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your homegrown newspaper December 1, 2021
Community pg. 5
Vol. 18, No. 11
County to spend $500K to clean, renovate jail
“
At the end of the day, it’ll sure be a lot cleaner and offer a much safer environment for staff.” - Lake County Commissioner Steve Stanley
By Kristi Niemeyer for the Valley Journal
New bike racks pg. 12
Turkey trot pg. 14
L
ake County Commissioners unanimously voted last Monday to spend an estimated $500,000 to clean and renovate the county’s detention facility, located in the courthouse basement. Commissioner Steve Stanley, who has taken the lead in the remodeling effort, told commissioners and sheriff department staff that the project will include replacing doors and windows, revamping shower areas, improving lighting,
SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL
Lake County’s detention center will receive numerous updates including window and door replacements, improved lighting, enhanced handicap access and more. The project is being funded in part with federal CARES Act monies.
enhancing handicap accessibility and upgrading the intercom system. In addition, the entire facility will be cleaned and painted. The cleaning portion is underway now, with ma-
jor remodeling expected to begin in March by a Spokane firm, Corrections Technology Group. Some grant money from the federal CARES Act is available to help cover costs.
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“It’s going to be a challenge to operate the facility and do what we need to do,” said Stanley. “But at the end of the day, it’ll sure be a lot cleaner and offer a much safer environment for staff.”
Detention Commander Joel Shearer noted that juggling prisoners during the renovation could be challenging. The jailer has recently been trying to find space for seven Desee page 2
