Bomb scare evacuates school

PALMER -- Students at Palmer Junior Middle School were evacuated Thursday afternoon after an apparent bomb threat was recognized at the school.

According to information from Mat-Su Borough School District spokeswoman Kim Floyd, a student found writing in a stall in the boys' bathroom that included a threat referencing a bomb in the school gymnasium. The student reported the writing to a teacher, who reported it to the school's administration. The administration, Floyd said, made the decision to evacuate the building at 1:38 p.m.

Palmer Police Department and Alaska State Troopers, Floyd said, partnered in blocking off streets around the building while Palmer officers and physical education teachers searched the gymnasium. Nothing out the ordinary was found, Floyd said, and the students were allowed to reenter the building at about 1:50 p.m., in time to gather their belongings and meet buses or rides home.

The short evacuation time, Floyd said, is something the district has been working toward.

"We're practicing evacuation drills on a monthly basis in our schools," Floyd said. "The kids were evacuated quickly and safely. The school did a great job."

Nothing was found, Floyd said, but that doesn't mean the incident will be forgotten about. Palmer police, with help from the school, are investigating the threat.

"We take this very seriously," Floyd said. "It's a threat. It's something that will be addressed very quickly and seriously."