World War Two grenade found at post office

STEVENS POINT—Around 10:00 a.m., Stevens Point Police Officers were alerted about a potential explosive device found at the Stevens Point Post Office.  

In a press release, officials announced the device remained inside the post office and the building was evacuated. As a result, Main Street had been shut down to vehicles and pedestrians. 

Around noon, the post office was able to reopen and Main Street was opened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

The Marathon County Bomb Squad and a bomb sniffing dog from Wood County were called to assist the Stevens Point Police Department at the Stevens Point Post Office. 

The Marathon County Bomb Squad was able to scan the potential explosive device, and 

found there were no explosives in the device.

At approximately 11:45 a.m., the potential explosive device was determined to be an inert World War Il German Grenade. With the assistance of the bomb sniffing dog, the rest of the post office was cleared, and no explosives were located.

The criminal investigation was taken over by the Federal Post Master and Investigators.

Portage County Clerk, Maria Davis, stated the post office’s temporary closure had no impact on the distribution of absentee ballots. 

"Local law enforcement did an incredible job resolving the situation efficiently and thoroughly to ensure there was no threat to the public and that operations could resume as quickly as possible," Davis said. “I have been in communication with both local law enforcement and the Stevens Point Post Office to confirm that absentee ballots will not be affected on Election Day."