RISON - District 8 Justice of the Peace Johnie Brewster of the Macedonia community south of Rison announced Monday night that he was resigning from the Cleveland County Quorum Court effective Oct. 1.Brewster told his fellow justices of the peace about his resignation at the end of Monday night's regular monthly meeting. Brewster said he is completing a move to Grant County and will no longer be a resident of Cleveland County, therefore requiring him to step down.Brewster's term expires Dec. 31, 2024, and he will be replaced by Jeffrey Smith on Jan. 1, 2025. Smith won the Republican primary over Corey Keaton in March. Since no other candidates ran for the office, Smith will take over the seat in January.Justice of the Peace District 8 extends roughly along Hwy. 35 south of Rison, and also includes an area south of Hwy. 114.Cleveland County Judge Jimmy Cummings said it is unlikely that an appointment will be made to fill the vacancy. He said the quorum court will have to officially declare the office vacant during its Oct. 7 meeting, and then the governor would have to make an appointment to fill vacancy. Cummings said it has historically taken the governor's office about four to six months to fill a vacancy, which means the position will be filled before an appointment is made....
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