Courthouse closes due to high winds

The Bollinger County Courthouse closed at 11 a.m. Tuesday due to expected high winds and dangerous building conditions. An administrative order was released Monday afternoon by the Circuit Court of Bollinger County.

At Monday's meeting of the Bollinger County Board of Commissioners, the commission declared that it would temporarily close the building Tuesday as a safety precaution. In the past few weeks, two engineering firms advised the commission that the building is unsafe, especially the second floor.

Emergency Management director Kevin Cooper participated Monday morning in a conference with the National Weather Service. The NWS advised a severe drop in temperature beginning Tuesday, along with 25 to 30 mph winds that may become stronger at the end of the week.

Following Cooper's report, the commissioners unanimously decided to close the courthouse temporarily as a safety precaution.

"Nobody needs to be here in high winds," District 2 Commissioner Chad Hulvey said.

The board also suggested that the building automatically be closed whenever winds reach at least 25 mph. The district court system has vacated the second floor, and has been holding court at Marble Hill City Hall, First-floor offices remain open and are considered safe enough during normal conditions.

Anyone with questions about whether or not the building will be open on any day is advised to call first.