Heineman Appoints County Court Judge for 12th Judicial District - KHGI-TV/KWNB-TV/KHGI-CD-Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings

Gov. Dave Heineman has selected a new county court judge to serve the 12^th Judicial District which was left vacant by the retirement of Judge Charles Plantz.

Heineman appointed Paul G. Wess of Chadron to the seat serving Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan and Sioux counties.

Since 2004, Wess has served Dawes County as the Dawes County Public Defender, and since 2006, he has served as the felony Public Defender for Sheridan County. Formerly Wess also served as the Box Butte Deputy Public Defender.

"I am very pleased to have been selected," said Wess. "I look forward to continuing to serve the people of this district."

Wess earned a degree from Chadron State College and his Juris Doctor from University of Nebraska College of Law.