Log In


Reset Password

All clear in Lehighton bomb threat

For the second time in two days, a Carbon county school was evacuated Tuesday after a reported bomb threat.

Police and emergency personnel were called to Lehighton Middle School around 2 p.m. after a note was found in a bathroom stall.Lehighton's administration, local police and state police thoroughly searched the building, according to Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver."The all clear has been given and we appreciate the cooperation from the students and parents during this process," Cleaver said shortly after 4 p.m. "We have taken the necessary precautions to make a good faith effort to resume the educational process within a safe school environment."All after school activities were canceled due to a water main break and not the threat."As a crossing guard here at 10th and Mahoning streets for a long time, this was the first time, and hopefully the last, that an emergency situation of this kind took place," said Sue Anthony on Facebook. "Everyone handled it very well. The two teachers who assisted me at the intersection were a blessing."One day earlier, Jim Thorpe High School received a similar threat in the form of a note written on a toilet paper dispenser in the bathroom.The note indicated a bomb was located in the auditorium.State police brought two bomb-sniffing dogs to the scene, which was eventually cleared and determined safe.On a more national scale, Los Angeles public schools were abruptly shut down Tuesday for what police called a "credible bomb threat." New York City officials said that they had received a similar threat to schools on Tuesday, but concluded that it was a hoax.Though parents were notified of the threat at Lehighton through a phone call from the district, many remained nervous while waiting to contact their children."Getting a phone call about your child's school being evacuated for a bomb threat is nerve racking," said Trish Howarth-Heckman on Facebook. "Yesterday it was Jim Thorpe High School and today Lehighton Middle School. I hope whatever child thinks it's funny to copycat...they find out who they are and get charged for it. Stuff like that is not a joke at all when it involves other lives."Lehighton police did not return a call for comment.