JUDSONIA — The Judsonia City Council has appointed an interim leader after last month's death of Mayor Rickey Veach.
On Tuesday, the board unanimously approved the appointment of Ronnie Schlem as the city's interim mayor. Schlem is a former alderman who's lived in Judsonia since 1969.
Veach died Nov. 19 at the age of 66 after suffering a heart attack. He was first elected mayor in 1998 and held the position for 14 years.
The Daily Citizen reported that Veach was instrumental in building Judsonia's City Hall, adding to its police department and making many improvements to the city.
Schlem said he hopes to continue the work Veach left behind.