Yuri Cole, who previously worked as the Assistant County Courtroom Clerk in Keith County, has been selected to serve as Keith County Court Clerk Magistrate in Ogallala. Her official work as Clerk Magistrate began March 2, 2026.

“Yuri’s experience and calm demeanor equip her to navigate challenges with confidence and to excel in her new position,” according to Trial Court Services Director Sara Fowler.

County court clerk magistrates work under the general direction of the presiding county judge supervising, assigning, and directing the work of all staff within the county court. The position carries a high level of responsibility for the people, paperwork, finances, and records of the court. Cole will be responsible for ensuring the efficiency of the court’s administrative functions and for investigating and evaluating potential procedural changes.

Cole will work in the 11th Judicial District with fellow clerk magistrates Linda Smith of Trenton, Gretchen Wiebe of Hayes Center and McCook, Brenda Cochran of Mullen, Stapleton, Thedford and Tryon, Annette Shafer of North Platte, Myndee Hagan of Lexington and Elwood, Kathy Woodmancy of Grant, Pandora Garcia of Benkelman, Jennifer Raburn of Beaver City, Traci Loker of Stockville, and Karen Mueller of Imperial. Judges Joel Jay, Anne Paine, Tanya Roberts-Connick, Kortnei Smith, and Jeffrey Wightman preside over the courts and direct magistrates in the 11th District. The Judicial District includes Arthur, Chase, Dawson, Dundy, Furnas, Frontier, Gosper, Hayes, Hitchcock, Hooker, Keith, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Red Willow, and Thomas counties.