Updates: At 11:49 a.m., Kempner officials announced the roadways were open.
At 10:55 a.m., Kempner Mayor J.W. Wilkerson confirmed that several businesses in the area have been evacuated to a safe distance.
Kempner Police Department issued a closure of US Highway 190 in Kempner after a citizen discovered what was determined to be potential explosive device.
“Just after 8 a.m. this morning, a citizen made contact with Police Chief Eddie Rodriguez in the 12000 block of US 190 in Kempner,” officials said in a news release. “The citizen stated they had purchased a box of miscellaneous items at a garage sale and became concerned with one of them. The citizen gave the item to the Chief Rodriguez, who determined the item was a potential explosive device.”
At 9:22 a.m., Kempner City officials announced a closure to the roadway on social media.
“Highway 190 is shut down between the Kempner Brick Oven and Dollar General until further notice,” officials said.
Rodriguez said the current safety boundary extends between the FM 2313 and Peach Street intersections.
Multiple Public Safety entities are responding to the area, to include Kempner Volunteer Fire Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Hood Explosive Ordinance Disposal Teams.
As of 10:35 a.m., the explosive ordinance disposal team had arrived, Rodriguez said.
Kempner officials ask that citizens please avoid the area until the situation is resolved. Updates will be posted as they become available.
