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Governor Evacuated From Round-Up Grounds
Bomb threat found to be a hoax
(Pendleton, OR) – Pursuant to Oregon State Police protocol, Governor Kulongoski was evacuated from the Pendleton Round-Up grounds at 2:30 p.m. today after the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous bomb threat by telephone.
The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office received the phoned threat today at 2:00 p.m. from an anonymous caller who stated that nine bombs had been placed on the Round-Up grounds and were set to detonate at 3:00 p.m. The Sheriff’s office responded immediately, with assistance from the Oregon State Police, Pendleton City Police, Tribal Police, and the Pendleton Round-Up Board of Directors. Following established security protocol, public safety officials conducted a thorough search of the Round-Up Grounds; no detonation devices were found and the threat was determined to be a hoax. No public evacuation was necessary.
The governor attended several Round-Up events today and was planning to attend the Indian Dance and Awards ceremony prior to his evacuation; in keeping with OSP protocol, he will not return to the Round-Up this evening.
“I am disappointed that an individual would attempt to disrupt one of Oregon’s most beloved community celebrations with a hoax of this nature – but Oregonians should take comfort in the fact that our public safety organizations responded quickly and aggressively to ensure that the public was safe,” said the governor. “I want to thank the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Pendleton City Police, Oregon State Police, Tribal Police and the Pendleton Round-Up Board of Directors for their expert handling of this potential threat.”
Public safety officials will remain onsite to monitor the remainder of the Round-Up.
Media Contact:
Marian Hammond, (503) 378-6169
Anna Richter Taylor, (503) 378-6496
Round-Up Press Office, (503) 276-0302
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