The judges of the Wood County Courts of Common Pleas have authorized measures to ensure the courthouse will remain open through the COVID-19 public health crisis. A temporary emergency order was filed on March 17.
The order authorizes actions to maintain essential court functions and operations during the crisis. The order will allow the court to maintain necessary staffing levels. The order will minimize and avoid large crowds in the courthouse by restricting non-essential access to the facility. The judges will increasingly rely on technology to remotely conduct business in both civil and criminal cases.
Specific actions include:
- Enhanced sanitation protocols are being followed in the courthouse.
- Hearings involving jailed defendants will be conducted by video.
- Civil pretrial hearings will be conducted by conference call.
Judges will meet regularly to re-evaluate needs and policies. The courts are the only legal forum in a public health crisis to address legal issues related to orders, directives and government requirements. This emergency order helps to ensure that the Wood County Common Pleas Courts will remain available for all citizens. The emergency order is temporary and its provisions are within the constitutional authority of the court. The order is intended to protect the constitutional rights of all court users and to maintain a healthy and neutral balance in a time of heightened anxiety and fears.
The order is enclosed with this release and is posted on the courts’ websites:
https://courtofcommonpleas.co.wood.oh.us/ , https://www.co.wood.oh.us/juvenilecourt/ ,
http://probate-court.co.wood.oh.us/index.shtml
Questions may be directed to the Court Administration Office at 419-354-9042.
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The Wood County Auto Title Office will close all Saturday hours, beginning this weekend, until further notice. At this time, regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, will be followed. But those are subject to change, according to Wood County Clerk of Court Cindy Hofner.
Hofner has requested staff advise people to drop their transactions at the counter and then back away while the staff is processing their titles.
While there currently are no known COVID-19 cases in Wood County, the Wood County Humane Society joins other agencies in taking measures to slow down its spread and to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors.
At least until Tuesday, April 7, the humane society will be closed to the public and volunteer opportunities. Staff will be answering phones daily between 12 to 4 p.m. The agency will still be providing limited pet food assistance opportunities and humane investigations during this time. As this situation unfolds and evolves, updates will be provided on the humane society’s Facebook page.
The Wood County Humane Society will make any necessary changes based on public health recommendations.
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All Wood County Alcohol and Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services board and committee meetings until further notice. The agency is working on accessing video conferencing for any emergency meetings that need to be held.
If a public meeting needs to be held, a phone number will be provided for providers and the public to listen. Board members will be receiving a communication to learn of any technological needs you may have to participate in a meeting in the future.
