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The Times-Republican received a bomb threat via email Thursday which was determined not to be credible by police.
The T-R assisted the Marshalltown Police in the search and business operations were not impacted, Publisher Abigail Pelzer said.
Capt. Brian Batterson of the MPD said he was not aware of other local businesses receiving the email threat, but the one sent to the T-R was part of a nationwide hoax started Nov. 30.
"There are businesses around the state and nationwide which have received them," he said. "None are credible … different businesses have been targeted as well as airports and police departments."
Bomb threats were being investigated Thursday in Cedar Falls, Des Moines, Nevada and Waterloo, according to media reports.
Sgt. Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police Department says they received reports threats were e-mailed to the Science Center of Iowa, Eyerly Ball, Joseph's Jewelers and the Blank Park Zoo.
Parizek also said the e-mail demands money and appeared to be a part of the nationwide hoax.
Parizek said officers are investigating the incidents but unless devices are found at the location, they are not sending the bomb squad.
The Story County Sheriff's Office said Lincolnway Energy in Nevada also received a bomb threat.
The source of the threats is not yet known. Officers said the wording on the emails varies, but most claim that a bomb has been planted in the building and demand payment, usually in the form of Bitcoin digital currency. Local police are documenting the threats and passing the information to federal authorities.
A number of newspapers across the country were targeted with the email scam.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said they are aware of the threats and are working with law enforcement to provide assistance.
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Contact Mike Donahey at
641-753-6611 or
mdonahey@timesrepublican.com.