District court applicants sent on to Gov. Pillen

The retirement of Terri Harder from her judgeship as a district court judge for the 10th Judicial district created a vacancy.

A nominating committee was formed to review the applicants for the position from each of the applicants. They make a selection of two candidates whose names have been forwarded to the governor within 90 days of the vacancy. It is now up to the governor to make the final selection. There is no time limit set on the appointment.

The 10th Judicial district includes the district courts of Adams, Clay, Franklin, Harlan, Kearney, Nuckolls, Phelps and Webster counties.

The district court hears felony and family matter cases.

The public hearing to consider the candidates was held last Tuesday at the Adams County Courthouse in Hastings.

There were five applicants for the position.

Melodie L. Turner Bellamy, Grand Island, Dale Callahan, Hastings, Timothy Hoeft and John Sauder, both from Holdrege.

The office of the selected candidate can be Hastings, Minden or Holdrege. Harder had her office in Minden.

Hoeft is currently sitting as a county court judge for the 10th district with more than 10 years of experience.

Callahan is a deputy county attorney in Adams County.

Boyle is a deputy county attorney in Hall County. He had applied for a previous judgeship.

Bellamy is the county attorney for Kearney, Harlan and Franklin counties. She also has a private law practice.

Sauder is a partner in a private law firm.

The governor will announce his choice when he has made his selection. It is hoped the appointee can be sitting on the bench by the end of September.