IN BOLIVAR COUNTY, THE JUVENILE HOLDING FACILITY IS ALMOST COMPLETE.
THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS PUTTING THE FINAL TOUCHES ON THE CENTER IN ROSEDALE AND PLANS TO HAVE IT OPEN BY MARCH FIRST. THE FACILITY WILL BE USED TO HOUSE MINORS CHARGED WITH NONVIOLENT OFFENCES UNTIL THEY MAKE THEIR INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE. THE ORIGINAL FACILITY WAS SHUT DOWN IN 2009 BECAUSE IT WAS DEEMED INADEQUATE. SINCE THEN -- BOLIVAR COUNTY YOUTH COURT JUDGE GWEN THOMAS AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAVE WORKED TO DEVELOP THE NEW FACILITY. SEVEN EMPLOYEES WERE LAID OFF WHEN THE OLD FACILITY CLOSED BUT WILL BE RETURNING TO WORK WHEN THE NEW BUILDING OPENS.