May 20, 2004

Pioneer fire suspect enters plea

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Eighteen-year old Marco Flores entered a no-contest plea on May 15 in connection with the fire that destroyed the Pioneer High School Performing Arts Center in November. A second 17-year-old suspect pleaded guilty to setting the blaze in December.

Flores, a former senior at Pioneer, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8 and is not expected to receive prison time.

Pioneer music director Steve Dini says he has no anger toward the two students and has forgiven them for setting the blaze. He says he will accept the judge’s decision.

”Marco is on his own life path now,” admits Dini. “All we are doing at Pioneer is moving forward and looking forward to an even brighter future of performances by our group of wonderful students and parents. Our new PAC will be completed in the spring of 2006 and, in the meantime, we will continue to produce quality productions as we look forward to that glorious first opening night in our exciting, new facility!”