Commissioners’ Begin Dirt Work for New Law Enforcement Center Courtroom; Forge Agreement With City of Commerce

Monday morning, each Hopkins County Commissioner had dump trucks hauling dirt from Luminant’s coal mine property to the location of the new county Law Enforcement Center as work has begun on the foundation for the new Hopkins County law enforcement center to be located beside the county jail. All four precincts are participating in hauling the donated dirt from the land fill at the coal mine saving tax payer money. The dirt haul project is expected to take two days weather permitting.

The 100 seat courtroom will be connected to the jail facility by an enclosed walkway. Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom stated that this is for the safety of the public. The new courtroom will be used for docket calls as well as trials for those who are suspected of being dangerous or associated with dangerous crime situations according to Newsom. He said the courthouse second story courtroom, often called the district courtroom, will be used daily by County Court at Law, the 62nd District Court, and by the 8th Judicial Court for trials that do not put the public at risk.

Monday, during the Commissioners’ Court regular session in the first floor courtroom at the county courthouse, commissioners approved an agreement with the City of Commerce affirming the mutual aid that is already in place between the city and Hopkins County Fire Department. This agreement and agreements with surrounding cities provides an avenue for Hopkins County to seek lower insurance ratings for its residents. Structural fires are the primarily area of assistance for the entities.

Commissioners also contracted Clifford Power to provide maintenance for the county’s 19 power generators. Judge Newsom stated that for the first time the county will use a company that can detect problems in generators before the problems renders the equipment inadequate for a power failure. Computer checks of the equipment will be run every 6 months to assure they are in working order.

Author: Staff Reporter

Share This Post On