Ohio Supreme Court doesn't stop courthouse demo

TIFFIN, Ohio (AP) — People trying to save a more than 125-year-old Ohio courthouse are counting on local judges now that the state Supreme Court has declined to take emergency action.

The Ohio Supreme Court gave no reason earlier this week when it ruled 6-1 not to order a temporary halt to demolition work on the Seneca County Courthouse in northwest Ohio.

The Blade of Toledo reports a wrecking firm expects to start tearing down the 1884 building on Jan. 3. Asbestos removal started this week.

An attorney who filed a taxpayers’ lawsuit with the state’s highest court and the head of a courthouse redevelopment group both say county common pleas judges still have time to act and are the building’s best hope. The judges have not taken sides publicly on the issue.