BENTON — Franklin County Government officials are inviting you to join them for a decommissioning ceremony for the Franklin County Courthouse on Monday, Feb. 17 at 2:30 p.m. at the courthouse on the Benton Square.

Officials will lower the flag from the 1875 Franklin County Courthouse for the final time. The ceremony will then move across the street where the flag will be raised at the court’s temporary home in the Campbell Building.

Demolition of the old courthouse is expected to begin in the near future with new courthouse construction starting later this year. The new $20.8 million courthouse is expected to open late next year.