People in trouble with the law who are facing court appearances in Carbon County will have to walk up the stairs for a few more weeks.

Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard reported Thursday that the main elevator in the courthouse, which has been broken since early February, has been repaired by Schindler Elevator Corporation of Allentown at a cost of $22,684. That elevator provides access to courtrooms 1 and 2.But, the bad news, Gerhard said, is that it cannot be used by people until the state comes in to inspect the repairs. No date has been set for the inspection, but it could take up to three weeks before it is approved and back in service for everyone."We're not really happy with that," Gerhard said, "but we have to follow the rules."Until then, there are plans in place to accommodate people with disabilities who need to get to these courtrooms.If a person with disabilities must go before a judge in courtroom 2, which is located on the third floor, the court staff and the judges would accommodate them by moving courtrooms.People who must go before Judge Steven Serfass in courtroom 3 still have access to an elevator, but that elevator does not provide public access to the rest of the 120-year-old building.In other matters, Gerhard said that the state inspected the Carbon County Animal Shelter on March 7 and it "passed with flying colors."He again commended Tom Connors, director of the shelter, and his staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the dogs.