Officials said four full-time sheriff's office dispatchers and nine full-time deputies are off the job as of Thursday.

The layoffs are the second round at the office.

The office was working with a skeleton crew Thursday afternoon and there was only one road deputy out on patrol. Two road deputies were sent to Bellaire for court duty.

Sheriff Fred Thompson said the Belmont County Communications Center will handle emergency calls.

The sheriff said his office started the year with 58 deputies and it now has 30.

The cuts came after the sheriff's budget was cut more than $1 million. Last month, the county auditor said the sheriff's office could not afford to make payroll.

Also in Belmont County, dispatchers at the 911 center said their phone line was accidentally cut Friday while crews dug near the building.

In case of emergency, people should call 740-310-6882 or 740-310-6076.

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