County approves grounding upgrade

The Cape Girardeau County Commission approved a proposal by David Hitt with the county emergency preparedness office to upgrade the electrical grounding at the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department after lightning struck the building last month.

The grounding, which has already been installed, cost $8,571 and will be paid for out of the county's 911 tax, Hitt said.

On Nov. 3, lightning struck a tower near the county courthouse damaging the base station for 911 and the sheriff's dispatch, as well as electronic equipment in the courthouse, county administration building and sheriff's department.

"There's no guarantee it won't happen again, but this is the best bet that the equipment will ride it out," Hitt said.