Police were on the scene at the Athens-Clarke Count Courthouse Thursday, where a bomb threat was called in at about 1:40 p.m.

A court employee received a telephone call indicating there was a bomb in the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse, Capt. Hayden Hodges, a spokesman for the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, said in a news release.

The sheriff’s office immediately began the evacuation of the building, located on East Washington Street in downtown Athens.

Everyone was outside by 1:55 p.m., Hodges said.

A K9 unit arrived by 2:14 to conduct a sweep of the courthouse, during which a K9 alerted to a potential area. As a precaution, the U.G.A.P.D. Bomb Disposal Unit was called to investigate the area.

The area was deemed clear by the Bomb Disposal Unit and the courthouse was re-opened for normal business at 4:30 p.m., Hodges said.

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department was contacted to conduct an investigation into the matter. The incident is being investigated at this time.

About the Author

Keep Reading

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com