Suspects still being sought for school vandalism

Glacier High School is still seeking suspects in the May 2014 arson incident that destroyed a pole-vaulting mat and damaged the track surface, pole vault standards and fencing.

The school recently put out a reminder that a CrimeStoppers reward was being offered for any information about the vandalism.

“We put it back out there to see if there’s any new chatter,” Glacier Activities Director Mark Dennehy said. “We were hoping that someone has heard information about the pole-vault pits and would come forward.”

Kalispell Police Department Investigations Capt. Scott Warnell said the department is following some leads in the arson investigation.

Damaged equipment was replaced in October for around $40,000, according to Dennehy. 

In a separate incident over the winter break, school grounds sustained damage to fencing surrounding a field west of the school.

“It appears someone went around the corner and took out two big [fence] posts,” Dennehy said. “The were hit pretty hard.” 

Dennehy estimated the cost to repair the fence at $400 to $500. Although there are cameras located on the campus, the incident was not captured on video and administrators ask anyone with information to talk to them or Glacier Student Resource Officer Chad Fetveit.

In August 2014, Fair-Mont-Egan had its share of vandalism when the principal discovered roughly 60 yards of fencing around the school parking lot had been pulled out of the ground by a vehicle, requiring $1,200 in repairs. Fair-Mont-Egan District Clerk Susan Clanton said the school is installing an exterior camera system because of the incident.

Anyone with information about school vandalism may call Flathead CrimeStoppers at 752-8477.