98 percent of Carlisle County's paper court records survived fire without damage
Statement on Court Recovery Efforts Following Carlisle County Courthouse Fire
From Jason M. Nemes
Director, Administrative Office of the Courts
Dec. 27, 2007
There is good news to report following the regrettable event of Dec. 26 when the Carlisle County Courthouse in Bardwell was leveled by fire. Officials have determined that 98 percent of Carlisle County's paper court records survived the fire without any damage.
When personnel from the Accessioning Division of the Administrative Office of the Courts accessed the vault in the courthouse, they were relieved to find that all court files within the vault were completely protected from fire and water damage. These files represent 98 percent of Carlisle County's court records. The Accessioning Division specializes in the maintenance and storage of court records.
The Carlisle County Office of Circuit Court Clerk is now open at full operation (with the exception of driver's licensing services) in temporary office space at 324 U.S. Highway 51 in Bardwell. Permanent phone and fax numbers have replaced the temporary phone number in use last week. The numbers now are:
Phone 270-628-5425 or 270-628-5426
Fax 270-628-5456
The Kentucky Department of Transportation is in the process of restoring the driver's licensing services offered by the Carlisle County Office of Circuit Court Clerk. The installation is taking a few more days than anticipated due to the technical requirements, but we hope this service will resume sometime next week. Citizens may call 270-628-5425 to confirm when this service is available.
District Court and Circuit Court took place, as scheduled, on Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 respectively. Circuit and District Court will be held indefinitely at the Masonic Lodge at 75 Masonic Lane off of U.S. Highway 51 in Bardwell. This facility is working out well as an interim courtroom and we appreciate the Masons for allowing us to use their building at a critical time.
Carlisle County Office of Circuit Court Clerk resumes operation after courthouse fire
Statement on Court Recovery Efforts Following Carlisle County Courthouse Fire
From Jason M. Nemes
Director, Administrative Office of the Courts
Dec. 27, 2007
The Carlisle County Office of Circuit Court Clerk is now open at full operation (with the exception of driver's licensing services) in temporary office space at 324 U.S. Highway 51 in Bardwell. The phone number there is 270-628-0145.
The Kentucky Department of Transportation is making progress in restoring driver's licensing services offered by the Carlisle County Office of Circuit Court Clerk. This service should resume no later than Jan. 2. Citizens may call 270-628-0145 to confirm when this service is available.
The Administrative Office of the Courts is continuing to outfit a courtroom at the Masonic Lodge at 75 Masonic Lane off of U.S. Highway 51 in Bardwell. Both Circuit Court and District Court will be held at that location and we are working with the local judges and circuit clerk to determine if court can take place, as scheduled, on Jan. 2.
Recovery efforts under way to resume court operations after Dec. 26 fire destroys Carlisle County Courthouse
Statement from Jason M. Nemes
Director, Administrative Office of the Courts
Dec. 26, 2007
It was with much regret that we learned of the fire that destroyed the Carlisle County Courthouse in Bardwell today. Upon receiving this news, the Administrative Office of the Courts immediately activated its Kentucky Court of Justice Emergency Management Plan. We are very relieved that there was no loss of life and are committed to resuming normal court operations as quickly as possible. There are no court cases on the docket for this week and we are working with the local judges and circuit clerk to determine if court can take place, as scheduled, on Jan. 2.
Here is an update of recovery actions taken today:
- The Carlisle County Office of Circuit Court Clerk will be relocated immediately to temporary office space at 324 U.S. Highway 51 in Bardwell. The phone number there is 270-628-0145. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk will move into more permanent space as soon as a portable trailer is available. This trailer will be located adjacent to the trailers being supplied for the Carlisle County government offices, which will be located near the Carlisle County Fire Department off of U.S. Highway 51.
- The Masonic Lodge has offered the use of its space and we are proceeding to outfit a courtroom there. Court will be held at this location until more permanent space can be secured. The Masonic Lodge is located across the parking lot from where the portable trailers will be located off of U.S. Highway 51.
- Carlisle County's court records were stored in a part of the courthouse away from the most intense area of fire. A team from the AOC Accessioning Division, which specializes in the maintenance and storage of court records, is en route to determine if any court records can be salvaged and restored.
- Personnel from the AOC Departments of Court Facilities and Technology Services are also en route to assist with the recovery efforts. They will help restore computer and phone technology and provide office furniture and supplies to ensure a smooth return to court operations.