County government sets open house next week

Douglas County government offices and courts will be on display for public inspection for one day next week.

An open house will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday in the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass., and the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St.

This will be the second year the county has conducted a County Government Day open house, in conjunction with National County Government Week.

“We’re continuing each year to build it up and add to it,” County Clerk Jamie Shew said. “I think there are a lot of people that don’t know what we do here.”

Informational and historical displays can be found in the old courthouse. Included will be the original county ledgers that were written at the time the courthouse was built at the turn of the 20th century.

At the judicial center from noon to 1 p.m. there will be tours of the courtrooms. Tours also will be conducted from noon to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the emergency management and sheriff’s offices.

The judicial center’s law library will be open, and staff will be available to answer questions about how the court system works. The district attorney’s office will have staff who can answer questions about consumer protection issues.

The public is encouraged to bring old cell phones to the sheriff’s office and place them in a drop-box. The phones will be refurbished and given to the elderly and others who have no way to call 911 during emergencies. The phones do not have to work, and you do not have to bring chargers or other extra devices.

In addition, a sheriff’s detective will show new equipment. Information also will be available about gun locks and organ donations. A demonstration will show how to use child-restraint car seats.

Hazard alert radios will be on sale for $30 in the emergency management office.