Courthouse Safe After Bomb Threat

Updated 2:20 p.m.

Before 9 this morning, 911 dispatchers received two calls alerting authorities of a bomb in the courthouse, Sheriff Clark Millsap said in a press release.

While a search yielded no suspicious items or containers, an investigation to identify the source of the calls is under way.

K-9 units assisted by Cherokee County sheriff’s K-9s, and the , and conducted thorough inspections of the building, and shortly before noon declared it safe to return to normal operations, according to the release.

To avoid crowds in the area, courthouse employees were allowed to leave and return to work at 2 p.m.

Authorities are asking for tips and any information on the threats; call Crime Stoppers at 770-606-TIPS or the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office at 770-382-5050. Callers to either number may remain anonymous.

Updated 1:20 p.m.

authorities say deputies have searched the courthouse and declared it safe to return to business as normal. The opens at 2 p.m. for normal business. It closed at 9 a.m. following a bomb threat by phone.

Updated 12:20 p.m.

Following a sweep of the building, the courthouse is set to reopen at 2 p.m. A deputy outside said nothing was found during the search, which reportedly included bomb-sniffing dogs.

Nearby streets have reopened.

Original Report

Authorities have evacuated Cartersville's courthouse and annex following a bomb threat at the .

At 8:56 a.m., the courthouse received a phone call including a bomb threat for the building. 

Authorities say those in the area of the facility downtown should be aware of a dangerous situation. Others should delay any courthouse activity until further notice for safety reasons.

Church Street and Cherokee Avenue are among the streets closed, reports.