Chemical threat closes Herald Gazette

The Herald Gazette office on Greenwood Street was shut down around 12:45 p.m. Thursday due to a chemical threat. Anyone who needs to contact the Herald Gazette office can call 770-567-3446.Publisher Walter Geiger opened a letter filled with an unidentified white powder. The office was evacuated by the Barnesville Police Department and Lamar County Sheriff’s Office. Staff members present at the time have been quarantined. Neighboring businesses have been evacuated. Greenwood Street is cordoned off as authorities await the arrival of a decontamination unit. UPDATE 5p.m.: A postal investigator has tested the air outside the building. Three FBI agents, including the special agent in charge of the Macon office, are staging in the area awaiting an FBI hazmat response team.The FBI is en route to investigate the incident.More to follow.