Vague threat cancels Evers visit to Hurley school

The Hurley Public School District announced that a Sept. 10 visit of Gov. Tony Evers was canceled after a concerning social media post presented safety concerns.

The email was generic in general and provided no direct threat to the school or any individual, said School District Administrator Kevin Genisot in a post on the school Facebook page. Gov. Evers was expected to arrive the same day to welcome Hurley students and staff to the new school year as part of his travel to the region.

The Governor’s security team and the Wisconsin State Patrol officer at the school at the time reviewed the limited information available and decided, out of an abundance of caution, to cancel the school visit, Genisot said. The visit was not rescheduled immediately due to the governor’s schedule.

The Hurley Police Department and other law enforcement agencies verified the information for all concerned individuals. Upon further investigation there appeared to be no immediate threat to the school, staff, students, or the Governor, according to Genisot.

“We were never placed in a lockdown as the information didn’t warrant it, and the school was filled with police officers anticipating the governor’s arrival as well,” Genisot said in the announcement. “Most people wouldn’t be aware of anything happening, but as stories tend to get fabricated, we want clear information sent to everyone who may hear something.”