Bomb Threats, Busy Crime Log, and a Heroic Officer in Chillicothe

Good evening, Chillicothe. Here’s a quick look at what’s been happening around town as the first full weekend of February gets underway.

Schools on alert after fourth bomb threat

The Huntington Local School District spent Thursday under heightened security after receiving its fourth bomb threat in less than two weeks. The call came in through the Ross County Sheriff’s Office early in the morning, prompting a modified lockdown while classes continued.

Law enforcement remained on campus throughout the day, with additional monitoring equipment set up to keep an eye on activity around the school. Federal investigators are working with local authorities to trace the source of the repeated threats, which have rattled students, staff, and families but have not led to any confirmed explosives.

Busy day for Ross County deputies

A newly released Ross County Sheriff’s Office crime log for February fifth shows deputies responding to a steady stream of calls across the county. The day included crashes, theft complaints, domestic incidents, and several calls involving mental health concerns and juveniles.

Among the notable cases were a two-semi crash on US‑35 near Richmond Dale that fortunately caused no injuries, and a separate crash on County Road 550 where both drivers were taken to Adena Regional Medical Center for evaluation. Many of the other runs involved routine checks and follow-ups that still kept patrols moving from early morning into the night.

Off-duty Chillicothe officer praised after fiery crash

An off-duty Chillicothe police officer is being commended for his response to a deadly crash in neighboring Pickaway County. The officer came upon a burning vehicle near State Route 752 and Winchester Road last month, pulled the driver away from the flames, and provided emergency medical aid until first responders arrived.

Despite those efforts, the crash victim did not survive. A formal letter of commendation from the Pickaway County sheriff notes that the officer’s quick actions and willingness to stop still reflected great credit on him and on the Chillicothe Police Department.

Weekend events and winter chill

Locally, residents are heading into a busy Saturday that includes a library book sale at the Chillicothe Public Library and evening worship at First United Methodist Church. Earlier today, downtown businesses welcomed visitors for the annual Chocolate Walk, offering sweet samples and a boost for Main Street merchants.

All of this comes as Ross County sits in a stretch of midwinter cold, with recent snow and single-digit wind chills making for slick spots and bitter mornings. If you’re heading out tonight or to Sunday services, plan for icy sidewalks, bundle up, and give yourself a little extra time on the roads.

Sources

• https://sciotovalleyguardian.com/2026/02/05/huntington-schools-face-fourth-bomb-threat-in-two-weeks-classes-continue-under-heightened-security/
• https://sciotovalleyguardian.com/2026/02/06/ross-co-sheriff-crime-log-february-5-2026/
• https://sciotovalleyguardian.com/2026/02/06/off-duty-chillicothe-officer-commended-after-stopping-to-help-in-fiery-crash/
• https://www.chillicothevoice.com/calendar
• https://forecast.weather.gov/zipcity.php?inputstring=45601
• https://littermedia.com/downtown-chillicothe-business-pumped-for-2026-chocolate-walk/