Gov. Ricketts appoints new judge to district court

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Central Nebraska has a new judge.

Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed Patrick M. Lee, of Kearney, as District Court Judge in the 9th Judicial District, which consists of Buffalo and Hall Counties.

The 37-year-old has worked in the Buffalo County Attorney's Office as deputy attorney since 2011.

He was appointed to the district court to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Mark J. Young. 

Lee was among three judicial appointments by Ricketts on Monday.