CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Students, staff, and the community faced renewed concern Thursday as Huntington Local School District received its fourth bomb threat in less than two weeks.
At approximately 7:20 a.m., the Ross County Sheriff’s Office notified the district of another threat called into their office. Unlike previous incidents, officials decided to keep classes in session, implementing enhanced safety measures.
“Students are entering the building and the district is operating under a modified lockdown,” the district said in a statement. “The building was thoroughly checked last night and again this morning, and it was confirmed that no one entered the building overnight.”
Multiple law enforcement agencies are on site throughout the day. The Department of Homeland Security has deployed a SkyWatch Tower to monitor activity on campus, and the FBI is seeking warrants to trace the origin of the threatening calls.
“We remain vigilant and believe it is important for our students to be in the classroom,” the district said. “We understand the anxiety this situation may cause for students, staff, and families, and we are working closely with law enforcement to identify the source of these threats. Based on the precautionary measures in place and the guidance of law enforcement, we are confident in our ability to safely proceed with school today.”
The Scioto Valley Guardian has reached out to DHS and the FBI for comment and has not yet received a response.
This latest threat comes after a series of similar incidents in the district earlier this month, leaving the community searching for answers about the person or persons responsible.