Vandalism Closes Town’s Two Schools

Fri., Dec. 13, 1996

Associated Press

A pre-dawn vandalism rampage forced officials to close the Toutle Lake elementary and secondary schools Thursday.

Vandals smashed windows, overturned vending machines and trashed offices in the buildings.

Officials estimated damage at “tens of thousands” of dollars, but expected to reopen today after custodians cleaned up and investigators finished scouring the crime scene.

Cowlitz County sheriff’s Deputy Denny Parkhill and school employees said the vandals were probably inside the buildings between midnight and 6 a.m. An employee discovered the damage at about 7 a.m.

Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Conner said he has “a list of suspects we’re working on.” He told a fellow deputy that the suspects were juveniles.

Superintendent Bill Edwards said he was just as stunned by what the vandals spared. All the Macintosh computers in the offices, classrooms and computer lab were not touched.

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Vandalism Closes Town’s Two Schools

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

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