LOS ANGELES — For years, Parsons Corp. has profited from a steady stream of U.S. government contracts for everything from the disposal of hazardous weapons material to rebuilding hospitals, highways and other big-ticket infrastructure.

Led by a retired Army colonel, the low-profile engineering giant has remained under the radar of most public interest groups and oversight bodies to become a key player in the reconstruction of Iraq, with contracts worth about $2 billion.

But shoddy work recently prompted the U.S. Corps of Engineers to cancel its $75 million contract to renovate a critical police training academy in Baghdad. Parsons also lost deals to build a prison and dozens of medical clinics in that country after the government cited missed deadlines and cost problems.

Parsons said it has done the best work possible under the conditions in Iraq, where its reliance on subcontractors fearful of attacks has led to the delays and cost overruns.

Hooper Bay Revisited: Iowa Volunteer Shares Insights

HOOPER BAY, AK (October 23, 2006) - A fire that ravaged much of this small town on August 4 was the reason a parishioner of First Covenant Church in Mason City, Iowa, was headed to the cold tundra of Alaska. But the warmth and goodwill that was experienced over a three-week period was well worth whatever inconvenience that Bill Bowen may have encountered.Bowen was one of more than two dozen people involved in rebuilding the town of Hooper Bay after 14 homes, a store and the high school were destroyed last summer. In all, the group built five new homes for the village - population 1,100 - located in western Alaska on the Bering Sea. Bowen traveled to Alaska on September 14 and arrived home on October 10. His team worked from daylight (9 a.m.) until 7 p.m. six days each week, and the group invested an estimated 2,700 hours of volunteer labor during Bowen’s time in Alaska.Bowen’s trip was made possible through support provided by the church and individuals.

Porteaux Bay homeowners file charges against Florida contractor

ST. MARTIN -- Homeowners Mike Smith and Mark Nordrum considered it a blessing when Florida contractor Don Gene "Dusty" Clemons appeared at their Porteaux Bay home offering his services after Hurricane Katrina.

Smith said they do not expect to recoup the money but the hope is their lesson will be one that other homeowners will not have to learn the hard way.

Greeley contractor wins Justice Center deal

The contractor that built the Colorado Convention Center and the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Building has been selected to build Denver's $378 million Justice Center.

Hensel Phelps Construction Co. is still negotiating terms of the contract to build the detention facility and the courthouse included in the Justice Center.

The Greeley-based firm beat out JE Dunn Construction Co. for the detention facility, and Mortenson, PCL Construction Services Inc. and the Weitz Co. for the courthouse contract.

"They were the only firm that submitted on both sides," said James Mejia, Justice Center project manager. "They came with a proposal where if they got both projects, there were substantial savings. That's what persuaded us to go with both and take advantage of economies of scale and pricing."

Mejia said he can't disclose the bid amount until a contract is signed.

Annadale Contractor Remanded to Rikers Island

A 38-year-old home improvement contractor from Annadale, who is charged with committing more than a dozen crimes, including seven counts of second degree grand larceny appeared in state Supreme Court today, where he was remanded to Rikers Island without bail.

Judge passes on case of newspaper vs. Office of Education

The lawsuit itself is based on allegations GCOE violated the Mirror's right to obtain public information under the California Public Records act.

Calling it "a very important case," MacFarland opened the hearing and referred to an inch-thick stack of documents filed by both attorneys late Thursday and early Friday. The judge wasted no time in deciding not to hear the matter.

"Judge Byrd told me about this case," he said. "I said I would not hear it. I won't hear it. I will give it to Judge Byrd and recommend he read it thoroughly ..."

The court was supposed to hear a motion to file an amendment to the Mirror's original petition and a motion for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction.

GCOE attorney Mark Ellis said before court convened that he's asking for a temporary restraining order to keep Mirror editor Tim Crews from publishing or revealing to anyone .

Special session: Coast housing a priority

Mississippi lawmakers return to the Capitol Thursday for a special session to work on the critical issue of rebuilding housing destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Leighton just waiting

CONSTRUCTION firm Leighton Holdings Ltd is taking a wait-and-see approach to any possible bid for infrastructure and engineering group Downer EDI Ltd.

After intense market speculation leading to a sharp rise in its shareprice, Downer EDI this week issued a statement to the market saying it had received no takeover approaches.