BLUEFIELD, W.Va. - The West Virginia Supreme Court has confirmed that the satellite magistrate offices in Bluefield must soon be closed as a cost-saving measure for the state.
Bluefield officials felt "blindsided" recently when the Mercer County Commission said it would vote on whether to close the offices by Oct. 1, when the current lease on the offices expires, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph reported.
State Supreme Court Administrative Director Steve Canterbury says the court decided in 2010 to close all satellite magistrate offices around the state, finding them a "relic of the past."
With just three of the offices still open, Canterbury says the court recently confirmed the Bluefield office must be closed by January.
Magistrates Sandra Dorsey and Susan Honaker will be moved to Princeton into the courthouse annex.