South students evacuated following bomb threat

LIMA — The third bomb threat in as many weeks in the Lima school district forced the evacuation of Lima South Middle School Friday afternoon.The threat was called into the Lima Police Department at 12:30 p.m., Sgt. Jason Garlock said. The building was cleared for re-entry around 3 p.m.Students were taken by bus to Unity Elementary School to be picked up by parents are taken home on their regular bus routes.“It went very, very well,” Superintendent Karel Oxley said. “All the students were dismissed from Unity.”Oxley praised school staff for their quick response. The first team of responders for such situations was out of the building, she said. “Our second team stepped up and handled everything immediately.”South includes the science-technology magnet school, alternative school and district administrative offices.Two bomb threats evacuated Lima Senior High School twice in the past two weeks. An arrest has been made in one of the incidents. Oxley said the matter is in the Lima Police Department’s hands now and stressed its seriousness.“This faces a prison sentence,” she said. In addition to the loss of class time, the threats create stress.“Parents always worry about the safety of their children, even if it’s just a threat,” she said. “It takes a toll on families it creates undue stress.”Lima Police Maj. Chip Protsman said police were starting an investigation into the phone call Friday afternoon. Bomb threats were called into Lima Senior High School on Feb. 29 and March 6.Paul Minor Jr. is charged with inducing panic for the March 6 threat. The charge is a second-degree felony, which means Minor could be held in a prison for children until he turns 21. The investigation into the first threat continues.Protsman doesn’t believe any of the three threats are connected, but said local officials are fed up with the threats and the disruptions they cause for police agencies and schools, as well as the public.You can comment on this story at LimaOhio.com.