N※N

South Washington County Schools Closed Due to Bomb Threats

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/0 .. n-county-schools-closed-due-to-bomb-threats.html
  Published in House and Home on Monday, February 9th 2026 at 6:02 GMT by Cleveland
      Locale: Minnesota, UNITED STATES

South Washington County, Minnesota - February 9th, 2026 - All schools within the South Washington County School District are closed today, February 9th, 2026, following a series of bomb threats received overnight. The closures impact schools in Cottage Grove, Newport, and Red Wing, leaving thousands of students and staff unable to attend classes. Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the threats, but have thus far found no evidence of explosive devices. Authorities believe the threats are connected to the devastating shooting that occurred at North Memorial Health Clinic in Coon Rapids over the weekend.

The shooting, perpetrated by Liam Conejo-Ramos, resulted in the deaths of five individuals before the shooter took his own life. Crucially, Conejo-Ramos was a former resident of the South Washington County School District, leading investigators to consider the threats a direct response to, or attempt to exploit the emotional fallout from, the clinic tragedy. The timing of the threats, so soon after the shooting, strongly supports this connection.

"We are aware of the threats, and we are taking them very seriously," stated a spokesperson for the South Washington County School District in a press briefing this morning. "The safety of our students and staff is our paramount concern, and after careful consideration and consultation with local law enforcement, we made the difficult decision to close all schools for the day. We understand this causes disruption for families, but we believe it is the most prudent course of action under these circumstances."

Parents and guardians were notified late Sunday evening via email, text message, and the district's website, urging them to keep their children home on Monday. The communication emphasized the proactive nature of the closure, stating it was "out of an abundance of caution." School officials are working closely with the police to assess the credibility of the threats and to ensure a safe learning environment once schools reopen.

The scale of the threat prompted a significantly heightened security presence across the district, with increased patrols around school buildings and grounds over the weekend. While no devices have been discovered, police are conducting thorough searches of all school facilities as a precautionary measure. The FBI has also been brought in to assist with the investigation, offering specialized expertise in threat assessment and crisis management.

The impact extends beyond the immediate disruption to education. Working parents have been forced to scramble for childcare, and many community programs that rely on school facilities have been temporarily suspended. The district is exploring options to provide resources for families impacted by the closure, including potential meal distribution services.

This incident raises critical questions about school safety in the wake of increased gun violence and the potential for copycat threats. Experts in school security are already weighing in, suggesting that districts should review and update their emergency preparedness plans, focusing on rapid communication protocols and threat assessment strategies. Dr. Emily Carter, a leading expert in school crisis intervention, commented, "The Conejo-Ramos tragedy, combined with these bomb threats, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support within schools. We need to identify and address at-risk students before they reach a point of crisis. Increased security measures are important, but they are only one piece of the puzzle."

Local mental health services are also reporting an increase in calls from concerned parents and students seeking support. The South Washington County School District has activated its crisis response team, providing counseling services to students and staff affected by the shooting and the subsequent threats. A dedicated hotline has been established to provide immediate assistance.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information related to the bomb threats to come forward. The district promises to provide regular updates to families and the community as the situation evolves. The question on everyone's mind is when schools will be deemed safe enough to reopen, and what long-term measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. This remains a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.