HELLO Blaine Co.

As the new editor of the Watonga Republican and the Geary Star, I look forward to meeting you all and getting to know you over the coming weeks and months. But I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you all a little about myself:

I was born and raised in Arlington, Texas, where I spent my summers watching Rangers baseball and riding Six Flags roller coasters. Then I crossed the river for college at the University of Oklahoma, where I got my first journalism experience as a sportswriter for the OU Daily.

After college I interned briefly for the Oklahoma news site NonDoc.com before landing my first full-time gig in central Texas at the Brownwood Bulletin. Most recently, I lived for three years in Salt Lake City where I was a copy editor for the Deseret News and a reporter for KSL.com.

While I loved the natural beauty of Utah, I couldn’t be more thrilled to be back in Oklahoma for my next adventure. Between the friendly people, warmer weather and delicious food, I have a feeling I’m going to feel right at home here.

I want to thank Brett Wesner and Kimberly Jenkins for giving me this opportunity. I’m walking into a great situation because of the consistent management and steadfast leadership these papers have enjoyed.

This newspaper has a long and storied history that goes all the way back to Thompson B. Ferguson in 1892, and it continues to produce awardwinning work. I’m humbled and grateful to be part of this legacy, and for every subscriber who helps our newspaper survive, and even thrive, in the 21st century.

I have a lot to learn about your community, but I’m ready to hit the ground running. I want to invite all Blaine County residents to reach out to me, in person or via email at editor@watongarepublican.com, to let me know what stories and issues are important to you.

Thank you for your support, and I’ll see you around town!