Winter weather shutters courthouses
(Photo by Art Smith) The roof of a piece of playground equipment at Maretta Elementary School sits covered with snow Monday. The snow caused the cancelation of school throughout the area.
(Photo by Art Smith) Ice dangles from the railing of the Putnam Bridge Monday morning after a winter storm dumped snow and ice on the area.
(Photo by Art Smith) The roof of a piece of playground equipment at Maretta Elementary School sits covered with snow Monday. The snow caused the cancelation of school throughout the area.
(Photo by Art Smith) Ice dangles from the railing of the Putnam Bridge Monday morning after a winter storm dumped snow and ice on the area.
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PARKERSBURG -- Residents in the Mid-Ohio Valley were greeted with snow and ice all day Sunday with below-freezing temperatures overnight Sunday and into Monday morning which prevented snow from melting.
The forecast from the National Weather Service called for a wind chill of 2 degrees with a 40% chance of snow throughout the day before 4 p.m.
By Sunday afternoon, Washington County Sheriff Mark Warden declared a level three snow emergency which remained in effect through Monday noon before downgrading to a level two.
Both the Wood and Washington County Courthouses were closed Monday due to inclement weather.
Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling said they decided to close the courthouse for the safety of the employees and residents.
"It's determined by the commissioners in collaboration with the judges and sheriff," he said. "We just try our best to inform all of our staff about what's going on, and safety is the number one priority."
He said it's extremely rare for the courthouse to close.
"This is my sixth year in office, and we've only closed it a few times," he said.
Wood County Commission President Blair Couch said the process to close county buildings is a "two-prong approach."
Only the chief circuit judge may close the courtrooms. Once that happens, elected officials can decide to close down the other offices at their discretion
"Chief Circuit Judge Jason Wharton's decision allows us not to have to have everyone in from security, bailiffs, the circuit clerk and so on," Couch said. "Then each elected official can decide if they want to operate or not."
There is usually a consensus among the elected officials that if the courts close they will all close their offices rather than have some open and others not. Sometimes officials will have employees work remotely.
"Never in my 20 years has anyone bucked," Couch said of anyone having any one office open while the others were closed. "We have a good relationship with our elected officials."
Couch said he, Wood County Sheriff Rick Woodyard and Wood County 911 Director Dale McEwuen were in contact with a representative of Wood County Schools when determining what to do on Monday.
"It is always good to have everyone on the same page," said Couch.
Belpre City Council cancelled its regular meeting Monday evening. Council President Larry Martin said the decision was made due to road conditions and because Belpre Council had no pending legislation, meaning there was no reason to put people in danger trying to get to the city building. Martin said if something comes up needing action, a special council meeting will be called.
Parkersburg City Council decided to go ahead with a special meeting to discuss priorities for the coming fiscal year.
"City Hall was open," Council President Andrew Borkowski said. "(I) thought if city employees reported to work, City Council should be able to do the same."
A report on that meeting will appear in a future edition.
Cancellations continue today, including the Marietta Welfare League's luncheon. The League awarded nearly $76,450 through its Community Grant Program to 24 local organizations.
The luncheon was called off for the safety of the League members and recipients and checks for all recipients were mailed instead, a release said.
"By investing in a wide range of local initiatives, Marietta Welfare League continues its mission of supporting organizations that contribute to a stronger, more vibrant county," said League President Jean Cech.
The third annual LEGO Build Off at Discovery World on Market that had been set for Sunday was rescheduled for 1-3 p.m. Feb. 1.
"We are proud to sponsor the annual LEGO Build Off at Discovery World," said Parkersburg Bridge Partners General Manager Joe Martin. "This event encourages creativity, collaboration, and problem solving among future innovators."
City Editor Evan contributed to this story.
Staff Reporter Amber Phipps contributed to this story.