$1,000 reward in church graffiti; Info leading to vandals' arrest.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Matthew Bruun

GARDNER - A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for vandalism last week at seven churches and a high school.

"People are very outraged about it," Police Lt. Gerald J. Poirier said yesterday.

Six churches in Gardner and a church in Phillipston were vandalized, as was Narragansett Regional High School in Templeton. Among the messages spray-painted were "Jesus Is Dead" and "brainwashed zombies." Disparaging references to the Virgin Mary and symbols including an upside-down cross were painted on the buildings.

"We are actively pursuing leads at this moment," Lt. Poirier said yesterday afternoon.

He said the Gardner Knights of Columbus Council 396 is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the Good Friday desecration.

Kenneth Peters of American Power Washing and Cleaning of Weymouth saw news reports of the...