No bomb found after threats cancel classes

Police used dogs to search the grounds of both O'Hara Catholic School and Marist High School on Tuesday after threatening notes were found at both schools.

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Story Published: Jan 6, 2009 at 9:18 AM PST

By Kim Quintero KVAL News and KVAL Web Staff

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EUGENE, Ore. -- A bomb threat prompted two private Catholic schools in Eugene, Ore., to close for the day while police investigated.

Police from Eugene and Portland took part in 6 hours of searching. No bomb or other device were found.

The situation started when a threatening note was found at O'Hara Catholic School on 18th Avenue around 6:50 a.m.

The note also mentioned Marist High School, across the Willamette River to the north. A second threatening note was later found at Marist.

Both are private Catholic schools. O'Hara serves students in pre-school through 8th grades.

Police considered the threat credible and deployed the local Metro Explosives Disposal Unit. Eugene also requested assistance from the Portland police, the Port of Portland canine unit and the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad.

"I think it's scary because anytime it could go off. And we're not sure what it is and if it's really there or not," said Hannah Salbador, an O'Hara Catholic School 6th grade student.

Police were at both schools investigating until 1:15 p.m. Monday. A perimeter was set up to keep people away from the schools while bomb-sniffing dogs swept the two schools looking for signs of an explosive device.

"Well, they're not finding anything so that's good," said Diana Bert, O'Hara Catholic School Principal.

Today was the first day of classes for Marist after the holiday break. Classes had resumed at O'Hara on Monday.

Teachers and students were inside Marist at the time of the threat and had to be evacuated.

Classes will resume Wednesday.

The following is a press release from Marist High School

Marist Catholic High School: Today someone made a serious threat against our school. The safety of our students comes first therefore we will not be having school today. We will resume classes tomorrow at 8:00am on an A schedule. Coaches will contact all athletes regarding practice and basketball will still be traveling to Sisters today as planned. Again your coaches will contact you with details.

Jay Conroy

Principal

Marist High School

The following photographs are captured from video shot by photojournalist Jon Simmons:

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