Youth tabbed with taking chemical from school

PALMER — A Mat-Su Valley youth, who officials aren’t naming, could be charged with theft in the second degree for allegedly stealing enough sodium from a science lab at Colony Middle School to force an evacuation Friday. Oct. 3.

In it’s pure form, sodium can become explosive when mixed with water.

Students at the middle school were briefly evacuated after administrators learned an undisclosed amount of the sodium was missing.

No one was injured at the school, and students were allowed back in after the Mat-Su Borough Hazmat team conducted a complete sweep through the building and determined it was safe for students.

On Monday, Alaska State Troopers Spokeswoman Megan Peters said the youth who allegedly removed the sodium led troopers to where it was taken. The sodium was recovered and returned to the school.

Officials will not release the student’s name because he or she is a minor. Students from Wasilla and Palmer attend Colony Middle School.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.