An attorney from Jewell has been hired as an assistant county attorney in the Webster County Attorney’s Office.

Doug Cook, a private practice attorney and public defender, began his employment with the county on Monday. Cook will fill the vacancy created by the departure of former First Assistant Webster County Attorney Ryan Baldridge, who left earlier this summer to work as a prosecutor in the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

“I’d like to welcome Doug on board, I think he’s going to be fantastic,” said Webster County Attorney Darren Driscoll. “Doug’s been practicing for roughly 33, 32 years, and he’s well-regarded in criminal and juvenile law.”

The Webster County Board of Supervisors formally approved Cook’s hiring during its regular meeting on Tuesday morning. He will receive an annual salary of $100,000.

The county attorney’s office still has one vacancy for an assistant county attorney due to Ashley Beisch’s appointment as district associate judge last Friday.