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GATESVILLE – Due to the anticipated increased traffic coupled with heightened security surrounding a high profile trial here this week, Gates County Administrative offices will be closed to the public July 22-24.

Departments closed include Tax, Public Utilities, Planning, Zoning & Inspections, Cooperative Extension, Farm Service Agency, Soil & Water Conservation, the Register of Deeds, and all administrative offices at the old courthouse.

Drop boxes for water bills and tax payments will remain accessible.

“Several factors influenced the decision to close the county offices in Gatesville this week,” said William M. Tutwiler, Gates County’s Emergency Manager/Fire Marshal. “The primary reason is the increased traffic and parking needs due to the large number of jurors arriving for a jury trial set to begin on Monday, which may take several days to complete.

“In a preponderance of caution for the large caseload this week, there will be additional security present to ensure the safe arrival of potential jurors, court personnel, and the transportation of defendants to the courthouse,” Tutwiler added.

Among the cases on the Gates County Superior Court docket this week is Brian K. Valentine. The Ahoskie man is one of two charged in an attempted murder that took place in the Sandbanks area of the county on Oct. 7, 2020.

Valentine is also linked to other violent crimes that occurred in 2020 and 2021 in Bertie and Hertford counties.

Additionally, Tutwiler said training sessions and ongoing repairs and improvement projects this week in Gatesville will also contribute to the heightened demand for parking and increased traffic in the area.

One of the repair projects involves renovations at the USDA/FSA Soil & Water Conservation offices.

County offices will be operating this week as regularly scheduled, and staff will be available for limited appointments and reached by telephone and email.

Despite these closures, no changes to current traffic patterns are expected.