C Hill flag reward at $1,250

Another $500 has been added to the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the C Hill Flag vandals.

The Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce raised the total reward to $1,250.

"These wanton acts of vandalism are acts against our community and are not to be tolerated," said Wayne Pedlar, chairman of the chamber's board of directors. "The Chamber of Commerce and our members sincerely appreciated the volunteer efforts to construct this American symbol and we proudly contributed financial support to its completion. We condemn these recent acts of disrespect and hope this pledge will assist in bringing the vandals to justice, or at least will help dissuade others from committing these criminal acts of destruction."

The reward will be paid through the C Hill Flag Foundation or the Secret Witness Program when those responsible are arrested and convicted.

Secret Witness is offering $250 for information about the flag. House of Drake is offering another $500.

The 120-by-67-foot flag was damaged sometime over Easter weekend and again on April 11, seven-month anniversary of the World Trade Center attack, when a hiker frightened off some teenagers engaged in vandalizing the flag with a sharp rock.

On April 12, graphic artist Josh Buscay and flag caretaker Gil Ayarbe repaired the flag.

A foundation is being established to maintain the flag. For more information or to help, call 882-5705 or e-mail nevada4@aol.com.

The 1,000-pound vinyl flag was conceived to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

It was completed by volunteers and a Nevada Division of Forestry inmate crew on Oct. 18. The flag was dedicated the following Sunday.