CULVER, Ore. - State police bomb technicians and a bomb detection dog from the Department of Homeland Security flew to this central Oregon farm community north of Redmond, Ore., Wednesday morning to investigate a suspicious container found at Culver Elementary School, just a day after the school received a bomb threat.

The experts determined the container was not a bomb. However, Culver-area schools were closed as a precaution and will remain closed for the rest of the day. Now, the sheriff's office and area residents are offering a $500 reward for the culprit behind the bomb scare.

A school employee discovered the suspicious container around 6:10 a.m. Local police responded and secured the area.

This discovery followed Tuesday's bomb threat received at Culver Elementary School that led to the school's evacuation.

Oregon State Police bomb technicians and a Department of Homeland Security bomb detection canine were flown to the area by OSP department aircraft. Upon arrival, bomb technicians examined the suspicious container and determined it was not a bomb. With the assistance of the canine, the interior and exteriors of the Culver-area schools were being checked before police clear the area.

The container and associated evidence was turned over to Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for further investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the origination of the suspicious container is asked to call Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at (541) 475-6520.