By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – After receiving notification the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 15 of a possible threat made toward Helena Middle School for the following school day, the Helena Police Department assured parents and those in the community that the threat was not credible, according to a release from the department.

“HPD conducted a thorough investigation and determined that there is no credible threat to Helena Middle School. We are confident that no students or faculty are in any danger,” the post read.

The department went on to share that they are providing an increased presence of officers at Helena Middle School on Jan. 16 to help ease any potential concerns.

Helena Police said the alleged threat began from a rumor that had been started.

“Through diligent work, the actual source of that rumor was identified and located and they admitted that they started the rumor purposely as a joke,” the post read.

This post will be updated if more information becomes available.