Valley Resident Arrested for Sabotaging Neighbor’s Christmas Decorations

by I. B. Lyon

It’s Christmas season, and there’s nothing that gets you in the Christmas spirit like Christmas lights. Many towns and communities have Christmas lights shows and displays. Valley City joined the fray 2 years ago with its Christmas lights competition called Valley City’s Lit. This year will mark the third competition, and people are going all out this year.

Valley City residents have to complete an application to enter Valley City’s Lit. On the application, they have to give a brief description of their decoration and light plan along with an estimate of the total number of Christmas lights. Only 7 applicants will be chosen to enter the competition, and there will be 7 judges as well. Unfortunately, the selection process for the competitors and the judges has been politicized. It seems that only people that are politically connected get chosen, especially as judges.

Eddie Grizwald has won Valley City’s Lit the first two years. His setup was well known around The Valley before Valley City’s Lit became a thing. People would drive from around The Valley to see his lights and decorations each year. Most people consider him the favorite again this year, but there is an upstart that could challenge Grizwald.

Harry Grinch wasn’t selected to compete in the inaugural Valley City’s Lit, but he did compete in the competition last year. He finished second last year behind Grizwald; it was a 5-2 vote in Grizwald’s favor. Grinch was not happy with the results, and he vowed to win this year’s competition. Evidently, he planned to do whatever it takes to win.

The voting for Valley City’s Lit is tomorrow night. The judges drive around to each house and cast their votes after viewing all 7 participants’ setups. Grizwald contacted City Hall yesterday morning to let them know he may have to drop out of this year’s competition. Grizwald’s lights and decorations were vandalized on Tuesday night.

Grizwald called the police Wednesday morning after discovering his lights and decorations had been vandalized. He and the police reviewed his security camera footage. After a brief investigation and some questioning, the police arrested Harry Grinch. Grinch was easily identified by his build and gait. Grinch is 5’4″ and weighs in at approximately 300 pounds, and he walks with a limp. The security footage showed a man of Grinch’s build wearing a ski mask and walking with a limp. After some questioning, Grinch admitted to the crime, and he was booked into the city jail. Grizwald agreed to drop the charges Wednesday if Grinch gave him a sincere apology, and Grinch did apologize.

Grinch cut Grizwald’s light wires in 5 different places, and he spray painted 3 of Grizwald’s decorations including his nativity scene. As of this morning, Grizwald was able to repair his lights, and he’s been able to paint over the spray paint on his decorations. He said he’ll be ready for the judges tomorrow night.

I was able to get a comment from both Grizwald and Grinch. Grizwald said, “I couldn’t believe Harry would do something like this. Harry and I aren’t best buds, but we were always cordial until the past couple months. Something changed with him. I think he may have been solely focused on beating me this year, and it just started eating at him. I really hate that. Even though he tried to sabotage me, I still forgive him. Jesus forgave me, and I forgive him. That’s what the Christmas season should be about.”

Grinch said, “I’m embarrassed by what I did. I let Eddie and the powers that be really get under my skin. I was so mad that I didn’t get selected the first year, and then I felt I got hosed last year. I just couldn’t let it go. Folks, if you have a grudge against someone, don’t let it eat at you. Give it up to Jesus, and let Him take care of it. I’m grateful that Eddie forgave me, and I’m glad he let me help him clean up the mess I made with his decorations. Merry Christmas! Jesus is the reason for the season!”

The winner of Valley City’s Lit will be announced tomorrow night at 7:00 pm. We’ll go live on our Facebook page tomorrow night to announce the winner, so stay tuned.

This could’ve ended up being a sad Christmas story. But, thank God both guys set their emotions and hostilities aside and let Jesus take the wheel. We can all learn a valuable lesson from Eddie and Harry this Christmas season. Merry Christmas Valleyans!