BETHEL – The hub community of Bethel will be without a district court judge for now. The Alaska Judicial Council said Tuesday it would postpone filling the sole district court seat indefinitely.
The position became open earlier this year when then-Bethel District Judge Nathaniel Peters was appointed to move up to Superior Court.
The council in April sought someone to replace Peters, but as of the May 5 deadline had "received very few applications for the position." The agency serves as a clearinghouse for Alaska judgeships.
The Alaska Supreme Court agreed with its decision not to fill the Bethel position at this time, the council said.
District court judges hear misdemeanor cases and handle preliminary matters in felony cases. District courts tend to be the busiest in Alaska. In Bethel the position pays $210,852 a year.
Bethel has two Superior Court judges. The council said the needs of the region would still be met.