COVID-19 Updates: Library, Sheriff, County Offices and more

COVID-19 Updates: Library, Sheriff, Offices and more

(EDITOR’S NOTE – This is not a full listing of information as there is more information continuing to develop. The Meigs Independent Press will continue to update on the ongoing COVID-19 situation.)

POMEROY, Ohio – “We are all having to make very hard decision right now,” Dr. Amy Acton, director of Ohio Health Department said during a daily press conference on March 16, 2020.

Those decisions have included the closing of fitness centers, gyms, public recreation centers, movie theaters, indoor water parks, indoor trampoline parks and other such establishments. Restaurants were closed to dinning in on March 15, 2020. (The Meigs Independent Press will provide a separate article on restaurants locally.) All of this is in an effort to keep the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Locally this is beginning to impact day-to-day operations for businesses and offices. 

Meigs County Library

The Meigs County Library released the following statement, “This was not an easy decision. We join many others in the community who have made the decision to close in the hopes of preventing the further spread of this virus. The health and safety of our community and staff comes first. 

All branches of the Meigs County District Public Library will be closed until further notice. Please keep checking our Facebook page for further updates.

The Pomeroy Library will be open on Tuesday, March 17th until 1 p.m. in an attempt to allow everyone to check out needed items before the closure. 

• Please keep library items at home until we reopen.
• Library card holders have access to digital material via OverDrive/Libby and hoopla. If you need your card number, please call the library at 740-992-5813 or email [email protected].
• Register online for a library card if you do not already have one here: https://meigslibrary.org/librarycardsignup
• Check back often for updates. We will post more information as soon as we know when the library will reopen.

Meigs County Sheriff

Sheriff Keith Wood released the following statement, “With the presence of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in the United States and the State of Ohio, several Agencies are implementing preventative measures. These measures are in place to help prevent the spread of this virus. As you may be aware, COVID-19 can be carried by individuals who show no symptoms, and thus transmitted to other.”

Due to this, the lobby to the Sheriff’s Office will be closed to the public, no background checks or concealed carry permits/renewals will be processed. Non-emergency reports will be taken over the phone. The office will still respond to reports that need investigation, such as burglaries and will respond to emergency calls.

Dispatchers who receive calls from the public where a deputy is needed to respond will ask you if you or anyone in the household are exhibiting flu-like symptoms (which include fever, coughing, or respiratory distress). They will also ask about recent travels you or anyone in your household may have taken. This will not prevent you from receiving Law Enforcement Services but will help our Deputies better prepare to assist you while keeping themselves protected. 

As of March 16, 2020, visitation with inmates is suspended until further notice. There will also not be any personal items accepted until further notice. Any commissary can be taken over the phone with a credit/debit card. Religious services for inmates have also been discontinued until further notice.

“Thank you for your understanding and we are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause the citizens of Meigs County. We believe the proactive measure is best to protect our employees and the public, and to keep the Sheriff’s Office running in a proficient manner. Major Scott Trussell and I will continue to work with State and County Health Officials to determine when this order can be lifted or if further action will need taken,” stated Sheriff Wood.

Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney

Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James K. Stanley released this statement, “Due to the implementation of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus known as COVID-19 in both Ohio and the United States, the Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will be closed to the public until further notice. Employees will still report, so if anyone needs the assistance of the staff, you may contact the office at 740-992-6371. If anyone needs the assistance of the Meigs County Victim Assistance Program staff, you may contact the office at 740-992-1720.  This partial closure is in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to our employees, to the public, and to our loved ones.  We will continue to monitor the situation and look to our federal, state, and county leadership to guide us through this state of emergency. We appreciate your understanding, and we hope this partial closure does not inconvenience too many people.”

Middleport Mayor’s Court

Mayor Fred Hoffman stated that the Middleport Mayors Court set for Tuesday, March 17 has been canceled and all cases will be continued until 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 31.

Phone Numbers of the Courthouse & Other Offices

To reduce face-to-face contact, here are the numbers of various public offices to help reduce that contact. 

• Auditor 740-992-2698
• Clerk of Courts 740-992-5290
• Commissioners 740-992-2895
• County Court 740-992-2279
• Engineer & Garage 740-992-2911
• Probate Juvenile Court 740-992-3096 or 740-992-6205
• Prosecutor 740-992-6371
• Recorder 740-992-3806
• Sheriff 740-992-3371
• Title Office 740-992-2693
• Treasurer 740-992-2004

Congressman Johnson Makes Statement

Congressman Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) released the following statement detailing his offices’ current operating information, and pertinent details from a conference call held earlier today with Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, and Ohio Director of Health Amy Acton:

“My offices in both Ohio and Washington remain open to handle constituent services with federal agencies,” Bill Johnson said. “These operations will continue, and my staff and I will be working to assist the people of Eastern and Southeastern Ohio in any way we possibly can. Following guidance from the Governor, the House Sergeant at Arms, and health care professionals, we are not taking in-person meetings at this time. We will continue to evaluate as developments dictate.”

Johnson’s offices can be reached at:

• Washington: 202-525-5705
• Cambridge: 740-432-2366
• Ironton: 740-534-9431
• Marietta: 740-337-6951
• Salem: 330-337-6951

The toll-free line remains open: 1-855-376-0868

Johnson added, “This morning I took part in a conference call led by Governor DeWine. He urged me to share the following resources with you”:

• Please visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov for the most up-to-date information from the Ohio Department of Health.
• For any questions you have about the virus, you can call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH. Line open from 9AM – 8PM, 7 days a week.
• Support for small businesses to overcome the temporary loss of revenue during the state of emergency should send their contact info to [email protected].  Additional info on the Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs is available at SBA.gov/Disaster
• To help bar and restaurant owners stocked with alcohol for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and NCAA basketball tournament games, they may reach out to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center at 1(877)812.0013 or e-mail [email protected] for information on a one time liquor buyback
• Affected workers who do not receive paid leave through their job may be eligible for unemployment compensation without the

Normal one week waiting period can go to www.Unemployment.Ohio.gov or www.JFS.Ohio.gov/Coronavirus for more info.

*You can follow these account for additional information: @GovMikeDeWine, @LtGovHusted, @OHDeptofHealth

*Governor DeWine is holding daily press briefings at 2PM. These events are carried live at www.OhioChannel.org