Threats prompt school closure

Pioneer School District closed Monday due to alleged online posts that said someone was coming to the middle school with a weapon, according to Superintendent Jeff Davis.

Davis decided to shut down the school until police could investigate, he told the Journal in an email.

“On Sunday evening, a student sent our middle school principal some social media threads that mentioned someone coming to the middle school on Monday with a weapon. Our principal contacted the Sheriff’s Department and provided the information. Based on the information that was provided, I made the decision to close school for the safety of our students and staff,” Davis said.

School resumed Tuesday.

“The Mason County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating the matter, and we are in close communication with them to stay updated,” the district said in a statement.

The district has approximately 700 students from Oakland Bay, Agate, Harstine Island, and Grant who attend elementary through middle school.

Fireworks cause scare

Shelton High School and Oakland Bay Junior High School were briefly locked down Tuesday morning after a report of gunshots in the SHS parking lot.

Deputies determined fireworks made the noises, according to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

“Shelton High School and Oakland Bay Junior High School were both locked down, and the first officer was on scene within two minutes of the call being dispatched. It was determined that there was no threat, and the discharges heard were from fireworks,” according to a MCSO statement.

Police received the call at 9:20 a.m. and MCSO, Shelton Police Department, Washington State Patrol and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife responded.

The lockdown was lifted as soon as police found there was no threat.