REWARD OFFERED – A reward in excess of $700 is now being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the vandalism and destruction of these two statues at the Veterans Memorial on south Broadway. The Korean war soldier, in the foreground, and the Army nurse, in the background, were broken beyond repair when they were toppled to the ground between Midnight and 1 a.m. Saturday, June 21. Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to contact the Emmetsburg Police Department at 712-852-2424.--- Jane Whitmore photo

As community outrage continues to grow over the senseless destruction of two statutes at the Veteran’s Memorial this past weekend, the Emmetsburg Police Department continues to investigate the crime. However, the establishment of a reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case this week is growing as more and more people support the investigation. “We received permission from the Emmetsburg City Council on Monday night to offer a reward of $700 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for damaging the statues at the Veterans’ Memorial,” Emmetsburg Police Chief Eric Hanson reported on Tuesday. “But what makes this so special is the fact that several local businesses and private individuals are also stepping forward to add additional monies to the reward fund.” According to Chief Hanson, the vandalism occurred sometime between the hours of midnight and 1 a.m. on Saturday, June 21.