KINGWOOD — Progress continues at the Preston County Sheriff’s Department, according to Joe LaRue, county facility manager.
In December, a water line break sent 700,000 gallons of water through the building causing damage.
LaRue said dry wall and drop ceiling panels are being replaced in the basement and electrical updates are ongoing. He said four smaller breaker panels will replace the two large circuit breaker panels in the basement.
LaRue said he is waiting for the state fire marshal to approve the change.
He thanked Mayor Jean Guillot and the city sewer workers who repaired the sewer lines going to the annex. The annex plumbing backed up Friday and county workers couldn’t get it open.
“We bought a big snake but it didn’t help. We found the break was on Route 7. The sewer workers had the equipment. And they worked really hard to get the line cleaned out,” he said.
LaRue also reported on a bomb threat called in to the courthouse Friday, causing the building to be evacuated. Deputies and state police troopers arrived quickly to evacuate the building and everything went smoothly, he said.
LaRue thanked the deputies and the state police for their quick response, and the department heads who kept their people together.
“We need to look at someone coming in and doing preparedness training for these situations,” Commissioner Hunter Thomas said. “We need to get moving on it.”
Commission President Samantha Stone said the sheriff ’s department has people who can give preparedness training. She said all the commission would have to do is provide the material needed.
No action was taken.
In other business, commissioners voted to approve a request from the Economic Development Authority to appoint Nichole Larew as a board member for the town of Newburg, to a three-year term expiring June 2026. Commissioners also voted to reappoint Nick Taylor, at large member; Mike Lipscomb, city of Kingwood; Maggie DeWeirdt, town of Rowlesburg; and Laura Dulaney, town of Bruceton Mills, to a three-year term expiring June 2026.
Commission also:
- agreed to meet early next week to interview individuals for the position of facility manager.
- closed the courthouse and annex Friday for the Buckwheat Festival.
