Members of the Ohio University community are encouraged to avoid Court Street in uptown Athens until 4 p.m. today as Athens police continue to investigate a bomb threat at the Athens County Courthouse.
Capt. Tom Pyle of the Athens Police Department said the threat was received at the Athens County 911 center late this morning. Because the time of the threatened explosion was noon, Pyle said at 12:30 p.m. that police believe the threat was a hoax, but they are taking every possible precaution.
Buildings along Court Street -- both businesses and residences -- from Union Street to Washington Street and one block in either direction were evacuated, and the street was closed. Bomb-sniffing dogs were brought to the courthouse to aid officers.
Pyle said he expected the buildings to reopen between 3:30 and 4 p.m.
David Hopka, Ohio University's assistant vice president for safety and risk management, was on the scene.
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