A paramedic said a strike by his union had no impact on his decision to refuse to attend to a man who was dying of a heart attack for more than 35 minutes while waiting for police backup.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1131708

Toronto Police have charged a man with performing indignity to the dead body of a woman found rolled up in a carpet in a Junction laneway earlier this month.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132523

The impaired driving trial of former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive continued in a Newmarket court Thursday, with a well-known former NHL star taking the stand in defense of his former teammate.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132502

According to estimates from builders, most roofing systems are designed to last 15 to 20 years. In other words, whether your roof is constructed from asphalt, tile, clay, metal or slate, it is fair on your part to expect durable service from it in all weather conditions. However, this does not mean that your roof is maintenance-free. No matter how good the quality of the construction and weather protection, it is essential that you examine your roof for signs of damage once every year, preferably during spring.

The most potent and persistent threat to any roof is water. If you live in a region that gets moderate to heavy rainfall, or snow in the winters, you need to check for water damage every year. See if there is seepage in the walls of your attic, or if there are any damp patches. Also, check for leaks. If you observe any trouble, get in touch with a roofing expert in your neighborhood. It may be time to get your roof sealed and waterproofed all over again.

Other than water damage, black streaks and discoloration is something you should always watch out for. If there are discolored patches on your roof surface, it probably means that mold, fungus or algae have begun to develop. This may happen in portions of your roof that are constantly exposed to moisture and shade, and it generally also indicates poor ventilation in your roof system. Once again, it is essential to call in the professionals before the problem spreads. They will need to examine the ventilation, and perhaps even install roof protector strips.

Finally, you must also keep your eyes open for damaged and broken shingles or tiles which can be a risk on days when there are strong winds blowing or there’s an exceedingly violent storm. Have them replaced by calling roofing professionals. Overhanging branches from nearby trees can also be a threat. They should be pruned till they are no longer hanging over your roof, but are a safe distant from it.

In the end, there’s no getting away from regular inspection. By identifying problems before they escalate into full blown emergencies you are able to save yourself a lot of worries, hassles, time, and effort, not to mention hundreds of dollars you would have to spend to rectify the problem. And when you are getting help for your roofing problems, be sure to contact only reliable and competent professionals who will deliver great services and provide good value for your money.

You don’t have to spend hours on the Web looking for information about Toronto Roofing company.

500 charges in alleged Toronto and Niagara car scam ring laid by joint investigation dubbed “Project Enterprise.”

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132466

Veteran radio reporter Jim Curran announces he’ll be retiring from CBC at the end of March.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132238

A Toronto artist’s painting is listed on eBay at a price cheekily tagged to Ford’s opposition to the bag tax.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1131462

Here’s how our absurdly warm winter may affect everything from geese to greenery.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132161

The University of Western Ontario has scrapped two days of voting for its student president, a position worth $39,000, because of allegations of vote rigging.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132162

Veteran radio reporter Jim Curran announces he’ll be retiring from CBC at the end of March.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1132238