A device that was "capable of being an explosive," that was discovered alongside Highway 140 on Oct. 29, turned out to be a pipe with caps on the end. However, it did not contain any explosive material.

The initial call about the device came in from Caltrans workers doing shoulder clean-up west of Spring Hill High School. Local authorities alerted the Merced Police Department’s Bomb Squad, and it responded to the location.

The highway was closed as a precaution. It remained so for about three hours, causing an inconvenience to motorists. There was never, however, any threat to students at Spring Hill.

Assistant Superintendent Aaron Rosander commented following the incident. “There were no reported mishaps and our schools and students were never in any danger,” he said. “Though some bus routes were altered, there were no significant delays and all students are safely in route home.”