Powell resigns as IC prosecutor

CRYSTAL FALLS — Iron County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Powell announced on April 6 that she has resigned her position to take a job in the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s office.
    Powell, who made the announcement on Facebook, said her resignation will take effect on May 28. The candidate review and appointment will be performed by 41st Circuit Court Judges, which include Iron County Judge Donald Powell, Mary Barglind and Christopher Ninomiya.
    Barglind, as chief judge of the circuit court, will have the final decision. She said in a letter posted on Facebook that attorneys interested in the position need to submit their materials by April 19.
    “We wish to thank Prosecutor Powell for her many years of service in Iron County, and we wish her the very best on her new endeavor,” Barglind added.
    The Iron County Prosecuting Attorney is an elected Iron County official serving a four-year term. Powell was initially appointed to prosecutor in 2006 by the 41st Circuit Court judges following the death of then-prosecutor Joseph Sartorelli. Powell retained her seat following a contested election in 2008 and ran unopposed in 2012, 2016 and 2020.
    Powell became Iron County’s assistant prosecutor in 2002.
    Attempts by the Reporter to obtain comment from Powell prior to press time on April 9 were unsuccessful.