SANDPOINT — Bonner County Magistrate Court Judge Barbara Buchanan has reportedly been appointed to the 1st District Court bench by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter.

She is the first woman to be appointed to the bench in the 1st Judicial District.

A formal announcement from the governor's office is pending.

Buchanan will succeed Judge Steve Verby, who transitions to senior status this month. Buchanan, Sandpoint attorney Brent Featherston, St. Maries attorney Richard Christensen and Kootenai County Magistrate Court Judge Scott Wayman were picked as finalists to succeed Verby by the Idaho Judicial Council in November.