Prosser reacts to Lusk scandal on 20/20
Prosser has seen its share of local and state headlines ever since its former mayor was convicted of child molestation. But the negative attention reached a national level when ABC's 20/20 featured the case in an hour-long episode. It dragged up the old scars for many people once again. KEPR talked to people in Prosser about how they felt about the "Small Town Scandal" spotlight.
"Prosser is known for being an agriculture community.. We have lots of wineries," Cathleen explains.
At least, that's what Prosser would prefer to be known for.
Not the image that was seen by millions on Friday night's 20/20.
The molestation scandal involving ex-Mayor Linda Lusk brought the small town's flaws to light complete with interviews from Lusk and her victim.
High school student, Jesus Magana told Action News the episode was all anyone's talking about. "Lots of gossip. Just gossip... About the issue. Not anything else."
After Linda Lusk was convicted of child molestation, community members started to move on.
"I think this episode brought everything back," he says.
Action News read your comments on Facebook about the episode, ranging from 'The boy is still young and doesn't know he's a victim.' to people mad about giving a child molester so much attention. We also got mixed reviews on the streets, but most people were just concerned about their neighbors.
Cathleen tells KEPR, "The unfortunate part is for the people involved, difficult for the school, all the people connected... that's the unfortunate part."
Others were more worried about the town's reputation, even bringing it up to the city. But they are focusing on the positive. "We as a community, this will be a little blip on the radar and we'll be able to move forward from that," explains the Deputy City Administrator.
This town has had its fair share of the spotlight, and having 20/20 call this a "small town scandal" opened the wounds again.
"I think people should be getting over it. I'm over it. It's not anything big." But for a town of five thousand, this might not blow over as quickly as they'd hoped. As you know, Linda Lusk was arrested last week over a parole violation. We checked with the D.O.C today and learned she is still in jail tonight but could be released this week. Authorities say she left the county for a school function without permission.
"Prosser is known for being an agriculture community.. We have lots of wineries," Cathleen explains.
At least, that's what Prosser would prefer to be known for.
Not the image that was seen by millions on Friday night's 20/20.
The molestation scandal involving ex-Mayor Linda Lusk brought the small town's flaws to light complete with interviews from Lusk and her victim.
High school student, Jesus Magana told Action News the episode was all anyone's talking about. "Lots of gossip. Just gossip... About the issue. Not anything else."
After Linda Lusk was convicted of child molestation, community members started to move on.
"I think this episode brought everything back," he says.
Action News read your comments on Facebook about the episode, ranging from 'The boy is still young and doesn't know he's a victim.' to people mad about giving a child molester so much attention. We also got mixed reviews on the streets, but most people were just concerned about their neighbors.
Cathleen tells KEPR, "The unfortunate part is for the people involved, difficult for the school, all the people connected... that's the unfortunate part."
Others were more worried about the town's reputation, even bringing it up to the city. But they are focusing on the positive. "We as a community, this will be a little blip on the radar and we'll be able to move forward from that," explains the Deputy City Administrator.
This town has had its fair share of the spotlight, and having 20/20 call this a "small town scandal" opened the wounds again.
"I think people should be getting over it. I'm over it. It's not anything big." But for a town of five thousand, this might not blow over as quickly as they'd hoped. As you know, Linda Lusk was arrested last week over a parole violation. We checked with the D.O.C today and learned she is still in jail tonight but could be released this week. Authorities say she left the county for a school function without permission.
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