SHELBY (UPDATED at 12 noon) — The all-clear signal has been given by authorities after a search by numerous entitites of the Pioneer Career and Technology Center in Shelby on Friday morning.
The school was evacuated Friday and students were sent home after a bomb threat was discovered, according to Shelby Police chief Lance Combs.
“As of noon, a complete search of Pioneer Career and Technology was completed with the assistance of six explosive detection dogs and their handlers from the Cleveland Transit Police (3) Bowling Green State University Police (1), and Kent State University Police (2),” Combs stated in a press release. “Also assisting in the search were four members of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad, Shelby Fire and Shelby Police.
“No bomb or explosives were found. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad has issued an all clear on the building.”
Combs said the Shelby Police Department, in conjunction with Pioneer staff, are continuing an investigation into the threat.
Buses were called in to return students to their home schools, where parents picked them up. Students who drove to school were permitted to drive home, parents were told.
“We want to thank all of the aforementioned agencies for their help and support and also would like to thank R.S. Hanline Company, who provided fresh fruit to the evacuated students and staff, and the Central Ohio Industrial Park for their assistance today,” Combs said. “We will update the media on our investigation as events unfold.
“Questions about school operations should be directed to the administrative staff of Pioneer Career and Technology Center.”
Parents were notified via phone message at around 10 a.m. of the threat, stating there was no immediate threat at this time and “all of us are safe.”
“As a result of a bomb threat found this morning in a restroom, Pioneer Career and Technology Center elected to evacuate and close the building for the day,” Combs said. “The Ashland County Bomb Squad, Shelby Police, Shelby Fire, and K9 handlers from Bowling Green State University, Kent State University and the Cleveland Transit Police are on scene. We will be sweeping the school shortly – due to the size of the school, this could take some time.”
All outside district buses transported students to their home schools for pickup.
This marks the fourth school threat this week in north central Ohio. Bucyrus was locked down earlier this week after a threat was made on social media, while Galion endured a bomb threat on Thursday. Authorities say they have identified the juveniles responsible in each of those cases. A social media threat was made against Mansfield City Schools on Thursday night. Mansfield Police say they investigated that threat, which came from outside the county, and did not find it to be credible.
