HM STEEL Worker faces charges

The company opened in March 2001 with 14 employees.
NILES -- Criminal charges have been filed against an employee of a Hunter Avenue steel company.
A misdemeanor charge of passing bad checks was filed Friday in Niles Municipal Court against Zita Schmeltzer, no age listed, in care of HM Steel.
Schmeltzer works in the company's Cleveland office and couldn't be reached.
Her arraignment is set for Jan. 31. The charge was filed on a complaint filed by a Malibu Drive man.
Bounced checks: Company officials have said the company didn't meet its payroll earlier this month and some workers have complained that checks have bounced.
HM Steel bought the former Hunter Steel Co. in February 2001 and renovated the building and equipment. The steel processing mill company started operations in March 2001 with 14 employees.
Trumbull County and the city of Niles gave HM a 10-year, 75-percent property tax abatement and the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 10-year, 55-percent tax credit for the company.
In making its presentation to local government officials, HM representatives said the company hoped to add 59 jobs over three years.
The company sells products to plants and warehouses that sell the products to other manufacturers.
Last week, company officials filed a report with police, contending that another company was holding steel that it had said it would haul for HM, pending payment of a past-due debt.