Lack of heat forces state Supreme Court offices closed

CHARLESTON -- A heating problem at the state Capitol has forced the state Supreme Court of Appeals to shut down for the day.

A heating problem left several buildings on the state Capitol Complex without heat Thursday morning.

The buildings affected were 1 (the main Capitol), 3, 4, 5 and 7.

The situation forced Chief Justice Brent Benjamin to postpone Thursday's conferences. He also signed an administrative order granting an emergency extension of time periods under the rules of appellate procedure.

"This situation temporarily impedes the ability of attorneys, parties, and others in the performance of their duties and obligations with respect to mmany legal processes, including filings, with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals," Benjamin wrote in the order.

Benjamin said he expects the Court to be back to normal work conditions Friday.