Our former editor, Jessica Bricker, would occasionally write her column about what was happening at The News-Banner. I always liked the transparency and hope to continue the tradition.
I often talk about how this newspaper is different than most. I don’t mean to imply that we’re revolutionizing the industry, but we place an emphasis on good, quality local journalism which is becoming a rarity for daily newspapers of our size these days.
Those of us who have worked at other newspapers are saddened by the state of our former employers. My first real job following college graduation was the newspaper in Columbia City. It has been bought and sold multiple times in the past few years. It now has fewer publication days, less staff and dramatically fewer readers than it did when I was there. It’s a common theme in most newspapers.
Recently, The News-Banner has been hammered by COVID. Nearly a third of our staff was out during July, including yours truly. I wrote a column last month about a horrible day that I recently had. By the time that column had printed, I was in quarantine.
If you are ever presented with the choice to get it or not, I would choose the latter.
But I digress.
Somewhere in the middle of my recovery, I received a phone call from our sports editor, Josh Burris. He had some news that he needed to share. Ugh. Josh’s last day was July 22. We wish him well. I am, however, happy to announce that we have hired his replacement and not a moment too soon with fall sports nearly upon us.
Keep an eye on these pages for details within the next week.
Part of the interviewing process included a tour of the community and our sports legacy. Being afforded the opportunity to walk down memory lane is something I treasure. I shared stories about Joe Smekens, who I didn’t work with but was blessed to have known, and Paul Beitler, who I did have the honor to work with. Between those two individuals, they covered more than 45 years of Wells County sports. Quite the tradition.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the pride that we all felt when Barb Barbieri was named grand marshal of this year’s Bluffton Free Street Fair.
A special honor for a special lady.
dougb@news-banner.com
