Lock Down Ends At Bingham County Courthouse

The Bingham County Courthouse lock down ended at about 4 p.m. Friday.

Hazmat teams were unable to identify the white powder substance found in an envelope at the Treasurer’s Office, but determined it posed no health risk.

The scare started around 10:30 a.m., when county commissioners said a female employee was opening envelopes.

She came across one with a check inside, along with about one half teaspoon of small white crystals. Sheriff Dave Johnson described it as being similar to a dish detergent.

The employee was taken to Bingham Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

Johnson said the envelope had a return address, but authorities ahd talked to the sender and do not believe there is any criminal intent.

Commissioners decided to lock down the courthouse around noon. No one could get in and the 300 people inside were unable to leave.

The State of Idaho Hazardous Materials Regional Response Team arrived around 1:30 p.m.

Four men suited up for 90 minutes to run two tests on the substance at the scene.

County commissioner Whitney Manwaring said he was satisfied with the decisions made on Friday. He’d rather be safe than sorry.

“If it was a substance that got airborne and would circulate through the vent system, the heating system through the courthouse, then everybody’s affected by it,” said Manwaring. “That’s why we felt as commissioners it was important to close the courthouse down until we could determine what the substance was.”

The county has been working to develop a protocol for this type of situation. Commissioners said Friday’s events will serve as a learning experience as they move forward.

Sheriff Johnson said the substance will likely be sent to Boise for further testing.