The Webster County Grand Jury that was empaneled Jan. 9 has issued this report:
“We, the grand jurors of Webster County, having been duly elected, empaneled sworn and charged at the January 2023 term of Circuit Court, do hereby submit the following report of our investigations.
“Having been in session for one day, we have inspected the Webster County Courthouse, Justice Court Building, Webster County Health Department and the Webster County Jail, and we report as follows:”
WEBSTER COUNTY COURTHOUSE
“The concrete outside is staying wet and is slippery. Room 117- Breakroom, the fire extinguisher expired August 2020. In room 118- Mechanical room has flammable products being stored — 1-gallon and 5-gallon buckets of paint. In room 222- mechanical/electrical room has flammable products — cleaning chemicals.
“The south courtroom, jury seating entry step, is a trip hazard. The foyer at the top of the stairs has a birds nest that needs to be removed. The electrical outlets need covers to protect children. There is a broken light on the right of the entrance.”
JUSTICE COURT
“The window on the outside needs to be fixed. Veterans Service Officer room ceiling needs to be repaired. Justice Court clerk’s room ceiling is about to fall in. The hallway ceiling tile is sagging.
“(Judge) Rebecca Ellison’s room needs new carpet. There are cords in the hallway that are a trip hazard. The building smells of mildew. The Extension office needs a railing because of the step down. The fire extinguishers are out of date and smoke detectors do not have batteries.
“The Justice Court table needs to be replaced. Breakroom needs water because of low pressure. The exhaust fan does not work. Baseboards need to be put down. No water outlet outside of the building. The step in the hallway needs to be replaced.”
WEBSTER COUNTY MDHS & HEALTH DEPARTMENT
“The front door locks stick. The walls in the lobby need to be cleaned and painted. The floors in the main lobby needs to be cleaned and buffed. The ceiling tiles in the conference room A are either missing or have water damage, has an out-of-date extinguisher and is crowded with extra lights and chairs. There are water-damaged tiles in the visitation room and by smoke alarm.
“There is peeling sheetrock in the men’s restroom and the walls are grimy and nasty. The bathrooms are in general in disrepair. Water fountain is broken and has loose tiles underneath. Health Department was closed. CPS office ceiling tiles need to be repaired and there are exposed cables for internet. The baseboards need to be cleaned.
“The community and employee bathrooms are unclean and walls need to be washed. The vents are dirty and clogged. There are no toilet paper holders in bathrooms. Seals on the outside windows need to be repaired or replaced. The clutter in the lobby needs to be removed. There is old stagnant water in the mop bucket. There is dirt and grime beneath kitchen cabinets.
“Overall the building is filthy and is in need of general maintenance. Cleaning services need to be replaced as current individual cannot adequately handle what needs to be done.”
WEBSTER COUNTY JAIL
“The cells have no lights but light is adequate in hall shining into the cells. There are open prescription drugs throughout the cells. The vents need to be repaired. There are holes in the cinderblocks. The showers need to be cleaned. There are floor tiles missing in the showers. One shower is missing a knob. The floor outside of the shower collects water. There is mold on the air vents and some are bent or damaged.
“The jail needs storage. There is poor plumbing for sink and toilets in cells and some toilets will not flush. There is no hot water in the cells. There are beds falling off of the walls. Plastic tubs in the cells are broken. There is toilet paper around pipes. There are numerous electrical cords in the jail area. There is also wiring everywhere. Why are TVs in cells? There is not enough office space for offices.
“The jail needs a sprinkler system. The fire extinguishers have expired. The kitchen needs proper kitchen and food storage. The jail needs dedicated electrical and wash facilities. Pipes on the water heater are covered with aluminum foil. Exterior windows are boarded up.
“Outside of the jail gutters are falling down. There is a dent in the roof on the west side by the yard. The barb wire needs to be reinforced; it appears to be tied together. The faucet outside is leaking. There are holes in soffit outside. There is rotten wood outside. The jail does not have proper storage.
“Now that we have completed our investigations, and have reported the results to the court and to our fellow citizens, we request that we be discharged subject to recall.”
Foreman Joey Palmer signed the report.
