contractor News

Fla. Appeals Court Narrows Going and Coming Rule in Work Comp

A Florida appeals court has put a fine point on the still-evolving “going and coming rule” in workers’ compensation law. The 1st District Court of Appeal found that a man injured on his way to a jobsite was not due …

Insurers Applaud Charges Against Fla. Contractors in ‘Free Roof’ Scheme

The recent arrest of two men associated with a large Florida roofing company, on charges of offering “free roofs” and rebates to cover homeowners’ insurance deductibles, has met with strong reactions around the state. The insurance industry has complained loudly …

After Ida Oil Spill, Divers Put Containment Dome on Pipeline

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The company overseeing the response to a large oil spill spurred by Hurricane Ida said Tuesday that a containment dome has been placed over a broken undersea pipeline, stemming the flow into the Gulf of Mexico. Houston-based …

Saudi Aramco Facing $50M Cyber Extortion Over Leaked Data

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant acknowledged Wednesday that leaked data from the company — files now apparently being used in a cyber-extortion attempt involving a $50 million ransom demand — likely came from one …

Revolutionary War Monument, Damaged by Derecho, Back on Pedestal

SPRINGVILLE, Iowa — A deteriorating Revolutionary War monument, which was damaged even more in the Aug. 10 derecho, has been restored and once again sits on its pedestal in the Springville Cemetery. For six years, local chapters of the Daughters …

State Takes Over Houston’s Harvey Home Repair Program

HOUSTON — All Houston resident Alice Torres has wanted in the three years since Hurricane Harvey hit was to repair her family’s flood-damaged home so her 85-year-old mother can feel safe and settled again. But when her mother, Dolores Torres, …

Attorney: Contractor Got $454K For ‘Pile Of Dirt’ at Church

STARKVILLE, Miss. — A judge has ruled that a Mississippi contractor will have to pay restitution after accepting more than $450,000 to build a church sanctuary but doing little work. Donald Crowther is owner of TCM Construction of Long Beach. …

City, Developer Clash Over Demolition Of Collapsed Hotel

NEW ORLEANS — Plans to demolish the Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans, which partially collapsed in October, remain in limbo as the city and developers disagree over how to safely bring down the structure. The hotel developer, 1031 Canal …

Feds Review Hurricane Irma Invoices From 3 Florida Cities

MIAMI — Three South Florida cities are being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General for “questionable invoices” and other documents submitted by consultants for reimbursement of debris cleanup from Hurricane Irma. The Federal Emergency Management …

City Paid for Neglect After Leaving Water System Vulnerable

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Eight years after shrinking its staff, Fort Lauderdale still doesn’t have the workers it needs to be sure a water line failure doesn’t leave the city dry the way it did last month. A contractor’s mistake …