From Rindi White in Wasilla:
Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday she appointed Palmer District Court Judge Gregory L. Heath to the Palmer Superior Court, filling a vacancy created when longtime Superior Court judge Beverly Cutler decided earlier this year to resign.

Heath was appointed to serve as a district court judge in 2003. Prior to that, he worked as an attorney and supervisor at the Alaska Public Defender Agency in Palmer, and as a prosecutor in Missoula County, Montana. According to information from the state, Heath earned a bachelor's degree in political science and history from the University of Montana and a law degree from the University of Montana School of Law in 1993.

Heath was one of seven candidates the Alaska Judicial Council considered to fill the seat. Palin made her choice based on the council's recommendation. The other candidates were: Richard Kenneth Allen, assistant district attorney in Palmer; Christopher C. Canterbury, in private practice in Palmer; Michael Gershel, in private practice in Anchorage; Windy East Hannaman, deputy director of the state Office of Public Advocacy; J. Michael Robbins, in private practice in Anchorage; and Nicholas Spiropoulos, Mat-Su Borough attorney.

Palin also announced on Friday two other judicial appointments in Fairbanks: Patrick S. Hemmers was appointed to Fairbanks District Court and Michael P. McConahy to Fairbanks Superior Court.

In Alaska, district courts preside over state misdemeanors, violations of city and borough ordinances. They may also hold preliminary hearings in felony criminal cases, try civil cases valued at less than $100,000 and small claims cases valued at less than $10,000, hear domestic violence cases, and issue summonses, arrest warrants and search warrants.