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Our view: ‘Do-nothing’ label unfair to Casey

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TAN carries Wilkes-Barre through January, annual loan funds operations until revenues roll in

<p>Postings on social media over the weekend perceived as threats sparked concerns within two area school districts.</p><p>A picture of a female juvenile holding two toy firearms with the caption, &#8220;Wvw next&#8221; was posted on Facebook on Saturday, apparently referring to Wyoming Valley West. Separately, a man on Friday posted comments: &#8220;Why couldn&#8217;t that have been Tunkhannock,&#8221; and &#8220;Would be doin the world a favor.&#8221;</p><p>The postings came just days after 17 people, mostly students, were killed in a shooting at a Florida high school on Feb. 14.</p><p>Wyoming Valley West Superintendent Irvin DeRemer could not be reached for comment Monday. There was no school for Wyoming Valley West in honor of President&#8217;s Day.</p><p>Swoyersville Police Chief David Latoski said a juvenile, who resides in Swoyersville, was questioned about the picture.</p><p>&#8220;We take everything seriously. As a police officer, you have to investigate all sides and look in the middle for the truth,&#8221; Latoski said. &#8220;I understand parents are angry and upset, but as a parent of a student at Valley West, I&#8217;m sending my (child) to school on Tuesday.&#8221;</p><p>Latoski said his department and a detective from the Luzerne County district attorney&#8217;s office are investigating.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;re going through all leads and I can say everyone is cooperating. The perpetrator or perpetrators will be found,&#8221; Latoski said.</p><p>Latoski said he was not aware of any other threats toward the Wyoming Valley West School District, which has school buildings in Plymouth, Larksville and Kingston.</p><p><strong>Tunkhannock call</strong></p><p>Parents of students attending Tunkhannock Area received an automated phone call Sunday from Superintendent Heather McPherson.</p><p>Tunkhannock Area had school Monday as a snow make-up day, according to its website.</p><p>&#8220;Given the recent events in Florida and inflammatory content on social media over the weekend, I realize that many parents are concerned about safety. (Sunday) afternoon, the district met with multiple law enforcement and security representatives to implement a response. We&#8217;ve done this not because we believe that there is any imminent threat to students or staff, but because we recognize that the community is concerned,&#8221; McPherson stated in her message to parents.</p><p>McPherson did not return a message for comment to determine if there was a higher absentee rate on Monday.</p><p>In her phone message Sunday, McPherson left the decision to parents to send their children to school.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Threats on social media cause area school districts to react