That's a lot of lunch money

Reward climbs to $10,000 for information about Highland Park High School bomb threats

Crimestoppers and Highland Park ISD have joined forces to raise a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for the rash of recent threats at Highland Park High School. The reward also includes donations from parents.

The increasing reward seems to reflect a growing seriousness about stopping what has been a mounting problem and a nuisance at the school.

There have been a handful of bomb threats at the campus since January, and classes have been canceled twice. In those instances, law enforcement, including the bomb squad and FBI agents, swept the campus but did not find any weaponry.

Although the consensus of parents and district employees alike is that this is an elaborate hoax, tension in the community is at an all-time high.

The high school was put on lockdown February 27 after a box of .22-caliber bullets were found in a boys bathroom. Classes were dismissed around noon. The very next day, yet another threatening letter was found on campus, this time at the top of a staircase. It was the fifth suspicious missive in 2013, but it did not cause a campus closure or lockdown. In an email to parents, principal Walter Kelly characterized the letter as an empty threat.

We believe it is imperative that we not give in to repeated threats. We acknowledge the stress and anxiety that this has caused for our students, staff and families. Our top priority is to keep everyone on our campus safe and secure. The building has been repeatedly searched and determined to be safe. Armed police officers have been on campus all day. We are aggressively pursuing resolution in this series of highly disruptive events.

Campus security, University Park Police and the FBI have been investigating the series of escalating threats this week and have conducted interviews with a number of students.

Tips may be submitted by phone at 1-877-373-TIPS (8477) or online 24 hours a day.

Those interested in contributing to the reward fund should email assistant superintendent Tim Turner at turnert@hpisd.org.

Police have had an increased presence at Highland Park High School as a result of recent threats.

Reader submitted photo

Police have had an increased presence at Highland Park High School as a result of recent threats.

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Animal News

Dallas animal shelter puts limit on intake to avoid spreading disease

DAS

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Dallas' animal shelter is placing limits on taking on dogs to try and avoid spreading illness.

According to a release, Dallas Animal Services is combating a round of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD) that is making dogs at the shelter ill.

Testing is taking place to understand the underlying cause, to determine the proper cleaning and medical protocols so the disease does not spread further, and they are awaiting lab results.

For the safety of Dallas dogs, DAS will begin temporarily limiting intake over the counter to critically sick or injured dogs.

DAS encourages struggling pet owners that are considering surrendering their pets to visit www.bedallas90.org/pet-resources to access pet support resources and DAS’ Home to Home Program, which helps residents locate adopters and avoid the shelter.

Residents who find friendly lost dogs are asked to help out by scheduling a time to have them vaccinated, then taking them home for three days while their vaccines take effect.

DAS will provide resources to help find the dog’s owner and if unsuccessful, the finder can bring the dog into DAS.

Finders can make a vaccine appointment by emailing DASPetSupport@dallas.gov, visiting https://das.as.me/vaccine, or calling 214-670-6742. An appointment is required to reduce wait times and limit dog vulnerability.

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