Henderson and Kaufman Counties kicked of the new year by swearing in new officials for managge local government.

In Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, who had been acting sheriff since longtime incumbent Ray Nutt retired in the summer, took office officially after winning the March Republican Primary and facing no opponent in the November general eledtion.

Former District Attorney Scott McKee was sworn in as 392nd District Court Judge and he in turn swore in Mark Hall as the new district attorney.

On the Commissioners Court Ken Hayes replaced Scotty Thomas as Precinct 1 Commissioner, and Chuck Mcham replaced Ronny Lawrence as Precinct 3 Commissioner. They joined incumbents Precinct 2 Commissioner Wade McKinney and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin, as welll as County Judge Richard Sanders.

In Kaufman County Bryan Beavers was sworn in as the new sheriff, replacing veteran David Byrnes.

County Judge Bruce Wood appointed Michael David Hunt as Precinct 1 Commissioner after Greg Starek,  the winner of the Republican Primary in March who faced no opponent, advised the court he would decline to be sworn in.

Wood appointed Hunt to the job until the next general election when voters will choose who should fill the seat. Hunt is a retired firefighter who lives in Terrell and previously served on the Terrell School Board and the Kaufman County Appraisal District Board.

Precint 1 Commissioner Jimmy Joe Vrzalik was defeated by Starek in the Republican Primary, and Precinct 3 Commissioner Ken Schoen was replaced by Terry Barber, who also won the March Republican Primary.