Des Moines, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — The judicial shuffle continues in Northwest Iowa.

District 3A Judge John Sandy from Spirit Lake has now officially been sworn in as a member of the Iowa Court of Appeals. Associate Judge Andrew Smith of Alta has been named to fill the vacancy. There were fix applicants for Smith’s position: Kristi Busse from Spencer, Elizabeth Elsten from Spirit Lake, Ashely Herrig from Greenville, Nolan McGowan from Sibley, Ben Meyer from Laurens, and Elizabeth Specketer from Rembrandt.

A nominating commission interviewed them all last week in Sioux City and will forward two names to the Governor for consideration – Busse and Specketer. Bussee currently serves as the Assistant Clay County Attorney.

District 3A encompasses Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, and Palo Alto Counties.