Bomb threat at Lincoln County High School found to be a hoax

Published 3:11 pm Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Lincoln County High School received a bomb threat Wednesday afternoon around 1 pm. School officials promptly reacted to the threat by following safety protocols and evacuating the building.

A call to Bluegrass 911 reported that pipe bombs were located in the cafeteria of the school, and Stanford Police Department quickly responded to the scene along with Lincoln County Emergency Management and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Assisting on the scene were the Stanford Fire Department, Bluegrass 911, Lincoln County Emergency Management, Stanford EMS, Lancaster Police Department, Somerset SRT Hazmat Team, University of Kentucky Hazmat Team, Kentucky State Police Troopers and KSP Hazmat Team, Kentucky Intelligence Fusion Center, and FBI Lexington, KY field office.

After a thorough search, which lasted over four hours, was completed by hazmat teams and canine units, it was revealed that there was no threat to the faculty and/or student body of the Lincoln County High School campus. It was rather, another hoax call that solicited attention to cause panic. The campus reopened by 5:30 p.m.

Stanford Police Department treats every call, especially of this magnitude, with great concern and is now investigating the source of the threats and can not release any additional information.

“I am proud of the prompt response from our local emergency team, staff, and students today. The reaction of everyone is what you want to see in a crisis situation. Ensuring the safety of our students is always our main focus and that was evident today. We also greatly appreciate the patience and cooperation of our parents during dismissal at the middle and high school today,” said Superintendent Michael Rowe.

Classes will resume Thursday for all staff and students.