NCSO not getting storage building

PRESCOTT – For the time being, the Nevada County Jail won’t be getting a new storage building.

Instead, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office will be utilizing part of the old jail to store foodstuffs. This is what the Nevada County Quorum Court was told during its June meeting Tuesday. Nevada County Judge Mark Glass said toe old jail will require some repairs to the roof before food can be stored there because of leaks. He said Lawrence Windows has agreed to repair the leaks, replace the old tiles and power wash the building for $1,800.

Justice of the Peace Dennis Pruitt said there was a group looking to have the old jail placed on the National Historic Register. Judy Duke, curator of the Nevada County Depot and Museum, said it is being looked into and the land was given to the county in 1904, when it had been an office for the federal marshal. In 1925, she said, it was determined the county needed a new jail and the three commissioners formed a committee, got an architect out of Little Rock and got the jail built for a cost of $37,500.

She added, she, along with Peggy Lloyd and Meredith DeWoody are working on getting the jail placed on the historic register, but there could be a problem with the roof.

Duke also told the court about a new book about how a local man, W.B. Tompkins, was responsible for helping organize the Arkansas State Police. The book, she said, is available on Amazon.com.

Jamie Hillery, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, talked about upcoming coffees, and the firework show scheduled for June 29 at Prescott High School. She said there would be food vendors and music to go along with the fireworks. The audience, she told the court, will be in the home stands of Cummings Field, while the fireworks will be shot at the baseball field.

Glass reminded the court it had discussed joining the intermodal group at its May meeting. Ben Hale, a new member of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as deputy prosecuting attorney, said the act the organization is formed under ensures the county would not be obligated financially in any way, other than membership fees, though the county could contribute financially if it wanted. Otherwise, he said, the county would be under no legal obligations. The court agreed to join the group.

Nevada County Clerk Julie Oliver told the court there were two grants the JPs needed to approve the funding for. One was for air conditioning in the buildings at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, and the other is for security cameras in the courthouse.