County Judge announces courthouse closure on the 17th

carried on. it’ll be lights out on february 17th as well at the county courthouse. the county judge announced today it will be closed that day because access to the building will be blocked when pope francis visits juarez. abc-seven’s complete coverage… … of the pope’s visit continues with andrew j. polk. andrew? rick and estela, county judge veronica escobar says she agonized over the decision, but came to the conclusion it wouldn’t do any good to force staff to come in when there are so many transportation problems expected. judge escobar announced the closure today after hearing fr om police and other law enforcement about just how difficult it will be to get to and from the courthouse. with the border highway shut down and campbell street serving as an emergency route for first responders. employees wouldn’t be able to get into the garage. there was also concern the county would have to stay open as an early voting station… but escobar says the texas secretary of state has given them approval to shut that down as well, given the circumstances. “there’s no purpose to lighting up the building, heating it, calling employees in if it’s very difficult for them and members of the public to get in and out.” “it’s going t be a hard job for law enforcement to make sure that number one, el pasoans are safe, and of course that the pope and his entourage are safe.” along with the courthouse, all non-essential county staff will have the paid day off… with facilities like the jail staying open. rick and estela? andrew, live tonight with the new information, thank you. pal visits to the