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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Bradley County Courthouse reopened after evacuation prompted by envelope with powder inside opened

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photo Bradley County and Cleveland emergency responders evacuated the county courthouse Wednesday as a precaution during an anthrax scare. Employees of the circuit court clerk’s office where taken to the yellow tent to change clothing and then to SkyRidge Medical Center for an examination.
Arkansas-Ole Miss Live Blog

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Authorities have given the all-clear after the evacuation today of the Bradley County Courthouse.

A court clerk on the second floor of the courthouse had opened an envelope and discovered an unknown white powder inside. The envelope had “State Penitentiary” written on one side.

As a precaution, the entire building was evacuated, according to Bob Gault, spokesman for the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department.

The FBI is evaluating the powder, which was determined to be talcum powder.

Authorities including the Hazardous Material team, Bradley County Sheriff’s Department and Cleveland Police responded the to scene.