LINCOLN – David J. A. Bargen, Adams; Zachary L. Blackman, Lincoln; and Shaylene M. Smith, Crete, have submitted applications for appointment as District Court Judge in the 1st Judicial District consisting of Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, and Thayer counties. The primary place of office for the judicial vacancy is Saline County, Wilber, Nebraska. The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge Vicky L. Johnson.

The public hearing of the Judicial Nominating Commission will be held in the District Court Courtroom, Third Floor, Saline County Courthouse, 204 South High Street, Wilber, Nebraska, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on April 5, 2022.  The Commission will interview all applicants for the office at that time. 

Any member of the public shall be entitled to attend the public hearing to express, either orally or in writing, his or her views concerning candidates for the judicial vacancy.

Those wishing to present written information may do so by mailing it to the Commission Chair no later than March 29, 2022, at the following address: Justice Stephanie F. Stacy, Nebraska Supreme Court, PO Box 98910, Lincoln, NE 68509 or emailing it to dawn.mussmann@nebraska.gov.   

The Nebraska Supreme Court continues to carefully monitor the evolving circumstances presented by COVID-19, including monitoring updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local Directed Health Measures from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.  As of the date of this press release, this judicial nominating commission public hearing will be held in person.  Should circumstances change, a new press release will be issued.

A listing of the members of the Judicial Nominating Commission can be found on the Nebraska Judicial Branch Web site at https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/judicial-nominating-commission-first-district-district-court.

For special accommodations relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call (402) 471-3730.  For persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, please call the Nebraska Relay System, 7-1-1. AA/EOE.