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Alcona sheriff retires, undersheriff appointed

HARRISVILLE — Undersheriff Scott Stephenson was appointed as the next sheriff to serve and protect Alcona County, effective upon the May 1 retirement of Sheriff Doug Atchison on May 1.

The Alcona County Election Commission announced Stephenson’s appointment on Thursday.

“Although we are sad to see Sheriff Atchison leave, we have a great amount of confidence that Undersheriff Stephenson will carry on the fine traditions of the office of the Alcona County Sheriff with the utmost integrity and respect,” Probate Judge Laura Frawley said in a written statement.

It wasn’t immediately clear why Atchison retired halfway through his term. Neither he nor Stephenson could be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Atchison was last elected in 2016. State law allows county election commissions to appoint a successor if a sheriff leaves office past the halfway point of a four-year term.

Stephenson will serve the remainder of Atchison’s term, which expires in 2020, when voters will decide who serves as sheriff until 2024.

The Alcona County Election Commission is comprised of Frawley, Prosecuting Attorney Tom Weichel, and County Clerk Stephanie Eller.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.

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