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Mountain Home News

Schools suffer two bomb threats in two days

Friday, October 19, 2007
Students at Mountain Home Junior High School were evacuated from the building Friday morning following the second bomb threat in two days at district facilities.

Authorities were called out just after 8 a.m. Friday following a report of a bomb threat that had been called into the junior high school.

As a standard precautionary measure, students were evacuated to the high school. Friday was a previously planned early release day. The students had been scheduled to be released at 1:30 p.m. and were held at the high school until that time.

Bomb-sniffing dogs from the base ordnance disposal unit were called in to search the junior high but no devices were found.

Students at Mountain Home High School had been released from school early Thursday following an alleged bomb threat at that school.

Mountain Home police and fire crews responded about 9:30 a.m. Thursday after school officials discovered a threat that apparently had been written on a bathroom wall. As soon as it was discovered, the standard precautionary measures were taken and all students were evacuated to the junior high.

A team of bomb-sniffing dogs from the base ordnance disposal unit was called in and entered the building at 11:30 a.m. A search normally takes about two hours.

The dogs searching the high school apparently actually "hit" on a package, but it turned out to be a box of school supplies that contained a chemical that emitted a smell, which for the dogs, was similar to the explosive smell signaturaes for which they had trained.

No device was discovered, but "the day was shot," said Principal Jeff Johnson, so at 1:20 p.m. students were officially released for the day and school buses began arriving.

Bomb threats of any kind are now federal offenses in which not only local authorities but the Department of Homeland Security become involved. In the past, when persons who made a threat have been caught, authorities often have pressed for restitution of the costs associated with dealing with the threat. The cost for standby fire department and ambulance crews, and police to cordon off the streets around a threat site, can run $3,000-$5,000. In addition, the school district loses revenue from school lunches and state money paid for each day students are in class, adding significantly to that total.

Anyone with any information concerning either of the incidents is encouraged to contact the Mountain Home Police Department at 587-2101.

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  • Gah, are you serious?! Some people's kids... :(

    -- Posted by Nocturne on Fri, Oct 19, 2007, at 2:11 PM

  • this was rediculous a waste of time i was only lucky to have been picked up before we died of boredom considering.. there was no bomb

    -- Posted by Allen M on Fri, Oct 19, 2007, at 2:29 PM

  • Hey be grateful, at least they took precautions!

    -- Posted by IdahoGirl on Fri, Oct 19, 2007, at 2:55 PM

  • Apparently kids don't want to go to class in Mountain Home these days.

    -- Posted by mrfresh28 on Fri, Oct 19, 2007, at 2:59 PM

  • I agree - I guess some kid/s don't want to go to school. It's sad that the day has to be interrupted for everyone else, including the trained individuals who try to keep our children safe. Thank goodness each incident is treated REAL.

    I do hope they catch the person doing this and make it public who he/she/they are.

    To: Allen M - quit griping/whining and grow up - this COULD have been real. Be glad officials care enough about you - even though you don't seem to - to get you to safety and hold you there until they KNOW you ARE safe.

    -- Posted by midea on Fri, Oct 19, 2007, at 3:33 PM

  • I have to ask about the teen in the picture giving it the two thumbs up. Does he think this is a joke or what? I hope his parents have enough sense to give him a good talking to about that, maybe even ground him for awhile until he realizes how serious this is.

    I think that for every bomb threat that is made that interrupts the school day, a day should be added on to the end of the school year. Obviously someone wants to get out of school, how about interrupting their summer the same way they are interrupting the school year? That might teach them!

    -- Posted by ItsJustMeAgain on Fri, Oct 19, 2007, at 6:43 PM

  • Yes, I did notice the kid with the thumbs up. It would be nice if his parents saw this and they had the kahunas to give him what for.

    I agree - add another day added to end of the year for this missed day. Maybe if there are consequences this won't happen so much.

    Get the school authorities to go along with this once or twice, see what happens???? See if they will try it.

    -- Posted by midea on Fri, Oct 19, 2007, at 10:13 PM

  • In todayâ??s day & age we might reconsider this military town's evacuation plans for schools. For two days now we moved one whole school into another. To me this poses a problem. Twice as many military & non-military kids in one building. False alarm or not, we do not know until it over. I would suggest they evacuate to the ball fields. They may get cold and wet but I would rather buy my kids (X3) Tylenol then the alternative

    -- Posted by miami72 on Sat, Oct 20, 2007, at 1:14 AM

  • Did it ever accure to anyone that maybe this student was just happy for being out of school? This is a serious issue and i hope whoever did it is punished but it seems to me everyone is focusing more on the student thats happy for being out of school than finding who did this.

    -- Posted by shorty1821 on Sat, Oct 20, 2007, at 5:21 PM

  • Concerning the comments made by â*¿½*¿½Mideaâ*¿½*¿½ and â*¿½*¿½ItsJustMeAgainâ*¿½*¿½ about the teen in the photo; it seems to me they both are making assumptions about his gesture. Would it be any different if he was waiving, giving a peace sign or any number of other common gestures the teens use these days? An assumption is just that, an assumption and not a fact. There may even be folks out there making assumptions, as these writers have, about the type of people â*¿½*¿½Mideaâ*¿½*¿½ and â*¿½*¿½ItsJustMeAgainâ*¿½*¿½ are for some of the comments they have made here. Letâ*¿½*¿½s seeâ*¿½Â*..the term â*¿½*¿½Mideaâ*¿½*¿½ uses in her commentary and the context in which it was used could lead to the assumption that Midea is a foulmouthed individual. The comment â*¿½*¿½ItsJustMeAgainâ*¿½*¿½ writes â*¿½*¿½I hope his parents have enough sense to give him a good talking to about that, maybe even ground himâ*¿½*¿½ could lead one to believe this writer has no life and canâ*¿½*¿½t help but to tell folks how to deal with their personal issues. Now that wouldnâ*¿½*¿½t be nice, prudent or factual in most cases to assume those things. The same holds true here. The photo is no different then the proverbial book cover.

    Thereâ*¿½*¿½s no doubt the kid was happy to be able to go home early that day, just as he, and many others would be if the electricity or water went out at school or work.

    By the way, the kid in the photo is a fun loving, happy and very respectful normal teenage boy that is at the top of most of his classes. Thatâ*¿½*¿½s right, heâ*¿½*¿½s mine and Iâ*¿½*¿½m proud of him. Iâ*¿½*¿½ll be sure to post here if I need any more parenting advice.

    -- Posted by MSAUERWALD on Sat, Oct 20, 2007, at 11:17 PM

  • The fact that the kids in the picture didnt know that this picture would be used on this website as a reference probably has nothing to do with him giving the thumbs up right? Everyone on here has a right to yell at him because he knew that the picture would be used on the website right? Yeah. Think about this people.

    -- Posted by Blizzard on Sun, Oct 21, 2007, at 1:12 AM

  • I don't think anyone is really staying on topic. The topic is the bomb threats at the schools not the kid in the picture. Ok put two and two together. One bomb threat came in on thursday (high school) and another came in on friday (junior high). What happens if it keeps happening and goes to the elementry schools?

    -- Posted by kbrown on Sun, Oct 21, 2007, at 11:07 AM

  • I did comment about the bomb threat. The chances of finding who did it are very slim. The possibilities these days for making phone calls and not being found, are endless. If it goes to the elementary schools, what can be done? I hope it doesn't, let's hope whoever finds this funny, moves on to something eles, like therapy, maybe?

    On the other hand, the teen in the photo, I don't care if he is straight A, Presidential material. It was innappropriate for him to be giving the thumbs up. I don't think it means he made the call, I don't think it means he knew who made the call. I think it means he made a gesture that didn't belong in a picture of students missing school because of a bomb threat.

    I also still believe that every time a day is lost because of a bomb threat, the students should make it up at the end of the years.

    Coming from someone with the name "Getbent", I'll take you telling me that I have no life as a compliment. I'll also assume you are related to or possibly ARE the teen in the picture. You are assuming that I was assuming he was in the bomb threat. You're 100% wrong.

    -- Posted by ItsJustMeAgain on Sun, Oct 21, 2007, at 11:17 AM

  • I remember as a teen enjoying missing class due to the bomb threats that happened during the years i was a student. But looking back now I realize all it was doing is costing the city money, costing the students a good education, and being a general pain in the neck to the whole town. I pray daily that the bomb threat makers will just quietly go away and that students will make it through a whole school year able to learn to the best of their ability.

    -- Posted by smurph on Sun, Oct 21, 2007, at 1:56 PM
  • *

    I do believe that too much is being said about the student in the picture. Kids will be kids... no matter what. Any student on the planet would be happy to get out of class, no matter the reason. It is unfortunate that something as serious as two bomb threats in the school district can result in a message board discussion of the picture with the article of a kid who is happy to be out of class.

    Why not focus our energies on finding out who is responsible?

    -- Posted by questionposer on Sun, Oct 21, 2007, at 2:09 PM

  • what i would worry about most is that if this continues it will just become a game to the students and when the real situation comes along they will take their time thinking again that it is only a prank.

    -- Posted by mountainhomie on Sun, Oct 21, 2007, at 11:16 PM

  • What happened to Karen Martin? Where's her blog?

    -- Posted by BruceGibson on Sun, Oct 21, 2007, at 11:20 PM

  • To Bruce:

    Karen doesn't work for the paper anymore. I have no idea why, but found out last week and thought I'd pass it on. I for one will miss her and her blog.

    Sorry I am off-topic. Just trying to be a good neighbour.

    -- Posted by Nocturne on Mon, Oct 22, 2007, at 2:46 AM

  • Karen's probably not working for the paper anymore because of all the flack she received from you people about the Tom Berry incident.

    Hope you're happy. I expect all those who criticized her to be filling out applications of their own. Believe me, it's not as easy as you think.

    -- Posted by mrfresh28 on Mon, Oct 22, 2007, at 9:56 AM

  • Mrfresh, I certainly hope that 'you people' comment was not aimed at me. I seem to remember you being involved in that debate as well. And since we don't have Karen's blog to refer to whom said what, I suggest you refrain from pointing fingers. I never said ANYTHING against Karen, nor her stance on the issue.

    -- Posted by Nocturne on Mon, Oct 22, 2007, at 12:10 PM

  • Okay so here is my ten cents worth... I agree completely with the comments made that there is now a fostered thought in the kids that if they threaten they get a day off. Now what kid would not jump at that. I think the kids need to be made aware of just how serious this is. From what I have seen the kids now look at this like it is a joke. I myself am THANKFUL that it was reacted to and not dismissed as Idle crap because who knows maybe next time it could be real.

    As to the kid with the thumbs up there is your proof the kids are looking at this like it is a joke and a way to get out of school. Now that is just how I take that pic.

    I look at the fine that can be imposed and just who do you think would be paying that fine? Surly not a Jr High student it would be the parents. In looking at that what lesson would be learned? Let me pose this thought say it was your kid who did this and all of a sudden you had to pay the fine because in Idaho we are responsible for our children until they are 18 would you still think a good talking to or grounding would cut it? I think not.

    I would remiss if I did not interject this but I am sorry if your kid does not know by Jr High that doing something like that is wrong then I would say there is no easy way to teach that lesson and some real tough love better get shown quick. What is the solution? Who knows????? I know if it was my Kid OHHHH yeah buddy.

    -- Posted by sinn on Mon, Oct 22, 2007, at 1:08 PM

  • Who said that it was a kid that made the threat? And whats the big deal with the thumbs up in the picture? Hello-no kid wants to be in school.

    I must agree that there is too much attention goin towards the student in the picture, you should be wondering who is calling in these bomb threats.

    -- Posted by smalltowndrama3 on Mon, Oct 22, 2007, at 3:17 PM

  • Calm down, Nocturne. If you weren't one of the people who was whining about Karen's lack of coverage, then my comment was not directed at you.

    And yes, I was involved in that discussion you refer to. I seem to remember sticking up for Karen because I've walked in her shoes. Still am.

    Like I said, everyone who thinks it's easy should pick up an application.

    -- Posted by mrfresh28 on Mon, Oct 22, 2007, at 3:42 PM

  • This bombthreat issue is important. As a recent graduate I can also remember being happy about missing school in Jr.High at the time. But having to make up all the work missed the next day wasn't fun at all. Maybe having a couple assemblys where police or people in charge come in and talk would help. Tell the kids the amount of money their wasting for missing a couple of hours. Tell them the dangers. I know it's been done and it didn't help. It might not help this time but it couldn't hurt. And they wouldn't even have to just go to the Jr.High or the High...they could go to the Elementary and Middle schools and head it off before it gets worse. I don't know if it would help the older kids but I think educating the younger ones would help.

    -- Posted by locallyconcerned on Mon, Oct 22, 2007, at 10:49 PM

  • I really hope the prankster is found and learns that hoaxes are very, very dangerous; they could lead to the attitude that all bomb threats are hoaxes. And they might not be.

    About Karen. I really don't blame her for taking a rest, what with all that's gone on in her life the past few months, and the flack that we responders (I include myself) may have caused that may have made things harder for her to bear at this time. I hope she returns to her job when she is ready.

    The way she handled the comments section was great: we were given the choice of how we read the postings, either sequential from the first one or last first. I liked that.

    By the way, the date/time shown when I just now previewed this was Wed. Dec. 31st 1969, 6 pm. If I remember correctly, on that date my whole family, minus the three-month-old baby, were about the sickest we have ever been with a terrible flu going around Europe and killing folks, except for those under a year old. I wonder if that date/time stamp will stick with the posting once I save it.

    -- Posted by senior lady on Wed, Oct 24, 2007, at 5:36 PM

  • IMO the way they evacuate the schools are whacked. I mean, why would you take one school and make them sit at another? Doesnt that disrupt the school day of both schools then? Also, if it is a test run for a real threat then person now knows to call it into the high school, for example, but place the bomb at the jr. high. They could destroy the population of both schools at once.

    About making the students make up the days-- that would never happen. The school district would have to pay the teachers to be there, the school would have to find a way to feed all the students, bus them, and all the other unseen expenses that go into the school day. And why should all the students be punished because one person ruined their school day? As of right now we dont even know it was a student. (There is a chance that it is a student but with that comes the chance that it isnt)

    -- Posted by EN0207 on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, at 12:01 AM

  • Senior Lady, how do you know that Karen is simply "taking some time off," she could have gotten fired, yes???

    -- Posted by mrfresh28 on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, at 12:41 PM

  • IMO the way they evacuate the schools are whacked. I mean, why would you take one school and make them sit at another? Doesnt that disrupt the school day of both schools then? Also, if it is a test run for a real threat then person now knows to call it into the high school, for example, but place the bomb at the jr. high. They could destroy the population of both schools at once.

    About making the students make up the days-- that would never happen. The school district would have to pay the teachers to be there, the school would have to find a way to feed all the students, bus them, and all the other unseen expenses that go into the school day. And why should all the students be punished because one person ruined their school day? As of right now we dont even know it was a student. (There is a chance that it is a student but with that comes the chance that it isnt)

    -- Posted by EN0207 on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, at 2:15 PM

  • Of course I don't know -- nor do I need to know -- the precise reason(s) why Ms. Karen is no longer with the paper. Whatever the reason(s), I firmly believe that what with losing one's mother and knowing one's child will be off to war, so close together, almost anyone would benefit from other stresses being reduced. A stressful job could be just too much, for a while at least. I wish her and her family well and hope for her return.

    I suppose our discussing her isn't helping her at all, but I just believe someone in her situation deserves some compassion from others. Being a daughter as well as a mother I can really identify.

    I was hoping to reduce my postings as I'm becoming quite addicted to seeing my thoughts in print, but I had to reply.

    -- Posted by senior lady on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, at 5:00 PM
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