By Sterling McGinn
Luce County will again be without a prosecutor.
Last week, new Luce County Prosecutor Tom Evans announced his intent to leave the position on October 6, 2025.
Evans, a 28-year attorney, was appointed to the position with a term beginning on January 2, 2025. Evans replaced Cameron Harwell, who was hired November 1, 2023. Harwell left Luce County on October 10, 2024. For approximately two months, the county relied on the Attorney General’s office for prosecution until Evans arrived.
Evans has accepted a position as County Prosecutor for Lake County, Michigan, near Baldwin and Ludington.
Though he expressed his regrets for leaving, Evans said his decision was based on family reasons, wanting to be closer to his family and animals.
“I am leaving the best job that I have ever had,” he said. He noted the great working relationships with his fellow courthouse staff, especially his office manager Wendy Osterhout and Sheriff Eric Gravelle. He also appreciates his original appointment to the position, which was made by Circuit Court Judge Brian Rahilly.
Evans, a Michigan native, has more than 16 years of experience in prosecution. Prior to moving to Newberry, Evans served as assistant prosecutor for Clare County. He also served as prosecutor for Barry and Montmorency counties.
Evans said that cases had been quite behind in Luce County when he arrived. “Thing were stacked up,” he said. He began working through many of the cases for the last 10 months and said that he is hoping to get them all caught up before his departure in a couple of weeks.
“Though my stay was short, we made great advancement both administratively and with technology,” Evans said. He introduced the electronic court case filing system to the county.
“We have done our best going to court,” said Evans. “We had mostly good results for the people of Luce County. The office is much better because of what we have done in the last 10 months.”
Evans’ last day in Luce County will be Monday October 6, which is also Circuit Court motion day.
In the meantime, Luce County is actively searching for a new prosecutor. If a replacement is not found before Evans departs, the county will have to use the Attorney General’s office for prosecution.
Evans said he would assist in the transition of a new prosecutor.
