After 22 years as a state district judge in a three-county district, Judge John C. McKeon will hang up his robe in November.

"I've tried to do my job studiously, hardworking and timely and confidently throughout this entire tenure," he said.

For McKeon, the decision to retire as the district judge in Blaine, Phillips and Valley counties wasn't necessarily an easy one, but "it was just time."

McKeon grew up in Malta, went to school at Gonzaga University and University of Montana, now lives in Malta and plans to stay in Malta after retiring.

McKeon was in the Malta courthouse Tuesday, tal...