And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Arsonist attacks on Hopi http://www.navajohopiobserver.com/news2.htm By Stan Bindell The Observer KYKOTSMOVI, (Ariz.)-The peaceful village of Kykotsmovi had to fend off fires lit by an arsonist on January 30 before an arrest was made and calm was restored. Fires were set at Kykotsmovi Village Store, Hopi Day School, and the Independent Church. No one was physically injured, but all of the facilities suffered some damage. Keith Joseph Lesch, a 21-year-old from Reno, Nevada, was arrested and charged with three counts of arson. He was arraigned before Federal Magistrate Steven Verkamp in Flagstaff February 1. Judge Verkamp declined to set bail for Lesch, stating that the suspect was a danger to himself and society. Lesch was then transferred to a Phoenix jail in the custody of U.S. Marshals. Hopi Police Officer Alfonso Sakeva reported that the Hopi Police received a telephone call at 5:28 a.m. January 30 reporting that a vehicle was on fire. Twelve minutes later it was reported that the Hopi Day School was on fire and about 20 minutes later that the Independent Church was burning. The fire department was quickly on the scene to douse each of the fires. Police believe that Lesch started by lighting his own vehicle on fire at Kykotsmovi Village Store. The 1985 Ford Bronco was totally burned. The Bronco was set on fire next to the gas pumps. Tommy Canyon, manager of Kykotsmovi Village Store, used his Dodge extended cab pickup to push the burning Ford out of the way so the store's gas tank would not catch fire. The gas station's pump was burned on the outside, but the fire never penetrated the pump to set the gas in the tank on fire. Hopi Day School had a 15 by 15 foot section of its roof burned. The church had its wooden door and frame totally burned, but other parts did not catch fire because they were made out of sandstone. Police did not have monetary estimates for any of the damages. After putting out the vehicle fire, Hopi police were able to run the license plate and identify Lesch, so they knew they were looking for an Anglo. Lesch had been stopped earlier in the morning when he was driving his vehicle at a slow speed and weaving, but he had not been cited. Seven Hopi officers were involved in the investigation. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
