September trial scheduled in school vandalism incident
CHRIS PETERSON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 1 week AGO
Chris Peterson is the editor of the Hungry Horse News. He covers Columbia Falls, the Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All told, about 4 million acres of the best parts of the planet. He can be reached at [email protected] or 406-892-2151. | July 29, 2026 6:50 AM
A Columbia Falls man was recently fined $495 which will be deferred after 6 months for a misdemeanor charge in Columbia Falls City Court related to vandalism at the high school.
Stimson Charles Dolesh, 18, of Columbia Falls pleaded guilty July 14 to one count of criminal mischief with a pecuniary loss of less than $1,500. Dolesh, a 2026 senior at Columbia Falls High School and the class valedictorian, was charged May 30 for his role in allegedly trying to set fire to toilets at the Columbia Falls football concession stand using gasoline on May 25.
Another classmate, Cash Clayton Short-Hamilton, 18, of Kalispell has pleaded not guilty to the same misdemeanor charge in the May incident.
Short-Hamilton is scheduled to go to trial Sept. 17 in Columbia Falls City Court, according to court records.
The Columbia Falls School District Board had a special disciplinary meeting on June 1 to consider two students participation in graduation ceremonies.
While the students were not named in an executive session, neither individual was at 2026 graduation ceremonies.
School superintendent Cory Dziowgo declined to comment on the matter.
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