three days of education, innovation and networking. From pre-show workshops and certification programs to free educational sessions and inspiring keynotes, attendees earned continuing education credits while gaining actionable insight into the trends shaping the future of metal construction and design. Courage and Service: Clint Romesha Opens METALCON 2025 Clint Romesha, Medal of Honor recipient and bestselling author of Red Platoon, set the tone for the show with a moving keynote on…

(Newton, Mass., – Nov. 6, 2025)—Exhibitors at METALCON, the world’s only global event dedicated exclusively to the application of metal in design and construction, showcased their most groundbreaking innovations for consideration in the prestigious Top Products Award. The top three winning products were unveiled at this year’s show in Las Vegas. Winners were selected through an electronic voting process held both before and during the event, with nearly 1,000 industry professionals casting their votes. The 2025 METALCON Top Products Award winners are: First Place Company: Malco Tools, Inc. Category: Contractor Tools & Equipment Product: TurboShear® Rotary Panel Cutter (TSPC1) Malco…

COLUMBUS, OH-  The owner of a Columbus-based roofing company has been convicted of Workers’ Compensation Fraud after falsifying information on his Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) coverage application. According to the BWC’s Special Investigations Department, Dilmar Cesar Roblero Gomez, owner of Construction Tech Renovations, was ordered to pay over $24,000 in restitution after investigators discovered he was not accurately reporting his employees or payroll. The case began when the BWC received an anonymous tip alleging that Gomez was failing to report workers under his policy. Despite a prior audit that found similar issues, the report claimed Gomez continued to…

A Southwest Florida roofing contractor is once again in the spotlight — and this time, it’s not for rebuilding storm-damaged homes. Reife Petersen, owner of JKS Construction, has been arrested by state authorities for allegedly stealing nearly $1 million from homeowners and funneling the funds into personal luxuries instead of promised roofing projects. Multiple homeowners have come forward expressing both relief and frustration following Petersen’s latest arrest. They say the legal action is overdue but doesn’t undo the financial and emotional damage left behind. One woman, who hired JKS Construction after Hurricane Ian,  said she paid over $31,000 for roof…

As a professional roofer, you know your reputation is your most valuable asset. But in a crowded market, how do you instantly prove your integrity to a homeowner?The answer for a growing number of top-tier contractors is The Good Contractors List. Unlike open directories, The Good Contractor’s List is a highly curated platform that doesn’t just list contractors—it vets and backs them.The Good Contractors List was founded in 2011 by John Stewart Hill. His mission was born from a desire to improve trust in the industry by creating a model of accountability and personal vetting. Starting in Dallas–Fort Worth, Hill…

In Memoriam: Angelo Borzillo (1933–2025) Co-Inventor of GALVALUME® Leaves Enduring Legacy in the Metal Construction Industry The global metal construction community is mourning the passing of Angelo “Ange” Borzillo, the co-inventor of GALVALUME® coated steel and a 2022 inductee into the Metal Construction Hall of Fame. Borzillo passed away recently on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at the age of 92, leaving behind a transformative legacy that continues to shape the steel and metal building industries worldwide. More than half a century ago, while working at Bethlehem Steel in Pennsylvania, Borzillo and his colleague Jim Horton set out to improve upon…

JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA — Authorities are investigating a burglary at Treasure Coast Square mall that saw thieves cut through the roof of a sporting goods store and make off with tens of thousands of dollars in shoes. Deputies from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Champs Sports store just after 9 a.m. on Oct. 21. A worker opening the store around 8:45 a.m. discovered a large number of shoe boxes missing and, upon further inspection, noticed a gaping hole in the ceiling leading to the roof. Investigators believe the burglary occurred sometime between midnight Oct. 20 and…

BANGOR, ME– A dispute that has stretched for nearly a year over a roof in Bangor’s Broadway Historic District ended Thursday when the city’s Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a homeowner’s asphalt roof that mimics slate. Steven Farren, who owns a home built between 1850 and 1864, had replaced his deteriorating slate roof earlier this year with asphalt shingles resembling slate, despite previous denials from the city. The board’s vote granted retroactive approval, concluding that requiring Farren to install a new slate roof would be unreasonably burdensome. Commission chair Edmund Chernesky acknowledged the importance of preserving slate roofs but said the…

LEXINGTON, KY– A Fayette Circuit Court judge has ordered the assets of a Lexington roofing company owner frozen after his business left hundreds of customers with unfinished or unstarted roof repairs totaling more than $2 million. Judge Dianne Minnifield issued the ruling Thursday against Brad Pagel, the former owner of Lexington Blue Roofing, and his wife. The order prevents the couple from accessing their bank accounts and other financial assets. Lexington Blue Roofing abruptly shut down in April, leaving homeowners who had paid deposits without completed work. According to court filings, the company collected nearly $400,000 in the year before…