Bomb threat at courthouse

A bomb threat triggered the brief evacuation of the Del Norte County  Courthouse at 12:50 p.m. on Tuesday.

The premises on H and 4th streets was cleared and surrounding downtown streets closed off to traffic for about an hour.

No explosives were discovered by officials from the California Highway Patrol, Crescent City Fire Department, Del Norte Sheriff’s Office, Crescent City Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office.

An investigation is ongoing, according to CHP Sgt. Rick Thoma.

The trouble allegedly began in the courthouse bathroom: someone overheard a conversation that alluded to explosives and then reported the incident to a courthouse clerk, Thoma said.

Still, he expressed some doubts about the credibility of the source, adding: “Some of what she said was suspect.”

“‘Bomb threat’ is a general term, but if someone suggests there might be explosives we have to do the right thing,” Thoma said.

This was the third bomb threat this month to force an evacuation in downtown Crescent City.