BFHS hit with eighth bomb threat

BONNERS FERRY — The bomb threat reported on Thursday, March 7, was the second one last week at Bonners Ferry High School and the eighth one reported this school year.

Similar to all the other bomb threats, this one was written on a stall wall but in the restroom part of the boy’s locker room. The students were evacuated at 11:45 a.m.

Bathroom monitors and signing out of class to use the bathrooms hasn’t stopped the bomb threats, so the school board decided to close campus.

Starting on Monday, March 11, a modified closed campus began at the high school. Students are allowed outside the building but cannot leave the school grounds without permission, said high school principal Kirk Hoff.

An assembly was held Monday morning for school officials to explain the decision to close the campus and teachers also talked about it in their classrooms.

Additionally, the BFHS leadership group is holding a schoolwide assembly with guest speakers today to talk to students  about the frustration the threats are causing and the financial cost to the community.

“We hope that through continued education of our students we can cause a change in our current environment,” said Supt. Richard Conley in a letter to parents, students and the community. “Most of our students are as frustrated as everyone else and with perseverance, we will get through the current problems.”

“It is a priority for the police department to bring these to a conclusion,” said Bonners Ferry Police Chief Steve Benkula. “The students are becoming actively involved...a right step.”

The police department is still investigating last week’s bomb threats. A student has been suspended in connection with one of the recent bomb threats at the high school.

A juvenile has also been identified in connection with one of the middle school bomb threats.

Charges have been referred to the County Prosecutor’s office and the case is sealed. Under Idaho Code 18-3313, any person falsely reporting a bomb is guilty of a felony and upon conviction could be sentenced up to five years in a state penitentiary.

There is still a $1,000 reward being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprit(s).