Utica, NYPublished •Verified 2026-10-22

Bomb Threats at Two Utica Schools and Whitesboro's Harts Hill Elementary Cleared

Why it matters here

Three elementary schools in two districts were hit on the same morning; police found nothing, but parents in Utica and Whitesboro may hear more as the investigation continues.

Utica, NY

Anonymous bomb threats hit three elementary schools on Wednesday, Oct. 21: Hughes and Notre Dame in the Utica City School District, and Harts Hill on Clark Mills Road in the Whitesboro district. All three buildings were searched and cleared by about 1 p.m., and everyone was safe, the Rome Sentinel reported. The Utica Phoenix also covered the Harts Hill threat.

The Utica threats came in around 11:30 a.m. Hughes and Notre Dame went into lockdown, then stayed on lockout the rest of the day. Harts Hill was evacuated, and students and staff later went back inside, with dismissal on the usual schedule. Parents could pick children up early.

Utica Police and the Oneida County Sheriff's Office responded. The Sentinel reported no arrests.

Parents should watch for updates from the Utica and Whitesboro districts.

← Back to News Briefs