ST. GEORGE – Got bats? The Washington County 5th District Courthouse does. Thousands of them, in fact. Just one day prior to Halloween, the pesky creatures have begun making themselves at home in the courthouse, located at 206 Tabernacle Street, in St. George.
“They appear to be all over the building,” a 5th District Court employee told St. George News. “We can hear them scratching inside the ceiling in some areas.”
The bat infestation is no Allhallows Eve joke, nor did courthouse officials invite the bats in to make for extra scary court proceedings. The bats, it seems, let themselves in.
Work is currently being done on the outside of the building and sources said they believe the bats entered the building after workers possibly left a vent open.
“Apparently, the court did become aware this morning of this problem with the bats,” Utah Courts spokesperson Nancy Volmer said. “Our facility workers are looking at how to address the issue at this time.”
While most of the bats are currently in the vents, the bats have reportedly been seen in Courtroom 3A, the courthouse stairwells, and the hallway in the probation unit.
Though Volmer reported Thursday afternoon that there has been no impact on court operations, a sign hanging on the reportedly most-infested courtroom door stated the scheduled court proceedings in Courtroom 3A would, instead, be heard in Courtroom 3B. Volmer confirmed the court proceedings were moved due to the bats.
“They’ve got thousands of bats in the courthouse,” a source told St. George News, “and they’re trying to catch them by hand.”
The $29 million courthouse opened its doors in December 2009. The 91,734 sq. ft. building offers plenty of space for the bats to roam and hide.
At last report, sources said 15 of the bats have been captured.
“We did setup a method that will cause the bats to exit the building,” Volmer said, “and then, at that point, they will be able to catch them.”
Volmer said the Division of Natural Resources is also assisting in the situation.
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Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween, having plenty of space to hide, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
2014 file photo of 5th District Court in St. George, St. George News
Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Submitted photo, St. George News
Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Submitted photo, St. George News
Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween. Courtroom 3A is reportedly the most-infested courtroom, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween, having plenty of space to hide, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween, having plenty of space to hide, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
Thousands of bats invade the 5th District Courthouse just days prior to Halloween, St. George, Utah, Oct. 30, 2014 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.
Kimberly Scott is a lifetime resident of Southern Utah. In 2013, Kimberly joined St. George News as a vital member of its editing, reporting and administrative team. She is passionate about engaging communities through writing and is dedicated to providing complete and accurate coverage of both anticipated and breaking news.
The cost of the eradication should be taken out of the pay of the IDIOT that left the vent open.
Yeah. He should have known that thousands of bats would somehow find that one little spot and all decide that this one building was the best place to roost. Isn’t that just what always happens?
Wait… The opposite of that. Never. This isn’t an every-other-tuesday thing, mate.
Bats, bees, other birds, critters, rats, squirrels, guys named Dustin, it doesn’t matter. It is carelessness and stupidity, any way you cut it.
Those are the flying mammals Saint George deserves, but not the ones it needs.
Do the cops have tiny handcuffs? I’m sure that the bats have been dancing and need some jail time.
Now the question remains. Did or Didn’t the outside gang of profiting Halloween actors get a valid permit(with all boxes checked off) before invading the attic dance hall? Where are the police when you need them?
Could have been a lot worse. It could have been a super hive of Africanized Honey Bees. The last thing you want to hear is somebody screaming…Beees! FRECKLES, TAKE SOULS!
Judge not less ye be judged yourself, or be infested by bats! Hehehe
I absolutely agree. All of this mayhem is the direct result of a worker leaving open a small thermal exhaust port only two meters wide…oh wait. Wrong vent.
We must be having a bad season of bats. We found one that drowned in our pool. I guess it’s a lesson on not swimming alone! As for the bats in the courthouse, isn’t that where all blood-suckers (attorneys) hang out?
Ha Ha Bevan! Good comment. it is also where the crooked judges hang out as well. I wonder if any of the bats have rabies? This is so well deserved and way too funny.
Seems appropriate for a town where most people are batsh** crazy
Bats are notorious rabies carriers. Hope no one comes in contact with them.
I heard the bats brought ebola here…
Someone quick….go get Ozzy.
Lawyers will appreciate the bat company – they’re both crazy types anyway.
OMG I hope the bats got the proper permit to hangout at the courthouse are the police going to stay there and make sure they don’t dance.?