Some vandals come forward, admit to star prank

Some of the vandals who altered the lighted star on the hill above the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley on Wednesday morning have come forward to take responsibility, according to the president of the Asotin Lions Club.

Some of the young people and their parents came forward Thursday afternoon, Ty Aiken announced. This was after surveillance footage of the vandals was posted on social media Wednesday afternoon.

“We’re going to have a meeting with the Lions Club and the parents and come to an understanding of how we’re going to move forward,” Aiken said. “It’s pretty fresh right now.”

Aiken said that meeting will likely be in the coming days.

The vandals changed the star into a shape that resembled Pac-Man, a video game icon of the 1980s. Members of the Lions Club managed to get the display back into its star shape by Wednesday evening.

But there was damage done by the prank. Aiken said more than 200 light bulbs and some wiring were broken. The damage will cost about $2,600, he said.

“I don’t think they were trying to cause any damage. I think they were just kids trying to pull a prank,” Aiken said. “I don’t think there was any ill will, really. They weren’t trying to cause damage, but that result was what it was.”

Aiken said club members will have to make sure the cross is functioning before it is switched on in the spring. Most of the damage done by this week’s prank was sustained by the cross.

Donations to support the star and the cross can be sent to the Friends of the Asotin Lions Club, P.O. Box 175, Asotin, WA 99402.

Baney may be contacted at mbaney@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2262. Follow him on X @MattBaney_Trib.