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Several schools just north of Alton, Illinois were placed on lockdown today.

Officials with the Southwestern Community School District #9 sent a letter to parents last night telling them that they discovered a possible threat to students. There was an increased police presence at several schools and backpacks, large bags, and coats were not allowed on the campuses today.

Schools that saw heightened security included Southwestern Middle School, Southwestern High School, Brighton North Elementary, Brighton West Elementary, Medora Elementary and Shipman Elementary.

 

   A Kirkwood middle school student will answer to the juvenile courts after allegedly threatening gun violence at Nipher Middle School Wednesday.  

   Kirkwood police say the student had made threats against two classmates and the school in general while speaking with two acquaintances.  They alerted school officials of the threats.  

   The student was taken into custody.  

   Police say there is no indication that the student had tried to act on the threats. And student's family told police that the child doesn't have access to guns.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — An attorney for a Southern Illinois University student released from prison says his client hopes to resume his education.

Olutosin Oduwole was convicted of threatening a violent rampage but an appeals court threw out the conviction last week. The aspiring rapper was freed on Monday.