By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Six seats remain in the first Shelby County Citizens’ Sheriff’s Academy, which will be held in March.

The 12-week program will offer everything from firearm safety training, practice on the sheriff’s gun range, a ride-along with a deputy and a tour of the Shelby County Jail.

The deadline to apply for the academy is Feb. 15, according to Dr. Richard Dormuth, who is developing the program.

The courses typically will be held at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Training Center in Columbiana on Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. The first and third courses will be in the main building of the Sheriff’s Office.

The program is open to anyone 18 or older who lives or works in Shelby County and passes a criminal background check and driver’s license check.

For more information, visit Shelbyso.com and click on “My Shelby SO.” The link leads to the application package and additional information. Contact Dormuth at ddormuth@shelbyso.com with questions.