Othello council approves ordinance establishing municipal court

OTHELLO — The city of Othello will have its own municipal court beginning in January. Othello City Council members approved an ordinance establishing a court at the regular meeting Monday. “Earlier this summer Adams County informed us that they weren’t going to renew our contract for incarceration, adjudication and prosecution of adult misdemeanor crimes in the city of Othello,” City Attorney Kelly Konkright said. “And so that requires us to create our own municipal court.” Mayor Shawn Logan said after the meeting that city officials have hired a court administrator, and are working to hire a judge. The judge must be hired within 30 days of the passage of the ordinance. The court must be established by Dec. 31, when the city’s current contract with the Adams County District Court expires. Felony and juvenile cases will still be handled by Adams County.