Explosives charge

Explosives charge
CLEVELAND -- A Niles man faces 30 years in prison on a federal explosives charge. William A. Maxwell, 21, whose last known address is Summit Avenue, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on three counts of aiding and abetting in the manufacture, receipt and possession of destructive devices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Bulford said the charges surround possession of pipe bombs and flash bangs. Flash bangs explode and emit a loud noise. They are used by police to distract a person they want to arrest. Bulford said the devices were stolen from police vehicles parked in the Youngstown parking deck. Bulford said the charges are related to those filed in October against Ralph F. Catone Jr., 21, whose last known address is Williams Street in Niles. Catone faces the same charges, and if convicted could be sentenced to 30 years in prison and fined $750,000.
Check altered
GIRARD -- A Lawrence Avenue woman contacted police Thursday after discovering that a check she wrote to a Ugandan missionary priest was altered to pay 100 times more than she intended. The amount on the canceled check from her credit union was changed to $2,000 from $20, police say. The date was also changed. Seven Seventeen Credit Union told the woman that her loss would be covered by the credit union's insurance, police say.
To be charged
WEATHERSFIELD -- A 28-year-old man was to be charged in Niles Municipal Court with rape, felonious assault and theft this morning for an attack that took place at 5:30 a.m. Thursday in Weathersfield Township. The man was arrested later in the day by Girard police while visiting his sister, said Weathersfield police Capt. Joe Consiglio. The arrest was on a warrant for domestic violence stemming from an incident Oct. 17. Officials said the attack Thursday was under investigation and declined to provide more details.
Goodwill Industries
NILES -- Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries will be host of Goodwill's centennial celebration traveling exhibit now through Dec. 27 in the Target concourse at Eastwood Mall. The organization, dedicated to providing employment and training opportunities to disabled people, was founded in Boston in 1902. The exhibit uses a mix of narrative and visuals to depict Goodwill's history and plans for its next century of service. The local organization is one of 44 Goodwill agencies that will be host of the exhibit between now and the end of 2002.
Liquid salt for roads
RAVENNA -- The Ohio Department of Transportation has announced it will begin experimentally applying liquid salt brine, which consists of rock salt and water, this winter in Stark County in advance of forecast winter storms to make roads safer for motorists. The water runs off and the salt powder is left behind to bond with the road, preventing snow from sticking to the pavement. The brine can also be applied after a snowstorm has begun to melt snow and ice plow trucks didn't remove, ODOT said, adding that brine applications will be expanded to other counties.
Counterfeit checks
AUSTINTOWN -- An employee of 717 Credit Union, 6460 Mahoning Ave., told police that a 45-year-old Youngstown woman and credit union client cashed counterfeit checks at both the Austintown and Boardman offices. A $1,842.30 check drawn on Firstar Bank N.A. was cashed Nov. 29. A check for $791.42 was cashed the same day at the credit union's Boardman office. Police said both checks were issued to the suspect from Maplewood Care Center in Streetsboro.
Assault report
YOUNGSTOWN -- City police were called to Forum Health Northside Medical Center on a complaint that a 14-year-old North Side boy had been assaulted by his mother's 41-year-old boyfriend. A social worker told police Thursday the boy had been beaten up and suffered a broken arm. The boy told police that he and his 11-year-old brother had been fighting when the boyfriend tried to break up the fight, grabbing the older boy by the neck. The boy became angry and punched the boyfriend, who threw the child to the cement floor, causing the injury.