NEWS
Courthouse exit study explores options
By DANI BLACKBURN
Montague County Commissioners accepted a Life Safety Egress Compliance Study, outlining solutions for fire exit issues in the courthouse when they met on Monday.
The study was authorized earlier this month after a meeting with representatives of the State Fire Marshal’s Office and James Malanaphy with the Texas Historical Commission.
The meeting helped officials gain direction in correcting the fire exit problems in its 104-year-old courthouse. It was one of 14 violations of the Life Safety Code outlined in a July fire safety inspection report by James Scott McAnallen, deputy state fire marshal.
Eleven of the 14 violations were repaired swiftly, while county officials have been working to repair the other violations,including installing a detection system in the building. A second fire escape and exit from the third and fourth floor is the most complex problem.
Dick Bundy, president of the architectural firm Bundy, Young, Sims and Potter Architects, Wichita Falls, offered proposed modifications that would include the existing parole office being dedicated as an exit way and area of refuge for the third and fourth floors.
Read the full story in the midweek News.
The jury was seated on Monday and the opening day of testimony Tuesday only lasted four hours, before the panel went into deliberations about 2 p.m.
Two hours later the jury returned a guilty verdict on both charges. Wednesday morning the jury was set to begin discussion on Hall’s punishment at 8:30 a.m. with both sides offering evidence and testimony. Hall faces up to 10 years in prison.
The trial was moved to Denton County on a change of venue requested by Hall in March. After 16th District Judge Sherry Shipman read the verdict, it was reported Hall hung her head in disappointment and was later seen crying and emotional as she left the courtroom.
Members of the Bowie City Council will meet in regular session at 6 p.m. on May 13 in council chambers.
The meeting opens with a proclamation for Emergency Medical Services Week.
City Manager Bert Cunningham will report on recent rainfall problems, Smythe Street sidewalk project and the substation work.
There is only one item of new business an ordinance related to speed limits on specific streets. Public comments and approval of minutes wrap up the agenda.
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