WATSONTOWN -- William F. Kear, magisterial district judge in northern Northumberland County for 24 years, has announced his candidacy for another term.

Kear serves the boroughs of Milton, Watsontown and McEwensville, as well as East Chillisquaque, West Chillisquaque, Delaware, Lewis and Turbot townships, from offices at 1 Broadway, Milton.

A lifelong resident of the region, Kear was appointed to his seat by Gov. Richard Thornburg on April 2, 1985. Before his appointment, he was sergeant of the Watsontown Police Department for more than 10 years. He attended Warrior Run schools and graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy and Valley Forge Military College.

He is a member of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Turbotville. He is a board member and former treasurer of the Montgomery House Warrior Run Area Public Library and also sits on the board of West Milton State Bank.

He is a member of Clyde F. Mowrer American Legion Post 323, Watsontown Masonic Lodge 401 and the Williamsport Consistory.

Kear developed and implemented a juvenile community service work program, in which members of local Lions and Lioness clubs supervise juvenile offenders in community service efforts.

Kear and his wife, Jean, will celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary this spring.