By John D. Montgomery
Special to the Pacer
Due to air quality issues on the second floor of the McClain County Courthouse the court docket set to start next Tuesday has a change of venue.
District Judge Leah Edwards confirmed Friday trials for the docket will be held at the McClain County Community Center on Hardcastle Boulevard. There is also a possibility of utilizing the Purcell Police Department’s courtroom, court officials said.
Sheriff Landy Offolter was working on security issues for the new site.
Samples of the air and surface taken by Sooner Cleaning and Restoration last week pointed to the need for a thorough cleaning of the entire second floor.
Deputy Court Clerk Rebekah Couch said she is hopeful the cleaning can start next Tuesday or Wednesday but a firm date was not known Friday morning.
During the cleaning that is estimated to take two weeks, District Court Clerk Kristel Gray said her office will be moving downstairs and that the judges will office wherever they can.
At least two spots were noticed that were determined to be mold. The cleaning and restoration company said the entire second floor should be cleaned.
The assessor’s office reported they will be working from home during the cleaning.
They will have their laptops and here are three email addresses: 1. [email protected] 2. [email protected] and 3. [email protected].
Taxpayers can also use Messenger on Facebook to contact the assessor, or however they want, the assessor’s office said.
The district attorney’s office said on Friday morning they were still assessing their options.
