Suspect arrested in arson case
Bryce Gray | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 12 years, 6 months AGO
ST. IGNATIUS — In the midst of an ongoing serial arson investigation, on Friday the Lake County Sherriff’s Office arrested 19-year-old Chase Kuntz of St. Ignatius, who now faces felony charges tied to a suspicious June 5 blaze that destroyed a cabin on Airport Road.
Kuntz is currently being held at the Lake County Detention Center. Following an arraignment hearing in Lake County Court on Monday, Kuntz’ bail was raised from $20,000 to $25,000.
ST. IGNATIUS — In the midst of an ongoing serial arson investigation, on Friday the Lake County Sherriff’s Office arrested 19-year-old Chase Kuntz of St. Ignatius, who now faces felony charges tied to a suspicious June 5 blaze that destroyed a cabin on Airport Road.
Kuntz is currently being held at the Lake County Detention Center. Following an arraignment hearing in Lake County Court on Monday, Kuntz’ bail was raised from $20,000 to $25,000.
Law enforcement officials are still investigating whether or not Kuntz is connected to the spate of recent suspected arsons that have shaken the community, and the teen now stands as a “person of interest” in the case.
Only three days prior to the Airport Road blaze, the Beckwith Mercantile building- reportedly the second-oldest structure in St. Ignatius- was destroyed by a sudden fire in the middle of the night.
In addition to the Mercantile fire, authorities are also looking into Kuntz’ involvement with a number of other St. Ignatius area incidents over the past several months. Those with any possible information about the fires are urged to contact police.
ARTICLES BY BRYCE GRAY
Compact discussed in Helena
HELENA - On Monday, the legislative Water Policy Interim Committee met before a large crowd in Helena to discuss a new report released by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the Reserve Compact Commission regarding the negotiated water compact for the Flathead Reservation.
Sentence deferred for death threats
POLSON — In Lake County District Court last week, a man charged with issuing death threats to Polson city officials was given a two-year deferred sentence.
Lakefront vacation home destroyed in Finley Point fire
FINLEY POINT — There is “nothing left” of a Finley Point summer home that was decimated by a fire on Thursday morning, according to Finley Point Fire Chief Chris Ricciardi.