'We're moving forward:' Kenosha County Courthouse, post office reopen

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- For the first time in more than two weeks, the Kenosha County Courthouse opened to the public Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Despite having to walk through a fenced off area into the county complex, through boarded doors, and face a slightly higher law enforcement presence, operations have returned to the same state as they were before Aug. 24.

“It shows that we’re moving forward," Kenosha County Clerk of Courts Rebecca Matoska-Mentik said. "That we’re starting to settle down. Law enforcement was here and did their job.” 

The Kenosha Post Office also reopened Tuesday after temporarily shifting operations to Pleasant Prairie.

“I've been meaning to mail a package," Jeanie Tudjan said on Tuesday at the post office. "I was going to go to Pleasant Prairie, but then called them and figured out they’re open today, so I’m glad.”

Things are not entirely back to normal at either building. There are still precautions to prevent people from contracting COVID-19. Jury trials are going back to being held in person at the courthouse, but the rooms for jury selection and trial will be limited.

“We can put that amount of people into a socially distanced area, hand sanitizer, some COVID screening tools,” Matoska-Mentik said.

Masks will also be mandated to enter the building. The temporary drop box at the Kenosha County Job Center for court filings has been closed.

The other county buildings on the county campus are still closed to the public until further notice.