WHATELY — Two backpacks left unattended outside the Whately Diner on Monday contained only clothing and shower supplies, a Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad investigation revealed.
Lt. Michael Blanchette, of the State Police barracks in Northampton, said the suspicious bags were called in at roughly 1:45 p.m. and the scene was cleared at 2:58 p.m.
Lee Bourdon, who said she has been the diner’s manager for two and a half years, said she called in the backpacks just to be safe. She said the State Police and Whately Police Department handled the situation with professionalism. The 24-hour Whately Diner, popular with truck drivers, is located at 372 State Road.
Bourdon suspects the backpacks may have been left behind by homeless people who use the diner’s shower stalls. People can pay $4 to take a shower in the restrooms. Bourdon said there is one shower stall in the men’s bathroom and one in the women’s bathroom.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.