A contractor left this Scarborough man without a roof. His insurance company is denying his claim

What began as a simple knock on the front door last spring has resulted in an elderly Scarborough man living out of a suitcase, his home roofless and in ruins. Police are now investigating a possible fraud, while the man's home insurance company has denied most of his claim. Lawrence Huang was approached in late May by representatives of a company called Super Dry Roofing and Masonry, who told him his roof was infested with rodents, seriously damaged, and in need of replacement. The 76-year-old, whom his niece Katie Semple describes as “on the spectrum,” signed a roof replacement contract and gave a salesman for the company a $25,000 advance on the $50,000 job. The contractor went to work, completely removing the roof of Huang’s two-storey Guildwood Parkway home, leaving the contents open to the elements. The kitchen of Lawrence Huang's home, four months after contractors left the job site, with the home's roof removed. TD Insurance has said it will cover the cost of the home's ruined contents, but not the structural damage. (Mike Smee/CBC)And the price began to rise. Semple says her uncle then handed over $1,800.

This election cycle, Rhode Island has an opportunity to strengthen its economy, support local businesses, and position itself for growth in industries that will shape the future. Businesses deciding where to invest are looking for the infrastructure and development-ready sites that will allow them to turn expansion plans into reality. If Rhode Island wants to compete for that investment, we need to be proactive. The economic development bond, which is Question 3 on this year’s ballot, presents an opportunity to make that preparation a priority. The proposed $100 million investment would support site development and infrastructure for the state’s fastest-growing industries, including the life sciences, the ocean economy, and defense manufacturing. It’s a chance to build on Rhode Island’s existing strengths while preparing for new opportunities across the state. Site readiness can make a meaningful difference when companies are choosing where to open or expand their business. Environmental remediation, utility installation, and infrastructure upgrades require time and resources, which, for many growing businesses, are often in short supply.

“We have worked closely with the city of Boston and neighborhood stakeholders to earn their support and approval for the development of 750 housing units — housing that is needed now, without further delay,” Copper Mill chief executive Andrew Flynn said in a statement. “We continue to believe strongly in the vision for this site and its importance to Boston residents.”A representative for Pactolus, which is based in Virginia, declined to comment. Representatives for Chicago-based POB did not return requests for comment. Court filings in the case detail a circuitous and bumpy path for a project that was started by the finance firms, taken over by Copper Mill, and then reconceived as a joint effort that the investors allegedly used to regain sole control of the site. Josh Zakim, a former Boston City Councilor and executive director of the housing advocacy group Housing Forward MA, called the dispute ill-timed, given the city’s broader development slowdown. “It’s a significant project, especially these days when there’s not a lot of developers even trying to do something of this size,” he said.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Police on Tuesday charged a driver with intentionally causing serious injury to an Australian federal lawmaker who is a critical condition after being struck by a car. A police statement said Brendan Nugent was charged with intentionally causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a federal official. Helen Haines, a 65-year-old independent politician, was in hospital in a critical but stable condition after being struck by a car outside her office in the city of Wangaratta in Victorian state on Monday, police said.