Anthrax Scare Closes School

A suspicious package containing white powder shut down a Gilmer County school Wednesday morning.

The package arrived at Gilmer County High School before students were in class because of a delayed start due to weather, according to a spokesman from Gilmer County schools.

The situation has since been cleared. The substance was found not to be anthrax but it was taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's lab for exam.

News Chopper 2 was over the school and video from the scene showed several fire trucks and police vehicles outside the school.

Students driving to school were turned away before they reached the campus.

Students arriving by bus were held in the gym until their parents could pick them up.

The GBI and the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office are handling the case. Police called in the Cherokee County HAZMAT team to handle the package and the powder.

A similar package with white powder was sent to the Gilmer County Government Office on Tuesday.

An investigation determined that powder was harmless.

The FBI is investigating both incidents.