A grateful goodbye

Seven years ago, I walked through the doors of The Ritzville Journal to start my career as a journalist. I knew the role would help shape my future, but did not have any idea how much the next few years would impact my life.

It has been an absolute pleasure to serve our local communities, and is with a heavy heart that I announce this will be my final publication as Editor in Charge of The Journal. After extensive deliberation, I have decided to resign from my position in order to make necessary changes in my life.

Change is always scary, but I have the utmost confidence that the incoming Journal staff will continue to improve our product and be an integral part of our eastern Adams County communities. Any transition is never flawless, and I ask our readership to continue to support our business and be patient while the new staff settles in.

It is with great pleasure to introduce Brandon Cline as the new managing editor of The Journal. He brings enthusiasm, positivity, strong editorial skills and an interest to be in a small town that I know will benefit not only his career, but also improve the overall product of The Journal.

We also are welcoming Nina Negrete Green to the customer service/sales position. She will be handling all sales for the company, with the assistance of our intern, Lacey Miller. The two are excited to work together and help expand the advertising base for our publication.

Following the resignation of Al Stover, we currently have a vacant reporter position. Brandon will be in charge of all editorial content until a new reporter is hired, which is a challenging task but one Brandon is ready to face.

I have loved serving as the informational source for the area, but throughout the last few years, I have made the unfortunate transition into working more hours and not making myself the priority in my own life. After making this realization, I know I need to take a risk and make a change to find more balance in my life.

The role as reporter and then as managing editor offered a chance to expand my skill set by providing me with new opportunities on a nearly daily basis. It is common in small towns for employees to have to wear multiple hats, but that provides people with an opportunity to diversify their skills, which was one of the greatest benefits of my roles with The Journal.

I am grateful to Stephen McFadden for taking a chance on a small-town girl from Oregon, who had a degree in journalism, but lacked practical experience in the news room and for giving me a job I had only dreamed I would have at some point in my life.

Two and a half years later, Free Press Publishing took that same risk and hired me to the role of managing editor. I can never express my level of gratitude for others seeing my potential and challenging me to succeed.

Unlike my classmates in college, my journalistic dreams were focused on finding a job in community journalism. I wanted to be a part of a publication that focused on positivity, community and schools.

Being at The Ritzville Journal allowed me to highlight those topics of importance, and also provided me with an opportunity to truly become part of the community. I came here to take a job, but was given much more in return.

To the residents of Ritzville, Washtucna, Lind, Ralston, Benge and Sprague, thank you for welcoming me into your communities.

Thank you for trusting me to report on your events and activities, letting me interact with our awesome youth, and showing me that working at the newspaper is more than just a job.

To our advertisers and subscribers, thank your for your continuous support of our publication. Without you, we would be unable to produce a weekly newspaper.

Changes will continue to occur within the office, but The Journal benefits from the support and expertise of staff members in the corporate office at Free Press Publishing. Account holders will receive statements and invoices from the corporate office starting in October, and all subscriptions will continue to be handled locally.

I am happy to announce that while I am leaving The Journal, I will not be leaving the area. I am in the process of starting my own business, which will be based out of Ritzville, and look forward to taking new risks and creating new opportunities in the place where I have built my professional career.

To my faithful readers and friends, thank you for your support, encouragement, love, humor and thoughtfulness over the years. To my Tigercats family; thank you for accepting me instantly and truly making me feel welcome at every event. I truly miss being on the those sidelines and (internally) cheering on our kids in blue and white.

October 5 will be my last day in The Journal office, and I will end my role with the company at the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague football game on Friday night where I will be working to introduce Brandon to the community.

So Ritzville Adams County Journal readers, this is goodbye, but as my final statement as editor: Go Broncos!