New Eastern District office space well received

Eastern District Craighead County Deputy Sheriff Garland Tipton and his staff started the new year out in their new offices next to the Eastern District Courthouse in Lake City.

The office space, formerly Curt Huckaby's law office, has made a great extension for the Eastern District Court House.

Tipton said they had outgrown their space shared by the clerk's office and the sheriff's office.

Huckaby gave up his private law practice to become a district court judge. Tipton said he is pleased the Craighead County officials made the decision to purchase the office space allowing the sheriff's department to move. The new office space triples the size of their facility.

The new area has a large office for Deputy Tipton, a second office for the day and evening officer, a large reception and office area for the secretary, and a break room with ample room for meetings.

They are looking at making an inside connection to the courtroom area. The courtroom is located between the Eastern District clerk's office and the sheriff's office.

The Eastern District Sheriff's office is open five days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tipton said in case of an emergency residents should call 911 instead of the office.

Tipton is starting his second term as Eastern District Deputy Sheriff. He has been with the Craighead County Sheriff's Department for 12 years and served in city law enforcement in Caraway and Monette before going to the sheriff's department.

A new secretary is scheduled to begin next week.