By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Hillsboro Community Hospital was one of at least 10 Kansas businesses to get an emailed bomb threat Thursday.

The bomb threat, which included a demand for money, was sent to two hospital employees about 1:40 p.m. and the building was evacuated, Hillsboro assistant police chief Jessey Hiebert said.

“We notified KBI, and they said, ‘Can you send us the email?’” Hiebert said. “They said the email had arrived all over the country. There was a federal investigation already going.”

Taking no chances, officers from Hillsboro, the sheriff’s office, and Kansas Highway Patrol converged on the scene.

The Hillsboro police department requested help from the KHP bomb dogs about 2:30 p.m.

KHP sent three explosive-sniffing dogs to assist.

About 5:40 p.m., troopers said the dogs found no indication of any explosive devices.

KHP public resource officer Ben Gardner said the agency has eight explosive-sniffing dogs, and 11 narcotics-sniffing dogs.

“These guys are always on call and always doing training, and can come from all over the state,” Gardner said.

The threat is believed to be part of a nationwide hoax. So are eight bomb threats made to businesses in Wichita and another to a business in Great Bend.

Nationwide, dozens of businesses and schools were targeted Thursday, with some threats demanding money, according to news reports.