Suspicious packages sent to Oregon government buildings
SALEM, Ore. - Authorities in Oregon are investigating suspicious packages sent to government buildings around the state.
Oregon State Police said Monday that some of the packages contained an unknown substance. Police did not say how many packages were received or which government buildings received them. Hazardous materials teams and investigators have responded to the scenes.
The East Oregonian in Pendleton reported that Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer was taken to a hospital for treatment and observation Monday afternoon after opening an envelope addressed to him that contained white powder. The newspaper said Palmer developed a physical reaction.
A letter that arrived at the Washington County Sheriff's Office was opened and read before being resealed and sent off for inspection.
"It was actually difficult to understand," Sgt. Bob Ray with Washington County Sheriff's Office told CBS affiliate KOIN in Portland. "It was difficult to understand, it was hard to comprehend what the exact message was."
The Jackson County Sheriff's Department in southwest Oregon was among the agencies receiving the mailings. The Mail Tribune in Medford reported that the department's rural office in White City discovered a package and that the department's main building was evacuated for about three hours.
The package was turned over to federal authorities. Sheriff's Capt. Nathan Sickler declined to reveal any details about the mailing.
U.S. Postal Inspector Jeremy Leder told KATU-TV in Portland that it is "very likely" the mailings are related. Because letters sent within the state can have different dates of delivery, more letters may arrive at their locations this week, he said.
Leder said he couldn't comment on the content of the letters, but he said there is no reason to believe the general public is at risk.