CANYON CITY – The reward fund in the Bachtold well case has grown to $4,750, Sheriff Glenn Palmer reported Friday, Jan. 11.

The original reward of $1,000 was offered by two residents who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns about safety. They asked that the money be awarded for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

Since the investigation and the reward were detailed in the Jan. 9 Blue Mountain Eagle, the Sheriff’s office has received additional pledges from the community. The pledges included some anonymous donations, plus $500 from KJDY, $500 from Bill and Lori Hickerson, $250 from Kim Randleas at The Outpost, and $500 from King Williams.

Palmer said he also is receiving calls from people who may have information about the case or who are upset about the incident.

The well poisoning, at the residence of Dr. Joseph Bachtold on Little Canyon Mountain, was reported to authorities in early December.

An investigation determined that someone had gone onto the Bachtold property, uncapped the well and poured potassium permanganese, a solvent chemical, into it.

The substance was odorless and tasteless, but turned the water red. The sheriff said no one drank the tainted water, but it would have been toxic if they had.

Authorities are investigating a link between the poisoning and the ongoing dispute over off-road vehicle use in the Little Canyon Mountain area. For several years, Bachtold and other neighbors have complained about noise, trespassing, and illegal riding in the area.

Since the well incident, Bachtold has confirmed that he will be moving to Sisters and take a new position there in April.

For more details on the case, go to www.MyEagleNews.com or watch for next week’s Eagle, which will be delivered Jan. 16.