‘New threats’ lead to cancellation of classes | News, Sports, Jobs

RAYLAND — Buckeye High School announced on social media and through a mass appeal Tuesday night that school would be canceled Wednesday due to “no more threats.”

“We are closing to protect our students and give law enforcement time to investigate,” the message posted on social media says. “Together we are Buckeye Local.”

Buckeye Local School District staff could not be reached for further comment.

The middle and high school were placed on partial lockdown and all extracurricular activities were cancelled Monday morning after staff were informed of an anonymous threat made on the social media platform Snapchat.

An investigation is underway into the Snapchat account that posted the threat and the person or people who created it, Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. said Tuesday night. Multiple law enforcement and other agencies, as well as parents, are involved.

Abdalla said parents should be “vigilant” by monitoring their children’s activity on social media, especially Snapchat. Parents should tell their children that if they receive or see any type of threat on Snapchat or another platform, they should report it to their parents immediately and contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department at (740) 283-8600.

Parents should also advise their children to refrain from sharing or reposting any screenshots or threats they may have seen, Abdalla said. They should notify their parents immediately and contact the sheriff’s office.

Threats were also reportedly made against Weir Middle School on Monday and against Martins Ferry City Schools on Tuesday.

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