Four Troy area officials will soon take the oath of office to begin another term of leading the citizens of Pike County.

Probate Judge Wes Allen, District Judge William Hightower, Circuit Judge Tom Head and Circuit Clerk Jamie Scarbrough will officially begin new terms on January 10.

Allen said that he and his staff will strive to make Pike County a better place.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve Pike County and its 32,000 citizens,” said Allen. “My goal is to work hard every day to serve the citizens and look out for them.”

Scarbrough has been working in the Pike County Circuit Court system for nearly two decades, and has worked in a variety of different divisions in the courthouse.

“I started at the bottom, putting up files, and just moved around from there,” said Scarbrough. “I moved to different offices and was able to learn the different divisions of court. It is just an indescribable feeling to be able serve everyone.”

Hightower is the longest serving district judge in the state of Alabama, and has never had a decision reversed in an appeal.

Head is beginning another term as a circuit judge for Pike County. He will serve in Alabama’s 12th Judicial Circuit consisting of Pike County and Coffee County.

Keith Watkins, a Pike County native and Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, will give the oaths to the incumbents.

“It really means a lot to have a local, hometown person to preside over the ceremony. It means a lot to all of us,” Scarbrough said.

The ceremony is set for 6 p.m. on Jan. 10 in the main courtroom of the Pike County Courthouse. The event is open to the public.