Police, 3 Valley school districts probe rumors of threats

Staff report

Three local school districts and police investigated rumors of threats this week and found no credible evidence of actual threats, according to The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, 21 WFMJ-TV.

Among the schools was Hubbard High School, which investigated a rumor that started on social media.

Hubbard Superintendent Rich Buchenic said Tuesday night that given the current climate, the district immediately implements its crisis intervention plan and gets police involved whenever any rumors are reported.

“Our administrators in each building will look into that situation and if any students’ names are brought up or any names brought up, they will be brought to the office and they’ll do an investigation and determine whether any action should be taken.”

In one of the other districts, Struthers, authorities believe that the rumor at their high school was tied to a belief that the ancient Maya civilization predicted that the world will end Friday, despite many expert opinions disputing that belief.