YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) -- Following action by Mahoning County Commissioners Thursday morning, work could begin soon to make some proactive repairs to the roof of the century-old courthouse downtown.

After spending $8 million over the last decade refurbishing the courthouse exterior, workers discovered problems with the mortar used to bond the terracotta bricks atop the parapet that rings the building's roofline.

"The mortar was allowing moisture to run down the parapet wall, going into the flashing," said Jim Fortunato, Mahoning County purchasing director.

Last November, commissioners approved spending $65,000 replacing the mortar with lead strips to bond the bricks together. That work was completed in the spring, but that left the flashing on the roof, which was pulling away from the

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