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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man is accused of peddling bomb


Morris
 (The Spokesman-Review)
Compiled from wire reports The Spokesman-Review

Houston A man who told agents he has “no loyalty for America” has been charged with trying to build a bomb and sell it to an affiliate of al Qaeda, officials said Monday.

Ronald A. Grecula, 68, of Bangor, Pa., was arrested Friday in Houston during a meeting with undercover FBI agents. Grecula indicated willingness to build and sell an explosive device for use against Americans, officials allege.

Grecula was angry at the government over losing custody of his children, with whom he fled to Malta, officials said. He met a confidential source in prison there while awaiting extradition to the United States for the alleged kidnapping, officials said.

He is charged with trying to offer material support and resources to a foreign terror group. He could face up to 15 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Heat at border lethal for illegal immigrants

Tucson, Ariz. A sudden onset of triple-digit heat led to a rash of deaths among illegal immigrants during the weekend in Arizona’s deserts, with 12 people reported dead between Friday and Monday.

Scores were saved in nearly 50 rescue operations, officials said.

The deaths were scattered along Arizona’s border with Mexico, but most of the bodies were found west of Tucson.

Heat-related deaths have become common in Arizona as immigrants push into harsher terrain to elude border agents.

Temperatures reached 110 degrees Sunday in Tacna, east of Yuma, at the California line.

Griffith show favorite Howard Morris dies

Los Angeles Howard Morris, best known for playing poetry-spouting hillbilly Ernest T. Bass on the “Andy Griffith Show,” died at his home in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. He was 85. Morris died Saturday of natural causes, his son David said Monday. He enjoyed a long show-business career, but is best-remembered for his role on the “Andy Griffith” comedy.

He later provided voices for animated television show characters. He also directed TV shows and films including a pilot episode of Mel Brooks’ “Get Smart.”

Boys’ mom questions bus driver’s penalty

Punta Gorda, Fla. The mother of two boys whose fight with a substitute school bus driver was captured on videotape has questioned why the boys are charged with a felony while the driver faces a less serious charge.

Sherri Shaw said Monday on NBC’s “Today” she’s not satisfied with the punishment facing driver Albert Taylor. He is charged with misdemeanor battery and could spend a year in jail.

Mark Ernest Dickinson, 15, and his stepbrother, Corey Gene Hendershot, 13, were arrested last week and charged with assault on a school official. A video of the fight has been played nationally.

Bear is tranquilized after a visit to pool

Los Angeles A 140-pound bear wandered into a suburban neighborhood and took a dip in a swimming pool before being tranquilized and returned to the wild.

The female bear ambled into the San Fernando Valley’s Porter Ranch area Sunday evening, bumping into doors and windows before taking a few splashes in a backyard pool, an official said.

The homeowner pulled her children out of the pool when the bear showed up and called 911.

Authorities cordoned off the area as wildlife officials tranquilized the bear.