Inspector: Oozing substance at courthouse isn't toxic mold

August 12, 2002

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Midland Reporter Telegram 08/11/2002

By Shanna Sissom

Staff Writer

With a recent " black mold " scare sweeping the south, the appearance of

unknown black substances oozing from a building interior can tend to make

some people a little nervous.

But, despite multiple leaks and odor in a Midland County courtroom and the

presence of oozing black tar in a stairwell ceiling, the facility is at

least free of black mold, Judge Bill Morrow confirmed this past week.

" There was an investigation here by an employee of TNRCC (Texas Natural

Resource Conservation Commission), " Morrow said.

" She examined the stairwell, the courtroom and called and indicated the

samples she took confirmed what we knew all along in that there is no black

mold, " the judge explained.

Morrow said the facility was checked for mold after some people had wrongly

speculated there might be harmful black mold there.

The east side of the courthouse's fourth floor has lately been plagued with

problems. Court employees have endured a number of ceiling leaks --

including one that rendered the 238th Judicial District Courtroom unusable

much of the week -- as plumbers and repairmen scrambled to plug the steady

drips, fix the problem and dry out the carpet and furnishings.

During the course of cleanup efforts, workers had to cut a hole into the

ceiling, just below the fifth floor jail.

Renovations to that courtroom had previously been planned to take place late

this year, as 238th Judicial District staff will soon be temporarily

relocated to a makeshift courthouse and offices across the street at Wall

Towers.

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