By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Dan Reeves’ final day on the bench at the Shelby County Courthouse will be March 1, and the county currently is accepting nominations for his replacement.

On Jan. 19, Reeves announced his retirement date, launching the Shelby County Judicial Nominating Commission’s process to find his replacement.

Reeves has been serving as the 18th Judicial Circuit Judge since 1998, and served as the Shelby County circuit clerk from 1988-1998. In June 2015, Reeves announced he would not seek another term as judge, and said he planned to step down in early 2016.

His current term is not set to expire until early 2017.

When announcing his retirement, Reeves said he is looking forward to spending more time with family members after his retirement, and praised the team of people who have supported the Shelby County Circuit Court system during his tenure.

Reeves also cited the combination of a growing caseload without additional personnel in the Shelby County Circuit Court system as a reason for his retirement.

During the March 1 Republican primary election, voters will decide who will take over Reeves’ spot in 2017, as candidates Lara McCauley Alvis, Patrick Kennedy and Timothy “Tim” Smith have qualified for the race.

However, the person elected during this year’s elections will not take office until January 2017, meaning Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley must appoint a new judge to serve out the remainder of Reeves’ current term.

The county’s Judicial Nominating Commission, which consists of members Judge H.L. Conwill, Doug Key, Jim Pino. Dr. C. Dale Elliott and Rux Bentley, currently is accepting nominations to finish out Reeves’ term, and will do so through 9 a.m. on Feb. 17.

Nominations must be submitted in writing to any Commission member, and each nominee will be required to sign an authorization allowing the Commission to obtain information on them from federal, state and local government agencies.

The Commission will meet at 9 a.m. on Feb. 17 to certify and announce the list of candidates, and will meet again at 1:30 p.m. on March 2 to select three nominees whose names will be submitted to Bentley.

Bentley will then have 90 days to fill the vacancy.