UPDATE: Sept. 12, 7:26 p.m.
KINGWOOD, W.Va. (WBOY) — The Preston County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday night that a juvenile is in custody in regard to the threats made toward Preston County Schools that resulted in an early dismissal at Preston High School Thursday.
The release did not provide any further details but did confirm that “no credible threat toward the community is believed to exist at this time.”
As of Thursday evening, Preston County Schools will still remain on a remote learning schedule for Friday, Sept. 13
UPDATE: Sept. 12, 4:55 p.m.
KINGWOOD, W.Va. (WBOY) — After several schools were placed on “precautionary hold,” and Preston High School was dismissed early for a reported threat on Thursday, Superintendent Brad Martin announced in a video that all schools in the county will have a remote learning day on Friday, Sept. 13.
Martin said that “an anonymous message” relating to a possible threat against the high school was received Thursday morning, and law enforcement responded to the scene. During investigation, “names specific to Central Preston were included in another threat,” Martin said.
‘Code Yellow’ at RCB lasted 15 minutes after threat report Thursday morning Central Preston and Kingwood Elementary students were on precautionary hold for the rest of the day. The threats are still being investigated by law enforcement.
UPDATE: Sept. 12, 11:56 a.m.
KINGWOOD, W.Va. (WBOY) — After dismissing Preston High School students for a possible threat Thursday morning, Preston County Schools now says that it has “received a threat specific to Central Preston Middle School.”
In a Facebook post , Preston County Schools said that Central Preston students are still on “precautionary hold,” and law enforcement are expected to remain at the school for the remainder of the day.
As of noon, the school is expected to be dismissed at normal time, but parents and guardians can pick up their children by signing them out at the front window, the post said.
All after-school and extracurricular activities at both Central Preston Middle and Preston High have been canceled for the day.
UPDATE: Sept. 12, 11:22 a.m.
KINGWOOD, W.Va. (WBOY) — Preston County Schools announced that all Preston High School students have been picked up or taken home by bus after a possible threat was made to the school Thursday morning.
WV schools release statements in regard to recent threats The updated post says that law enforcement are still “actively investigating” and that all extra-curricular activities at the high school have been canceled for the day.
“We appreciate the efforts of our school and transportation staff and law enforcement in assisting in an orderly dismissal of students and appreciate parents’ patience as we have been dealing with this difficult situation,” the post said.
The school district also said that additional information will be released later in the day.
ORIGINAL: Sept. 12, 9:55 a.m.
KINGWOOD, W.Va. (WBOY) — Preston High School has been placed on “precautionary hold status” after a possible threat was made against the school.
According to a post from the Preston County Schools Facebook page , officials “received an anonymous message related to a possible threat against Preston High School.”
The post states that law enforcement is on scene; 12 News has reached out to the Preston County Sheriff’s Department, who confirmed that deputies are at the school.
As of now, the Facebook post from Preston County Schools says “the school has been placed in a precautionary hold status while a course of action is planned,” and that the school system is “working on an early dismissal plan” for Preston High School only.
The post also stated that officials are “attempting to dismiss Preston High School students” by 10:30 a.m.
An earlier post from Preston County Schools on Wednesday said it was aware of and monitoring school threats on social media.
It also comes after an FBI statement on Wednesday about school threats in the region:
The FBI is aware of recent threats directed toward multiple school districts across Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We remain in close coordination with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance where appropriate. That includes gathering intelligence, sharing information, tracking down leads, and working with partners to identify and mitigate threats quickly and effectively.
Issuing a threat of any kind promoting violence can be a violation of state and/or federal law. Those found responsible will be thoroughly investigated, and FBI Pittsburgh will immediately engage with our local, state, and federal partners to leverage the full extent of the law.
These threats disrupt school, waste resources, and put first responders and innocent people in unnecessary danger.
FBI Pittsburgh stands committed and ready to respond to any immediate threat involving any educational institution 24 hours a day. We encourage students, teachers, administrators, and parents to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities that could represent a threat to 911, to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online at tips.fbi.gov .
12 News has attempted to contact the Preston County Board of Education but has been unable to leave a message at this time.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.