Hutchinson ? Reno County District Judge Richard Rome remains on the bench thanks to a change in state law.

He was in court Friday, hearing a docket full of divorce and child support cases. Without the law change, that hearing would have been his last. Rome turned 75 Saturday.

The new law allows all judges who turn 75 during their term to complete their term if they choose and then retire.

There also had been different rules for Supreme Court judges, and the law changed that. Rome said he’s “very grateful” the Legislature changed the law.