From Staff reports

The telephone system at the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office remained out of order Saturday night, with callers to the office hearing a continual busy signal.

The emergency 911 system continues to function, Sheriff Frank Davis said.

The office phones went down Thursday night, said Davis. “It’s this same system we’ve been fighting and talking about for I don’t know how long now,” Davis said when reached Saturday. “They’re working on it.”

Anyone needing to reach the sheriff’s office for non-emergencies can call the alternate number, 601-437-3834.

Claiborne County officials purchased the system in 2005 for $250,000, an expenditure that came under investigation when it was revealed that the transaction was not put out to bid first. In addition, no minutes of supervisor meetings show that the matter was discussed first.

In April, service was disrupted for four days, and officials spent another $1,500 on repair equipment. In addition, phone service was disrupted several times in 2006 and 2007.