The ongoing $9 million renovation of the Mercer County Courthouse has everything inside in a mess. Hammering, sawing, polishing and other sounds of remodeling can be heard around court proceedings, government meetings and daily business at the courthouse.

Meetings and proceedings are moved as courtrooms and offices are redone. At one point last week, the two main courtrooms were closed. Sentencing hearings were held in the third courtroom; on Dec. 6, domestic relations hearings were held in the basement of a church across the street.

Last week, workers moved documents and files out of Judge Michael Wherry's office, prompting the judge to issue a bench warrant barring the removal or disconnection of the bench, books and electronic equipment without a court order.

"The judge was concerned some files may be lost or damaged in the move," said Peter A. Morin, court administrator. "Hopefully, the main courtrooms will be finished by the end of the month."

Until then, Wherry's books and resources are in Morin's office.

Wherry said he issued the order to prevent confusion.

"I came to work Monday," Wherry said, "and the court reporters told me the maintenance staff had been instructed to remove everything, the entire bench, from the area. I didn't want to have to go chasing around the courthouse looking for the people in charge to make sure nothing was misplaced.

"I just didn't have time to be tracking down my things," Wherry said. "I use those books, the computer, everything, on a daily basis for my work. I didn't want to not be able to find something."

Wherry said it probably "hadn't occurred to the people in charge" what removing the items without warning him would do.

"I issued the order so they wouldn't be able to move the things without permission," he said.

County Commissioner Olivia Lazor said the court order caught her "a little by surprise," but she understood Wherry's concerns.

"We're trying very hard to be sensitive to the court's schedules," she said. "It's a matter of trying to be flexible ... and trying to keep the project on schedule."

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Amanda Smith-Teutsch at: ateutsch@sharonherald.com