KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Buffalo County District Judge John Icenogle has announced his plans to retire by the end of the year.

The 66-year-old Icenogle has served nearly 40 years on the bench.

He has notified both the Nebraska Supreme Court and Gov. Pete Ricketts of his plans.

Icenogle’s retirement will be effective Jan. 1. Applications to fill Icenogle’s vacancy are being accepted.

Icenogle graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1967 and received his juris doctorate in 1974 from Tulane University. He worked in private practice for two years in Kearney before becoming a county court judge in Buffalo and Hall counties in 1976.

In 1990, he was appointed to his current judgeship in the 9th Judicial District.