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The vacancies were created in November when Common Pleas Judges Eric Brown and John A. Connor were elected to the Probate Court and Franklin County Court of Appeals, respectively.

Gov. Ted Strickland will fill the vacancies, but not immediately, spokeswoman Amanda Wurst said.

The Ohio Supreme Court has appointed Dale A. Crawford and Alan C. Travis to fill in until Strickland acts. Both are retired Common Pleas judges from Franklin County.

Strickland will take recommendations from the Ohio Judicial Appointments Recommendation Panel, a bipartisan committee that he created in January 2007 to screen applicants.

Among the applicants are political newcomers:

• Laurel A. Beatty, 34, daughter of former state Reps.