Judge Pasell Stepping Down, Sets Up Spring Election

For the first time in eight years, residents of La Crosse County will get to fill an open seat in circuit court in the spring…

Judge Dale Pasell has made a surprise retirement announcement, saying he’ll step down in a month, barely halfway through his current term:

(Click for Audio)

Pasell has been the only judge in La Crosse County’s Branch 5, since it was established in 1999.  His departure means that county voters are likely to elect a judge to an open seat in April, for the first time since two judges retired in 2007.