District Court closes due to ‘civil disturbance’

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Whatcom County District Court was temporarily closed Thursday due to efforts to clean up the homeless encampment at City Hall and the Central Library.

Presiding Judge David Grant issued the order closing the court, saying that a civil disturbance in the area outside and adjacent to the courthouse posed a threat to the safety and welfare those accessing the court.

Grant issued another order announcing that the court would be closed Friday as well, and won’t reopen under normal operating hours until Monday, February 1.

All matters scheduled to appear Thursday will be rescheduled and the parties involved notified.