Preston County Commission declares state of emergency

KINGWOOD — The Preston County Commission declared a state of emergency Wednesday and closed the courthouse annex to walk-ins.

The state of emergency will be in effect for 30 days, unless extended or suspended, according to the proclamation read by Commission President Samantha Stone at a special 4 p.m. Wednesday meeting.

Offices affected are the county clerk, assessor, county commission, health department, prosecuting attorney and tax office.

Earlier this week the commission closed public access to the Preston County Sheriff’s Department and Office of Emergency Management/911.

Employees will be working regular business hours of 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Anyone who wishes to contact a county office can call these numbers: County clerk, 304-329-0070; assessor, 304-329-1220; commission, 304-329-1805; health department, 304-329-0096; prosecutor 304-329-1885; tax office 304-329-0105; sheriff, 304-329-1611; OEM/911 non-emergency number, floodplain management, and mapping and addressing, 304-329-1855.

Email addresses and other information, including how to pay taxes online, are available on the county website, www.prestoncountywv.gov.

The courthouse will be open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday only to those who have official business. It is recommended that anyone who has a hearing scheduled contact his or her attorney or the appropriate office to verify it is still being held.

If you have official business with the circuit clerk, probation or community corrections, officials ask that you call ahead.

Numbers for Preston Courts are: Magistrate court, 304-329-2762; circuit clerk, 304-329-0047; family court, 304-329-3569; circuit court, 304-329-066; probation office, 304-329-0772; and community corrections, 304-329-0937.

The commission will livestream future meetings. More information will be on the web page and on Facebook at Preston County Commission WV.

Preston County Health Director V.J. Davis reiterated it is important for people to take precautions outlined by the CDC to avoid transmission of the virus.

“The next 10 to 15 days is a very important period for his situation,” Davis said. “Individuals need to practice social distancing and illness prevention practices to keep this disease from spreading.”

More information on the coronavirus is posted at www.prestoncountyhealthdepartment.com. A 24-hour information hotline is available toll free at 800-887-4304.

TWEET @DominionPostWV