This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Just in time for Halloween, bats have infested a St. George courthouse.

Employees in one of the 5th District courtrooms could hear the creatures Thursday morning, though they couldn't see them, said spokeswoman Nancy Volmer. Because of the noise, the courthouse moved that judge's proceedings to another room for the day, Volmer said.

"We're not sure how the bats got into the building," located at 206 Tabernacle St., Volmer said. Facility personnel were investigating the matter to prevent such an invasion in the future.

As of Thursday afternoon, Volmer had not heard a confirmation about how many bats had infested the courthouse.

The court called the Utah Division of Natural Resources to help them solve the winged mammal problem. The division has set up a method to draw the bats out, so that they can capture them, but Volmer was unaware of what that method is.

She assured that the public is safe to enter the courthouse.

"There's nothing to fear."

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