Dozens of New England College students were evacuated from Connor Hall yesterday morning after suspicious white powder was found by a campus safety officer.

The Henniker police and fire departments were called just after 9:30 when an officer discovered a note that said "Anthrax" while he was trying to clear away the powder, according to police Chief Ryan Murdough.

Between 55 and 70 students were evacuated to another area of campus while emergency crews cleared the area, said college spokeswoman Kathleen Williams.

She said the police have a suspect in the prank, and he is not a student at the college. It appears the substance was nothing more than body powder, Williams said.

Students were let back in three hours later.

TRENT SPINER