JNC Advances Finalists for Sixth District; Juvenile Court JNC Hearing Rescheduled

The Judicial Nominating Commission for the County Court in the Sixth Judicial District has selected two finalists for Gov. Pete Ricketts’ consideration.

Francis W. Barron III of Arlington and Timothy M. Schulz of Fremont were selected by the commission for the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge C. Matthew Samuelson.

Seven people applied for the opening. A public hearing was held Jan. 31 in Blair.

Judges in the Sixth Judicial District serve Burt, Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Thurston and Washington Counties. The new judge will be primarily based in Blair but will also assist one day a week in Fremont.

In a different judicial vacancy, a public hearing was rescheduled for later this month.

Ten candidates are seeking a spot on the Lancaster County Juvenile Court bench after the retirement of Judge Toni Thorson.

A public hearing had been scheduled by the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Separate Juvenile Court in Lancaster County for Jan. 30. The hearing will now be held Thursday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m. at the Supreme Court in the Nebraska State Captiol, 1445 K St. in Lincoln.

The juvenile court candidates are Wendy L. Elston of Seward; Seth J. Felton of Lincoln; Jennifer A. Huxoll of Palmyra; Natalie G. Nelsen of Holdrege; Mark D. Raffety of Omaha; C. J. Roberts of Lincoln; Hazell G. Rodriguez of Lincoln; Michelle D. Sabata of Lincoln; David P. Thompson of Lincoln; and Elise M. W. White of Lincoln.

The public is welcome to attend the hearing and present information about any of the candidates.