Bomb threat forces evacuations of downtown Leavenworth late Tuesday

A bomb threat forced evacuations in downtown Leavenworth late Tuesday night.

According to a media release from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office posted on Twitter, an anonymous male called the threat in on Dec. 29, advising that there was an explosive device in a garbage can in the 800 block of Front Street. Chelan County Deputies and the Washington State Patrol immediately responded and began evacuations of the downtown corridor.

**Chelan County Sheriff's Office Media Release** pic.twitter.com/UZDtlhoDlU

— Chelan Sheriff (@chelansheriff) December 30, 2020

Those outside the area were asked to shelter in place. Highway 2 was closed for several hours.

The Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad assisted after containment was established, responding “through the difficult weather,” the sheriff’s office writes, with a systematic search of the area.

In a Facebook post, Cascade Medical Center said its emergency room was still seeing patients but the staff was sheltering in place and lockdown procedures had been engaged.

It is not yet known if a device was found. As of 2 a.m., the area was determined to be clear and Highway 2 reopened. Evacuation and shelter-in-place orders were lifted.

According to the city’s webcams, typical behavior resumed on Wednesday. Customers were spotted under tents for outdoor eating, children were sledding on the sledding hill, and people were patiently waiting in line outside the portable toilets.

The investigation is ongoing by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Unit.

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