Forestry Group Offers Reward in Machine Vandalism

The Jefferson Davis County Forestry Association is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the destruction of logging machinery on Oct. 27 in Lawrence County near the Georgia Pacific paper mill.

The reward is in addition to a $10,000 reward offered by the owner of the machinery, Stuart Timber Inc. of Carson, Miss.

Authorities say the vandals burned much of the machinery. Deputies say electric wires were cut, hoses slashed and windows were broken on other equipment.

Association officials say they also dug a trench across the access road to hamper fire suppression efforts.

The Lawrence County sheriff’s office is investigating the incident.