Arson Investigation Continues at Palin's Church

EDITOR'S NOTE: This item was taken from our sister site at: dailyinsurer.blogspot.com)

Officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are working with other agencies on an arson investigation at the Wasilla, Alaska Bible Church after a costly fire gutted parts of the building last Friday night.

The ATF is now the fifth agency to join in the investigation at Gov. Sarah Palin's church in Wasilla, along with the Central Mat-Su Fire Department, Anchorage Fire Department, Wasilla Police Department and the State Fire Marshals Office.

An on-site investigation discovered that an ignitable accelerant had been poured on and around the the Wasilla Bible Church, including at its main entrance, according to the ATF.

The blaze was set while a small group, including two children, were inside the church, but no one was injured.

Damage to the 2 1/2-year-old church building is thought to be at around $500,000.

Palin, who was recently in Georgia to campaign for re-elected Sen. Saxby Chambliss, said she hoped her membership in the church was not a factor in the arson.

Palin Campaigning for Chambliss in Runoff Race

Alaska Governor and former Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin is in town today to campaign for Senator Saxby Chambliss. The Republican senator is in a runoff with Democratic challenger Jim Martin.

Palin was slated to make four stops for Chambliss, starting off in Augusta. Palin is scheduled to make an appearance at the Gwinnett Center at 4 p.m.

Both Chambliss and Martin are in a runoff after neither managed to cross the 50 percent margin in the Nov. 4 general election.

Republicans hope to hold onto the seat as Democrats inch closer to the 60 votes they would need to prevent Republican filibusters.

Palin to Campaign for Chambliss in Senate Battle

Alaska Governor and former Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin will campaign this coming week in Georgia for Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R), who is fighting to hold on to his Senate seat.

"I was thrilled when I got the call that Gov. Palin would be able to make the trip to Georgia to campaign with me the day before the runoff election," Chambliss said in a statement.

Palin will attend a fundraiser Sunday night and then appear at multiple campaign stops Monday in hopes of rallying the GOP base.

Chambliss won a plurality of the vote on Election Day three weeks ago, but state law mandates the winner to grab 50 percent plus one vote.

As a result of the inclusion of a third-party candidate, Chambliss fell just shy of that threshold, forcing a runoff between him and Democratic challenger Jim Martin.