RUSSELL–The Russell County Republican Central Committee will meet Thursday, Dec. 3, to elect a person to replace the retiring Russell County Sheriff John Fletcher.

The person’s name will be submitted to Kan. Gov. Sam Brownback for appointment to the position and serving the unexpired term until Jan. 2017 following the Nov. 2016 election.

The committee meeting will be held at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the Russell VFW Building, 248 Bob Dole Drive.

Fletcher’s resignation as sheriff is effective Dec. 31. He has served as the Russell County Sheriff since 1999, when he was first appointed to fill an unexpired term. Fletcher will remain the Russell County Administrator.

Russell County Undersheriff Fred Whitman will serve as acting sheriff.

The public is invited to the John R. Fletcher Retirement Roast Wed., Dec. 9,  3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Russell Elks Lodge Ballroom, 520 S. Front Street.