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* Friday, November 16, 2001 Subdivisions closed by anthrax scare White powder reported dropped from planes over Ringgold area

CHANTAL ESCOTO The Leaf-Chronicle ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A white, granular substance reportedly dropped by one or two small low-flying aircraft Thursday evening covered homes, cars and streets of the Northwind and North Park subdivisions, preventing residents from leaving or returning to their homes.

Initial tests showed that the powder -- similar in appearance to potash -- did not contain anthrax, officials said. Clarksville Fire Department and hazardous materials crews collected about 100 grams of the substance so more tests could be conducted by state laboratory personnel.

Nearly 180 homes were blocked off, but the area most affected was the Timberline Place and Grassmire Court area, police said.

This is the second time the FBI has been called to investigate this type of threat in Clarksville since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The first incident was Oct. 12 when envelopes containing powder -- later determined to be harmless -- were found taped to two automatic teller machines.

On Thursday, residents of the affected area were told to turn off their heating and air conditioning units and stay inside to make sure the powder didn't spread. Family members trying to return to the area of Ringgold Road, 101st Airborne Parkway and Fort Campbell Boulevard were turned away and told to assemble at Grandpa's outdoor store on the boulevard. Later, Ringgold Elementary School was set up as a temporary shelter.

Director of Schools Sandra Husk came to the school and said a determination on whether to close the school would be made at about 4 a.m. today, similar to the procedure for a snow day.

Mayor Johnny Piper came assess the situation because of the potential contamination of so many residents.

"Our No. 1 concern is to guard people's safety," Piper said. "This is different from the other threats because of the method in which it was delivered. We're doing everything we can."

The report of the powder was received by 911 just after 5:30 p.m. After police did an initial investigation, fire officials, county and city hazardous materials teams and other emergency crews responded. Then police blocked off the questionable areas. Officers used a public address system to broadcast information and went door-to-door warning people about the potential threat and telling them to stay in their homes.

"It does concern me that our city residents have to go through this and be confined to their homes," Piper said.

The mayor estimated the area would be shut down until about 10 a.m. today.

Fire Chief Mike Roberts said although the substance tested negative for anthrax, it could still be dangerous. "There appears to be a lot of substance. We don't know what it is until it's tested, but it could be an organic phosphate or pesticide."

Investigators are trying to determine the type of aircraft that flew over the subdivisions and are working with Fort Campbell and Outlaw Field Airport officials.

Police Capt. Bob Davis said at least one of the planes was detected on Fort Campbell's radar. "We're hoping between now and daylight they'll be able to tell what (the substance) is," Davis said. "This is very serious and that's why we called in the FBI."

Chantal Escoto covers Fort Campbell and can be reached by phone at 245-0216 or e-mail her at chantalescoto@theleafchronicle.com

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* Friday, November 16, 2001 Residents trapped inside their homes

By JILL NOELLE CECIL The Leaf-Chronicle ------------------------------------------------------------------------ While authorities closed access to North Park and Northwind subdivisions, residents inside the area were learning of the situation from family members and making contingency plans.

Vicki Henson said her husband, Scott, called her to tell her police would not let him come home.

"He said don't open any windows or doors," she said. "I don't know what to do except just wait for him."

She said family members listening to a police scanner called her frequently with bits of information they'd heard. Henson said her husband told her he might have to stay the night at a relative's house.

"It does frighten me," she said. "I wish he could come home," I've got a little baby, and he wants to be home with her."

Scott Henson had just left work and was stopped at a police roadblock at Ringgold Road and Timberline Way. Officers would not tell him why he could not go home and he became frustrated.

"They're not going to stop me if I run through," he said but instead he called his wife.

Steve Philbert said his family had developed a plan for the night because police would not let his wife or daughter enter the neighborhood.

"That's the thing about being a military family," he said. "You plan for contingencies."

Philbert said he doesn't believe the incident is a terrorist attack, but he is grateful the host of agencies responded. He said firefighters suspected a helicopter sprayed fuel over the neighborhood.

"Being that were on a flight pattern from the airport, I think more than anything it was an accident," he said. "I'd rather it be a hoax than a true attack. Though I really don't want it to be a hoax either."

Philbert said he was concerned that he looked out the window and noticed white speckles on his dark-colored car and people in white suits collecting samples. He thought it was just a coincidence that white flakes were in the area because of a large fire earlier in the day at a construction site near Grassmire Drive. He suspects the white substance is ash.

"I don't really know because I haven't been outside," he said. "And I ain't going outside until it's clear."

He said emergency personnel began driving through the area around 9:15 p.m. announcing via loudspeakers that residents stay inside and not to come into contact with any white powder they might find.

Suzanne Sailor said she didn't get too alarmed when she noticed police cars and a helicopter in her neighborhood on her way home from work at about 5 p.m.

"I had no idea what it was," she said. "I just figured something happened in somebody's house. I know the helicopter flew around for a long time, but we have helicopters fly over here everyday."

Sailer was not aware investigators were concerned about a possible anthrax threat.

"I do worry, both my husband and I are active duty," she said. "Who knows if it's a prank or not. There have been reported cases of anthrax in New York. There are plenty of pranks going on, so you never know what's going on."

Jill Cecil can be reached at 245-0262 or by e-mail at jillcecil@theleafchronicle.com

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001

Answers

Response to CLARKSBURG, TN - People stuck in homes, perhaps something sprayed

Oops, headline should be CLARKSVILLE, sorry.

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001

All set

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001

#$%^!!! This sort of story scares me, not because I'm worried about anthrax, but because any goober with some sort of white powder can shut down a neighborhood or city block by distributing it.

Kip if you're on this thread -- you're correct about the cold weather increasing the spread of airborne illnesses, but the nice thing about 10 degree temps (with -5 chill factors) is that terrorists are less likely to stand outside on buildings and blanket the street below with powder (or whatever). Also, anyone loitering outside is immediately suspect. Notice that this is the second time this has happened in NC, where the weather is slightly warmer than it is farther north (although I admit that we're having an unseasonable heat wave of 60 degrees F).

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001

I stand corrected: the spraying is in TN. New anthrax was found in NC. Time for more coffee and lunch!

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001

Thanks, clean up crew.

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001