Courthouse shut down by fleas reopens

ASHDOWN — A southwest Arkansas courthouse has reopened after it was closed for flea fumigation.

Little River County officials closed the historic county courthouse Friday and employees got a half day off with pay.

County Judge Clayton Castleman told the Texarkana Gazette that the courthouse was besieged by fleas for weeks. He worries that squirrels roaming the courthouse lawn and trees have been transporting the pests.

Castleman said employees have been going home with welts and that six previous attempts to spray the building were unsuccessful.

He said the fumigation was needed to break the cycle of fleas hatching in the courthouse.

The more than 100-year-old building reopened Monday and employees have reported being flea-free.

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