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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Neighborhoods Employment Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend June 15, 2006 Vandal damages land on bulldozer By Paul Fattig Mail Tribune GLENDALE — An apparent vandal with a knack for operating a bulldozer has twice struck a logging site, causing some $3,000 in damage. The first incident occurred sometime between May 31 and June 2, according to Don Robinson, the assistant district law enforcement ranger working in the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Grants Pass and Glendale resource areas. "Whoever it was took the operator's Cat on the scene and took it for a joy ride," Robinson said. "There was five hours of fuel in it. They ran it until they were out of fuel." But not before tearing up the road, causing $1,800 in damage, and ripping up a half-acre of newly planted trees, destroying 125 trees that were about 4 years old, he said. The cost of replacing the Douglas fir and incense cedar trees is estimated at $1,200, officials said. A week later, the culprit was back, Robinson said. "That time they took it up the road a little ways," he said. "It seemed to be another joy ride." Observing that the logging unit was not controversial and that trees were damaged, Robinson says he suspects vandals, not extremist environmental activists. There appeared to be no damage to the vehicle, he said. "The only thing we know is that whoever did it had the know-how to drive a Caterpillar," Robinson said. "This was an older Cat. You have to shoot spray down an injector to start it. Whoever did this knew that." If arrested, the suspect or suspects would be charged with criminal mischief, he said. The logging operation is on private land owned by the Swanson Group, a Glendale-based logging firm, about three miles southwest of Glendale in the Fall Creek drainage. However, the damage was all caused on adjacent BLM land, officials said. Mike Peavyhouse Logging of Glendale is the contractor. Although the summer months normally bring increased vandalism on public forestlands, this case is unusual because of the joy-riding Cat skinner slang for a bulldozer operator, he said. But it's no laughing matter, said Patty Burel, spokeswoman for the BLM's Medford District. "It's disheartening for the people who put time and effort into regrowing these trees, then have a joy rider wipe all of that out," she said. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Robinson at 541-471-6655. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or at [email protected] Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing GMAT Prep Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com