Author: Rich Prue

ROCHESTER, MN– An Illinois man accused of posing as a roofing contractor to burglarize Olmsted County homes appeared in court Thursday. Andy Bimbo, 35, of North Chicago, is charged in Olmsted County District Court with two felony counts of aiding and abetting first-degree burglary. According to the criminal complaint, a group of men posed as roofers in May and gained access to at least two homes by claiming the roofs needed repair. While one suspect distracted homeowners, others searched through drawers and personal belongings, stealing cash and accessing sensitive documents. On May 30, Olmsted County deputies were called to two…

REVERE, Mass.– A worker has died after falling from the roof of a building on Payson Street in Revere on Tuesday, authorities said. According to the Revere Fire Department, the man was performing repairs late in the morning when he fell three stories. Emergency crews rushed him to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden confirmed. The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of family. Officials said there is no indication of foul play. Hayden described the incident as a tragic workplace accident and offered condolences to the man’s loved ones…

JACKSONVILLE, FL– A Jacksonville-based roofing company is facing lawsuits across Florida after being accused of deceptive sales tactics that have left homeowners with inflated bills, liens, and foreclosure threats. The company, Florida Roof Specialists, is alleged to have targeted homeowners following storms by offering inspections and roof replacements under assignment of benefits agreements. These agreements transferred homeowners’ insurance claim rights directly to the contractor. In one case, a Citrus County homeowner signed such an agreement believing she would only be responsible for her insurance deductible. After the roof was replaced, she and her insurer received a bill for nearly $30,000.…

ATLANTA–  The Atlanta City Council has approved a groundbreaking ordinance requiring new roofs to meet high solar reflectance standards, making the city a national leader in efforts to fight urban heat and its health impacts. With the passage of Ordinance 25-O-1310, authored by District 5 Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari, Atlanta will now mandate reflective roofing materials on new construction and roof replacements. The measure is designed to lower temperatures, reduce energy costs, improve public health, and cut carbon emissions. Councilmember Bakhtiari said the legislation was written with Atlanta’s most at-risk residents in mind. “This decisive action is about one thing: Responsibility.…

IntroductionWhen it comes to replacing your roof, Owens Corning’s TruDefinition® Duration shingles and CertainTeed’s Landmark® Pro shingles are two heavyweight contenders in the asphalt roofing world. Both are architectural (dimensional) shingles with lifetime warranties, designed to mimic the rich look of wood shakes while protecting homes in all kinds of climates. In this guide, we’ll compare Duration and Landmark Pro in detail- from their construction features (like nailing strip design) to performance in extreme weather, warranty coverage, pricing, and what real contractors and homeowners have to say. Whether you’re a homeowner seeking the best roof for your climate or a…

DES MOINES, Iowa — A federal judge has upheld Iowa’s restrictions preventing roofers and other contractors from negotiating directly with insurance companies on behalf of homeowners, siding with state regulators in a closely watched case. Under Iowa law, contractors may perform repair work but cannot act as public adjusters- licensed professionals who assist homeowners in filing claims and negotiating settlements with insurers. The distinction, officials argue, protects consumers and maintains accountability in the claims process. In 2024, the Iowa Insurance Division intensified enforcement against contractors accused of overstepping their role. The division issued more than 70 warning letters and at…

FORT PIERCE, FL. — The trial of Ryan Wesley Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate Donald J. Trump on a Florida golf course last year, came to a dramatic conclusion Tuesday when Routh tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen moments after being convicted. “Dad, don’t hurt yourself,” his daughter, Sara, cried out as bailiffs rushed to restrain Routh and remove him from the courtroom. Minutes later, Routh was brought back in handcuffs to finish proceedings. No blood was visible on his white shirt, and he appeared unharmed. His son, Adam, called out, “We love you, Dad,”…

LIVERMORE, CA– A federal court has ordered a Northern California roofing contractor to pay nearly $2 million in back wages and damages after investigators found the company failed to properly compensate its workers for overtime. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California approved a consent judgment requiring Northern California Nail Co. Inc. and its owners to pay $1,943,685 to 158 employees. The order follows a U.S. Department of Labor investigation that determined the company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by not paying roofers time-and-a-half for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Investigators also found…

WILTON MANORS, FLORIDA- A 23-year-old roofer died after falling from the top of a five-story building in Wilton Manors, police said. Wilton Manors Police said officers responded around 9 a.m., Thursday, to the 2600 block of Northeast 14th Avenue, where the man had fallen from the rooftop. Emergency crews with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue transported him to Broward Health Medical Center, where he later died. The victim’s name has not been released. As part of standard procedure, the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are conducting investigations into the incident.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA– A longtime employee of Platinum Roofing has been arrested after investigators say she embezzled more than $177,000 from the Rockledge-based company over a two-year period. Authorities identified the suspect as Christine Beasley, 49, of Titusville. Beasley, who had worked with Platinum Roofing for several years, is accused of manipulating payroll records, writing unauthorized checks, and misusing company credit cards between 2023 and 2024. According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Beasley inflated her hourly wage from the agreed $25 per hour to rates as high as $40. Despite being on salary, she also claimed overtime. In 2023, when…