School Supt. Matt Fisher issues directions to students and staff outside the school building, as law officers in the background tend to their duties. High school students and staff members gathered outside along East 9th Street as law officers and the State Patrol made a more thorough sweep of the school's interior, following a phoned-in bomb threat Friday afternoon. (Republican photos)

    By Jan Schultz
    The Imperial Republican
     As of Tuesday, no arrests had been made related to Friday's bomb threat at Chase County Schools.
     But, Imperial Police Chief Larry Browning said they have made very good progress on possible suspects since Friday's incident, which cleared staff and students from the school after a 45-minute lock-down.
     "We have some people of interest," Browning said Tuesday.
     An office secretary took the 2:15 p.m. call Friday, which indicated there was a box that was going to blow in an hour at the school, Supt. Matt Fisher said.
     The secretary indicated the call was "muffled," resulting in some confusion as to whether the caller said the box was already at the school or was to be delivered, Fisher said.
     About five to 10 minutes later, a similar threatening call was made to KADL Radio in Imperial, referring to a bomb at the school, Fisher said.
     Staff from the radio station then alerted school officials of that call.
     Principals Mike Sorensen and Mike Wentz alerted Fisher by phone, who had traveled out-of-town for an SPVA conference meeting that day, and was at the conference track meet in Grant when he received the call. He immediately left and returned to Imperial.
     Law officers from the Imperial police department, sheriff's office and State Patrol were on the scene shortly after being alerted by the school, Fisher said, and began securing the building.
     Chief Browning said it was important, initially, to lock-down the building while they took a quick sweep of the interior, as well as checking the grounds and other areas outside.
     Browning said the custodial staff, especially, was valuable as they searched areas inside. The custodial staff was more familiar with items that should or shouldn't be in those areas, Browning said, such as closets and other areas not getting a lot of traffic.
     That allowed officers to check hallways, the unoccupied classrooms and areas outdoors more quickly, he said.
     Once it was determined there was no danger, the students and staff were moved outside, following fire alarm procedures, Fisher said.
     The superintendent agreed with Browning that the school not evacuate until officers determined if it was a credible threat and the outside is secured.
     "Until then, we keep them inside," Fisher said.
     After everyone was outdoors, officers and school staff did a more thorough search, including lockers where any unidentifiable packages were reviewed, Fisher said.
     Browning said no bomb was ever found indoors or outdoors.
     As Fisher gathered with a group of high school students along East 9th St., he told them there had been a "bomb threat," and they would not be allowed back in the school then.
     Parents were allowed to come pick up their children and had to sign out with the teacher they were with. Students also boarded busses at the regular time, and they left about on schedule.
     Several teachers and students were stranded, as their car keys and other important items were inside the school building.
     The okay was given by law officers to reopen the building about 5 p.m. Friday, but all rooms remained locked. Students were able to retrieve items then if still on the scene, but had to have a staff member open the rooms with their keys.
     All three administrators also opened the school Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m. for retrieval of belongings.
     Initially, three young men were detained by officers during the ordeal, Browning said. They were spotted in the area by a State Trooper on the scene, and had been reported by other witnesses as being nearby on the fairgrounds close to the time of the ordeal.
     They were eventually released, but remain of interest, Browning said.
     There were attempts to call in a bomb-sniffing dog and its State Patrol handler, but Fisher and Browning both said it was not feasible due to how far away they were.
     There was a "debriefing session" Monday after school with school staff, law enforcement and civil defense personnel.
     "The staff did a great job keeping kids calm and reassuring them," Fisher said Monday.
     He also appreciated the cooperation of all the law enforcement officers involved from all three departments.
     Browning is working with investigators from the Nebraska State Patrol as evidence continues to be gathered.
    Threat is felony
     Threatening the use of explosives or reporting a false bomb is a Class IV felony in Nebraska State Statutes.
     It carries a penalty of five years in prison, or a $10,000 fine or both.