Deal names new juvenile justice head

Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday appointed Gale Buckner as the new commissioner of the Georgie Department of Juvenile Justice. Buckner replaces Amy Howell, who will become general counsel for the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Buckner, former GBI agent, is in the waning months of a seven-year term on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Deal announced in September former state Rep. James Mills, R-Gainesville, would take her place on the board when her term expired Dec. 31.