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Virus stymies court staffing

Deputy shortage due to COVID-19 forces adjustments to proceedings

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Some Blair County court proceedings were canceled Thursday after the sheriff’s department reported not having enough deputies to transport inmates, partly due to COVID-19 exposure or potential exposure.

While sheriff deputies were working Thursday in some areas of the courthouse, adult parole officers filled in for absent deputies who would generally staff the front door of the courthouse and handle security screening procedures.

“My office, like other offices in the county and in the community, has had COVID-19 exposure,” Sheriff James Ott said Thursday. “So there had to be some adjustments and schedule changes.”

Those adjustments included cancellation of Thursday’s transportation of inmates Stephen Apostolu, from Cambria County Prison, and Kara Tornatore, from Blair County Prison, for sentencing before Judge Daniel J. Milliron.

Apostolu and Tornatore, both of Altoona, rendered guilty pleas in July to charges associated with enticing six youths to engage in sexual acts associated with the creation of child pornography. After entry of their pleas, Milliron directed that pre-sentence investigations be completed.

New sentencing dates for Apostolu and Tornatore are to be scheduled.

Sentencings for two additional Blair County Prison inmates, scheduled Thursday before President Judge Elizabeth Doyle, were canceled, too, for lack of sheriff deputies to provide their transportation.

Ott said he couldn’t pinpoint when his department’s staff levels will rebound because of different protocols for county employees to follow based on their COVID-19 exposure, symptoms or potential exposure.

“We’re navigating through this and we will get through this,” Ott said. “But we’re going to deal with some hurdles until then.”

County Administrator Nicole Hemminger said Thursday that a professional cleaning company cleaned several areas of the courthouse Wednesday while the building was closed for Veterans Day.

Ott said his office was subjected to the company’s deep cleaning efforts, a measure allowing that office to be open Thursday.

“I do have staff working … but I have to set priorities, too,” Ott said. “Right now, safety and security of the building is the foremost priority.”

In the meantime, the courthouse remains open, while signs advise anyone experiencing any illness symptoms to stay out of the building.

“The county is not closed, but if a trip into the courthouse isn’t a necessity, then maybe it can be postponed,” Ott said. “At least wait until we see what happens with this recent spike in COVID cases.”

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.

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