Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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Three bomb threats in one day for Worth County Schools
Posted: 01.29.2013 at 9:35 AM
Updated: 01.29.2013 at 4:30 PM
FOX 31 News Team

The FOX 31 News Team covers Southwest Georgia 24/7

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Some entrances to the school were shut down Tuesday.  / Sean Streicher
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SYLVESTER, GA -- Fourth Update (4:30 PM)
Worth County School System officials have confirmed that a fourth bomb threat has been issued for Worth County Middle School. Police and fire officials are on scene searching the campus.

The school system has released the following statement:
Worth County High School was searched and cleared early this morning.  The schools operated on heightened alert as a precautionary measure. Worth County Elementary School was evacuated today and searched.  The decision was made to move students and begin the parent reunification process. Students were released early today at each of the schools.  This afternoon information was discovered and acted on at Worth County Middle School.  Authorities are continuing an investigation of these incidents.  Staff and students at each school are to be commended for the outstanding job responding to the situation.  Our primary concern in an emergency situation is for our students, staff, and faculty’s safety.

Third Update (1:47 PM)
The Worth County School System has released the following information about school releases due to the bomb threats:

Worth County Elementary students have been evacuated from the building.  The students are safe and will be released at their normal time. Students who ride the bus home will board their bus at Worth County Middle School. Students who are pick-ups can be picked up at the baseball field behind Worth County Middle School. Parents will be able to enter the field from the corner of Isabella Street and Hughes Street.


Second Update
Sylvester police say that have a person of interest they are questioning in the bomb threat.

First Update
Sylvester police have confirmed that a third bomb threat has been called in and Worth County Elementary School is currently being evacuated.

Initial Story
Worth County High School is on alert for the second time in two weeks after a bomb threat was called into 911 Monday afternoon according to a letter received by faculty Tuesday morning.

In the letter, WCHS Principal Dr. Russ Chesser told staff that another threat was called in and law enforcement was conducting an investigation into who made the call.

Chesser added that the building was searched early Tuesday morning for about two hours with dogs from the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany in an attempt to not interrupt the regular school day.

The letter also states that even though the threat level is probably minimal, extra steps are being taking to increase security around the campus such as extra resource officers, blocking some entrances to the school, and limiting outside activity. 

The Worth County School System released the following statement about the alert:

Information was received last night.  Worth County High School was searched and cleared early this morning.  This is an ongoing investigation and details will not be released.  The schools will be operating on heightened alert as a precautionary measure.

Additionally, Worth County Schools will not be allowing media on campus Tuesday nor will interviews be taken.

Stay connected to MySouthWestGA.com as stories develop and the FOX 31 Newscast at 10 PM. Visit us on Facebook and Twitter to join in on the conversation and connect with FOX 31!

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