Under the cover of darkness, Sheila Garretson resigned as Clerk of the Circuit Court in the month of December 2025. No formal announcement was made, the acknowledgement of service by the Calhoun County Commission went un-attended by Garretson and her office set empty, awaiting appointment by Chief Judge Lora Dyer, who conferred with both Judges Anita Ashley and Richard Tatterson in the decision of who would replace Garretson.
Without a formal announcement to the community, the Judges apparently appointed Samantha Hicks, former Deputy Circuit Clerk and wife of Prosecuting Attorney Michael Hicks to fill the position. But within less than one week, Mrs. Hicks tendered her resignation effective January 14th, 2026, and the Judges appointed Maria Arnold to the position of Circuit Clerk. Mrs. Arnold will assume the Clerk’s role on January 14th, 2026.
An Administrative Order was received by the Calhoun County Commission on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 as follows:
