An engineer has been contacted to assess what might be the catalyst of what looks to be foundation issues inside the current Todd County Courthouse.
Judge-Executive Todd Mansfield says significant cracks recently developed in the walls inside the sheriff’s office and Ag. Extension Office portions of the building that was constructed in the mid 1970’s.
The judge doesn’t believe it’s a settling issue, but they won’t have a good idea of what the cause is until the engineer does an assessment.
Sheriff Tracy White says the cracks in his office appear to have grown in recent days.
There was a 4.0 earthquake associated with the New Madrid Seismic Zone centered near Poplar Bluff, Missouri on November 18 and while it wasn’t felt locally, Judge Mansfield believes the cracks could be related to that quake or another tremor in recent weeks.
The cracking is currently isolated to that northeast section of building and is plainly visible in cinder block and tile walls.
