The south door of the Washington County Courthouse (pictured above) will be closed to the public this week. Photo by Sally Y. Hart

Action is underway to increase security at the Washington County Courthouse. One measure is closing the door on the south side of the courthouse to the public. The south door will only be used as an emergency exit. Washington County Auditor Dan Widmer explained at the supervisors meeting the changes are happening as part of a bigger plan to increase security measures, which will include installing panic buttons. The public can now only enter the courthouse on the west side of the building.