UPDATE: List of court closures grows

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The Jackson County Circuit Court will close Tuesday because of severe weather, court spokeswoman Mary Jacobi announced this afternoon. This is the first time the court in Kansas City has closed to the public in more than three years.

However, the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District in Kansas City is expected to remain open, according to Clerk Terence Lord. No oral arguments are scheduled for Tuesday. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri also was scheduled to open Tuesday.

Boone County Circuit Court and the University of Missouri also added themselves to the growing list of institutions that will close tomorrow as a severe winter storm crawls across Missouri.

Earlier this afternoon, staff at the Boone County Circuit Court decided to cancel dockets for Tuesday and Wednesday, said Mary Epping, assistant to the court administrator. The building will also be closed Tuesday.

The court will decide Tuesday afternoon if it will also close its doors Wednesday.

The University of Missouri — the law school included — is shutting down its campus tomorrow. Students and faculty received an e-mail notice of the closure today, and another e-mail will follow tomorrow if the school will be closed Wednesday.

The St. Charles County Courthouse closed at noon today, except for Division 2, according to an announcement sent out to news organizations. The presiding judge and circuit clerk will remain on duty until 5 p.m.

At the state Capitol, House leaders say sessions will be held as planned this week, though some committees have chosen to cancel hearings on legislation. Senate leaders will decide later whether to continue with business as usual in coming days. Chief Justice William Ray Price Jr. is scheduled to make an annual address to lawmakers on Wednesday.

St. Louis Circuit Court will make a decision tomorrow morning about whether to open Tuesday. No decision has been made yet in St. Louis County.

The Eastern District Court of Appeals will be closed tomorrow and has canceled oral arguments. The court is open for filings today, but has a shortened staff.

The 8^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals plans to be open tomorrow and Wednesday but might have fewer staff than usual, said Clerk Michael Gans.

The federal district court in St. Louis is continually monitoring the weather and will post an announcement on its website if it closes. The federal court in Kansas City will make the call tomorrow.