Benzel hired as Othello municipal court judge

OTHELLO — Current Adams County District Court Judge Carolyn Benzel will be the judge for the new Othello Municipal Court, which will begin operation in January. Currently Benzel is also the judge for the Othello District Court branch. Othello City Council members approved the contract at the regular meeting Monday. “I think we have a contract,” said Mayor Shawn Logan. “Other than maybe a couple of minor changes, all the major stuff is in there.” Hiring the judge, Logan said, will allow state officials to start the necessary procedures to get the new court connected to the proper agencies. “They’re going to get this actually started. Once we hired the judge, then they know we’re serious, I guess,” Logan said.