Mount Nittany Middle School received a message indicating that bombs would be set off in the school today, making this the third bomb threat in the State College Area School District .

The message was received Friday afternoon via computer and was printed out on the main office printer. The message indicated that the bombs would go off at the middle school and the High School North building.

Sgt. John Gardner said the State College Police Department is implementing safety measures, including a search of all the school buildings prior to class. Gardner also said there are plans for police presence throughout the day.

And although this is the third threat toward the State College School district, this is the first one that has been sent from a computer. The first threat, which targeted the High School South building, was a written message hung on a wall. The second message was also a written message which targeted the High School North building.

In April 1999, bombs made by two students were detonated in the High School North building, resulting in the injury of a teacher. The bombs were supposed to be an April Fool's joke, said Superintendent Patricia Best, however, one 18-year-old man was charged with possessing a weapon on school property, recklessly endangering another person, criminal conspiracy to commit institutional vandalism and criminal mischief. The other person involved was a 16-year-old boy who was handled through the juvenile justice system.

President of the school board, Constance Martin, would not comment on parent reactions or additional safety measures. Neither Superintendent Best, nor Assistant to the Superintendent Cameron Baushe could be reached for comment.

The State College police urge anyone with any information about the incident to contact police at 234-7150 or (800) 479-0050, or to contact the school administrators at 466-5135 or 231-1111.