The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-The Columbia County District Courtroom, located at 535 Cameron Street in Dayton, is getting a make-over, according to Kriston Daugherty, District Court Administrator.

After discussing the need for greater security in the courtroom with others at a municipal department head meeting in September, Dougherty approached the Columbia County Commissioners to ask them to approve plans to create a more secure layout inside the courtroom, which they did. They also approved $4,000 from the courtroom capital fund to pay for the work, she said.

Dougherty said that Judge Scott Marinella's desk, which is currently located adjacent to the public entry on the west wall, will be moved to the other side of the room, so that he can see the doorway. Plans call for a seven inch raised platform with rails around it, to enclose the judge's desk, she said.

The judge will use an anteroom located on the east side of the room for his chambers, and for entry into the courtroom, Daugherty explained.

Replacing the existing benches is not an option, said Daugherty. She hopes they can be refinished.

Daugherty said that two of the benches will be turned around, so the defendants will face the judge. The remaining benches will be placed along the walls, with one bench reserved for jurors on the south wall, she said.

Bidding for the job closed on December 11, with Opp and Siebold, Merle Myrick and Coyote Custom Cabinets of Walla Walla responding.

Daugherty said the county commissioners approved Coyote Custom Cabinets to perform the work. Their bid was $3,039.09, she said.

Daugherty expects to meet with representatives from Coyote Custom Cabinets this month, and she hopes work on the project can begin in January, as well.