Selection process begins for judge

The state’s Judicial Nomination Commission is taking applications to fill the position of Flathead County District Judge Ted O. Lympus, who will retire at the end of August.

The chosen judge will serve until the 2016 election, at which point he or she may run as a candidate.

The elected judge will serve the remainder of Lympus’ term, which ends in January 2019.

The job pays $126,132 a year.

The application form is available online at http://courts.mt.gov.

The deadline to apply is Aug. 12. The commission will then take public comments on the candidates until Sept. 12.

The commission will forward the names of three to five nominees to Gov. Steve Bullock, who will make the appointment.

The seven-member nomination commission includes Mona Charles of Kalispell and Ryan Rusche of Columbia Falls.

Lympus announced his retirement last week. A news release from District Court said that he intends to spend more time with his family.