Sherburne County Promoting From Within to Fill County Attorney Vacancy

(KNSI) — The lead assistant county attorney for Sherburne County is being promoted to fill a vacancy in the office’s top spot.

Dawn Nyhus is replacing Kathleen Heaney, who has already announced she is resigning on April 30th. Nyhus will become county attorney the next day. Heaney had three decades of experience with the county. Nyhus is also well-versed in current cases and the office’s inner workings.

Nyhus was first hired as an assistant county attorney in the criminal division in February 2008. She was promoted to lead assistant in 2020 and assigned to civil cases last June.

Minnesota law requires the board of commissioners to appoint a replacement for a retiring county attorney. Nyhus will serve until January 4, 2027. She has the option of running for the post in the 2026 election to stay on in the job.