Teen Admits Torching Springdale Town Hall

James S. Clark, 15, will spend two more months in juvenile jail for burning down the Springdale Town Hall on July 1.

Clark already is serving a two-month sentence for breaking into the town hall and a nearby restaurant two weeks before the fire. His new sentence won’t start until early October.

Clark pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree arson and second-degree burglary as charged in the July 1 fire.

Stevens County Juvenile Court Judge Fred Stewart gave him the maximum detention allowed by state law and ordered him to perform 150 hours of community service.

In addition, Stewart placed Clark on two years of probation and ordered him to pay undetermined restitution.

Clark is the grandson of former mayor and councilman Ray Turner.

Mayor Ernie Gehrke said the fire damages still haven’t been determined, but will exceed $200,000.

A new modular building is expected to be installed within a month at a more visible location than the old town hall. The new town hall will be on city land along state Highway 231. The old town hall - actually two mobile homes - was secluded on a back street.

, DataTimes