Cloquet, Int’l Falls, Littlefork schools evacuated after threats

Schools in Cloquet, International Falls, and Littlefork were evacuated today following bomb threats, but police said no explosives were found.

The Cloquet Police Department said both Cloquet High School and Cloquet Middle School were given the all clear after searches Wednesday afternoon. Students had been evacuated to nearby churches but were later returned to the schools.

Cloquet Police said the threat was received by the high school by telephone, while the International Falls Police Department said the telephone threat against Falls High School was received by Koochiching County dispatchers. The Littlefork-Big Falls School District did not disclose how its threat was received.

Police said the threat received by Cloquet High School was identical to one recently received by Esko High School, and that other schools in Minnesota reported receiving similar threats on Wednesday.

"Even though it appears the threat is a recording and repetitious, public safety is taking the necessary steps to ensure the buildings are safe for their students and staff," a Cloquet Police news release said.

Cloquet Police asked anyone with information regarding the threat to call them at 821-879-1247. Anonymous tips can be texted to 888777 with the words TIP CLOQUETPD followed by the message.

Meanwhile, International Falls Police said a bomb threat was made to a specific area of Falls High School. The International Falls police and fire departments used equipment capable of detecting explosives and did not find any suspicion of a bomb.

All after-school activities at both Cloquet Middle School and Cloquet High School have been canceled.