Threat forces evacuation of Columbiana school

HANOVERTON — United High School was evacuated this morning after the school received a threatening message, the second in two days.

Vindicator broadcast partner 21 WFMJ-TV reported that Columbiana County authorities are investigating the threats. Superintendent Steve Viscounte told the news station that the first threat came in Tuesday night.

Someone left a threatening message on the high school secretary’s voice mail at around 7 p.m. As a precaution, Viscounte says that some students were kept on buses outside the school this morning. Students who were already inside the building were moved to the auditorium as police searched the building.

Nothing was found and classes resumed, the TV station reported.

A second, similar call was received later this morning. This time the school was evacuated.

Students were taken to a nearby church to wait for their parents to pick them up and take them home.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Columbiana County Sheriff, Winona and Hanoverton Fire Departments were all called to the scene. Bomb-sniffing dogs from Kent were also called to search the school, 21 News said.