Part of courthouse set to be renovated

LAWRENCE COUNTY, AR (KAIT) - A part of the Lawrence County Courthouse has been empty since the sheriff's department moved into their new facility in 2018.

Since the Sheriff's Department moved out, a juvenile officer has moved into one office.

Thomison also plans to move the 911 center to the end of the building, which will provide more space for dispatchers.

"They're on duty so long and such extended hours that they need a place for some food preparation, for some relaxation, but also to be near to the center that we need them to work," he said.  "Going through some of the disasters we have, we see the need in that."

He says another benefit to adding the 911 center to the end of the building is security.

Once the center is moved, it can be locked and closed off from the rest of the courthouse.

He said the county is also exploring the idea of adding a smaller courtroom and a meeting room to the end of the courthouse.

Currently, Judge Thomison is still looking into courthouse needs and consulting with judicial judges and attorneys on courtroom needs.

Judge Thomison said he is also looking into grants to help fund the large project.

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