UPDATE: Most of the courthouse will reopen on Tuesday, except for parts of the first floor, including Municipal Court.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Athens-Clarke County Courthouse will be closed Wednesday through Friday for treatment after bedbugs were discovered.
Superior Court Chief Judge Eric Norris will sign an order Wednesday canceling jury trials and hearings, and limiting other judicial activities to temporary protective orders and other emergencies, according to a news release from the ACC government. In addition, ACC Manager Blaine Williams has closed non-judicial workplaces, such as the tax commissioner and tax assessor’s offices.
According to the ACC news release:
After the Athens-Clarke County Central Services Department was made aware of possible bed bugs in areas of the building, it contacted an on-call pest control company for a full assessment. Once the company confirmed the presence of bed bugs, the Central Services Department and Human Resources Department recommended the temporary closure of the Courthouse to Chief Judge Norris in order to provide the necessary multi-day measures to treat the spaces. Although bed bugs were only found in areas on three levels, the recommended treatment involves closing and treating the entire facility.
Tentative plans call for treatment through the weekend with a re-opening on Monday, February 20. Additional entry measures may be required for employees and visitors once the building is re-opened.
Due to the number of visitors and employees who visit the Courthouse daily, the source of the bed bugs is not known.
The ACC Library closed for more than a week in September and October due to the presence of bedbugs.
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