WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – A Connexus Credit Union branch here has been deemed “clear” following a bomb threat that led to its temporary closure and the evacuation of nearby businesses earlier on Friday, according to the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune.
The Wisconsin Rapids Police Department announced at 2:42 p.m. on Facebook that the situation was resolved and thanked the Wood County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance.
Police Chief Daniel Hostens told the Daily Tribune earlier in the day that while the threat appeared to be unfounded, the department acted out of “an abundance of caution.” Authorities initially alerted the public via Facebook at 1:30 p.m., urging people to avoid the area while a bomb-sniffing dog was brought in to investigate.
Connexus spokesperson Laura Huggins confirmed there was a “reported security threat” at the branch but declined to provide additional details due to the active nature of the situation. She confirmed all employees were safe and accounted for, the Daily Tribune said.
Huggins initially said the branch would likely remain closed for the rest of the day, but the police later updated their statement, saying the branch would “be reopening shortly.”