Polk commissioner calls for prayer vigil Saturday 

COLUMBUS — Polk County Commissioner Vice Chair Myron Yoder is calling for a public prayer vigil on at noon Saturday at the entrance to Polk County High School.  

Yoder posted on Facebook this week, saying he has heard the cries of children and students for safety in the schools.  

“I have thought about this as I heard the cries of our children and students for safety in our schools,” Yoder said.  

He said, as leaders, fathers, mothers, teachers and coaches in Polk County, people should hear and step up to the plate.  

“I am especially calling out church (pastors) and leaders from all our communities in Polk County,” Yoder said. “ I will lead off in a prayer of safety and wisdom over our leaders, faculty and school board and then I will ask (pastors) to pray a prayer of safety over all our preschoolers, elementary schools, our middle school and high school, charter schools, private and homeschools in Polk County.”  

Yoder asks that local pastors and parents come or to pray corporately.  

“I know that our creator God will hear our prayers,” Yoder said. “I promised the people of Polk County when they elected me as commissioner that I would always do what is best as much as lieth within me for Polk County citizens and may we join hands in prayer for safety of our children. Come on, come all. And God bless.”  

Yoder offered his phone number to call or text for anyone who wanted to join in the prayer at 828-817-0406.  

Yoder’s call for prayer comes in the wake of a school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that took the lives of 17 students and teachers, and Polk County students holding a walkout on Tuesday calling for school safety.  

Polk County High School had a threat written on a bathroom wall on Tuesday, and Polk Central Elementary had a threat on Wednesday. Another threat was alleged on Wednesday at Polk County Middle School, but law enforcement arrived and did not find a threat.  

Polk County Schools said there will be extra law enforcement officials at the schools this week because of the threats.