In an update to our earlier reports, officials with the Harlan Police Department today (Thursday) said they were still investigating a bomb threat incident at the Harlan High School located at 2102 Durant Street, and following up on leads. Meanwhile, they are continuing to ask for help from the public. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the H-PD at 712-755-5151.

Police Chief Frank Clark said the incident began to unfold when authorities were notified by school officials at around 12:16-p.m. Wednesday, that was bomb threat had been received at the Harlan High School. Officials would not disclose how the threat was conveyed. Authorities say at around 12:20-p.m., officers arrived at the school and learned district officials followed protocol and evacuated about 1500 students to two separate, safe locations.

The high school and grounds, along with the parking lot were searched, and with no evidence of an explosive device found, the building was turned back over to school officials at around 3:10-p.m. While the search was underway, law enforcement was in contact with the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Other agencies that assisted in handling the incident include: Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office; crews with the Harlan Fire Department; The Iowa State Patrol; Harlan Community School District officials; Shelby County Emergency Management; Shelby County 911; the City of Harlan Public Works Dept.; Medivac Ambulance Service; Shelby County Public Health, and Myrtue Medical Center.