COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - Ralph Kimble says his number one job is to make sure our society is protected. Kimble was sworn into office Wednesday as the new Branch County Prosecutor. Kimble added that he needs to put away and set aside any individual feelings because his task as Prosecutor is about all of us together. Kimble succeeds Terri Norris, who lost out in the August primary for Probate Judge.

Also taking the oath of office yesterday from Circuit Judge Bill O’Grady was the new Probate Court Judge Kirk Kashian, himself a former Branch County prosecutor who left office at the end of 2008 after being defeated in the August primary that year by Norris. Kashian said yesterday it’s been his honor and privilege to serve Branch County and he looks forward to continuing to do so

2013 also has started with several new elected officials, including Sheriff John Pollack, Probate Judge Kirk Kashian, and Prosecutor Ralph Kimble. County Clerk Terri Kubasiak administered the oath of office to Pollack on Friday while Kashian and Kimble took the oath of office today in the courtroom of Circuit Judge Bill O’Grady