WALTHALL — The Webster County grand jury empaneled June 19 has submitted a report of its investigations.
While in session that day, grand jurors inspected the Courthouse in Walthall and the Justice Court Building, Webster County Health Department and the Webster County Jail in Eupora. Their report reads as follows:
Webster County Courthouse
The concrete outside is staying wet and is slippery. In room 118-mechanical room has flammable products being stored — 1-gallon and 5-gallon buckets of paint — previously reported but the door was locked and was not able to be viewed. In room 22-mechanical/electrical room has flammable products — cleaning chemicals — previously reported but the door was locked and was not able to be viewed. There is trim above room 224.
The ceiling tile outside south courtroom has water damage. South courtroom water bottle fountain does not work. The south courtroom jury seating entry step is a trip hazard. The foyer at the top of the stairs has ceiling tile water damage. Courthouse front main entrance has a bird nest that needs to be removed. The electrical outlets need covers to protect children. There is a broken light outside on the right of the entrance.
Justice Court Building
The window on the outside needs to be fixed. Veteran 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. Rebecca Ellison’s room needs new carpet. There are cords in the hallway that are a trip hazard
The building smells of mildew and has water damage. The Extension office bathroom needs a railing because of the step down The fire extinguishers are out of date and smoke detectors do not have batteries.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. The restroom stall needs locks. Men’s restroom ceiling is sagging. The building needs to be CLEANED.
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 need to be cleaned and buffed. The ceiling tiles in the conference room (A) are either missing or have water damage, (the room) has an out-of-date fire extinguisher and is crowded with extra lights and chairs.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 restrooms and the walls are grimy and nasty. The bathrooms are in general in disrepair. Water fountain is broken and has loose tiles underneath.
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 restrooms.
Seals on the outside windows need to be repaired or replaced. The clutter in the lobby needs to be removed. 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.
MDHS: B. Quinn’s office has water damage from the leaking window. Front door sticks. Flooring in the lobby needs to be replaced. Conference Room (A) ceiling tiles have continuous water damage. Old lighting needs to be removed and there is no lighting in storage. The clutter needs to be removed.
Smoke alarm has damage. The fire extinguisher is out of date. The hallway outlets need to be covered. Bathroom vents need to be cleaned. Tiles under water fountain need to be repaired. The water fountain is leaking. The sheetrock is peeling and needs to be repaired.
Health Department smells of mildew and mold. The fire extinguisher is out of date. Walls need to be repaired and painted. A fire extinguisher is taped up on the wall. The ceiling is cracked. The light fixture is broken. Floors need to be repaired. There is a crack in outside window. It needs to be DEEP CLEANED. Walls are cracking. Cabinets and shelves need to be replaced. The breakroom ceiling is stained and needs a sink. The ceiling is leaking from the vent pipe by the breakroom.
Webster County Jail
The cells have no lights but lighting is adequate in hall shining into the cells. There are open prescription drug 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 sinks 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 officers. 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 sire needs to be reinforced; it appears to be tied together. The faucet outside is leaking. There are holes in the soffit outside. There is rotten wood outside. The jail does not have proper storage.
A bucket is under the water heater to catch leaking water. Floors need to be cleaned. Cleaning products and food are in the same area. The bathroom needs to be updated. Flooring is a trip hazard. Cells are very dark. Cells need to be painted. Some cells are being used as storage. The vent in the all needs to be repaired. The shower drains in the hallway. There is mold in the hall vent. Gutters need to be replaced and has rotting and falling wood
The report, dated June 22, was signed by Foreperson Gaye Wilson. The Board of Supervisors voted Monday to accept the report and spread a copy on the minutes.
