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Even though we’re already about to turn the corner into March, after dealing with COVID-19 challenges and changes across our region, it still feels like we’re just starting the new year in many ways. That’s also true at your local newspaper, which has turned over our entire news staff in the last year.
Despite the ongoing pandemic, there were still a lot of positives to report in 2020-21, as the Cherokee Scout was fortunate to win another Best of CNI award, the highest honor given out in our company. But since I’m not one to spend too much time looking backward, let’s look forward and see what the rest of year has to offer. That starts with the folks reporting the news.
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A native of nearby Towns County, Ga., Jared Putnam joined the Scout as editor in November, bringing with him considerable journalism experience and a number of Georgia Press Association honors. He previously worked as a staff writer with the Clay County Progress, with previous stops as sports editor of The Times of Gainesville, Ga., and the Forsyth County (Ga.) News, along with a stint as a writer and editor with the Union Sentinel in Blairsville, Ga.
Jared’s background includes working with nonprofit agencies like Project Chimps and Hinton Rural Life Center, while his education and experience in digital media helped the Scout take over streaming local government meetings. His focus will be on the most important stories each week, while helping ensure the entire community receives appropriate coverage. You can reach him at 837-5122, Ext. 24, or editor@cherokeescout.com.
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u Justin Fitzgerald has already become a constant presence at local games since coming to the Scout as sports writer in April. Covering six area high schools that offer sports programs is nearly impossible for any one person, but Justin is constantly making the rounds while focusing on the biggest stories.
He came to the Scout from the Baltimore suburbs after graduating from the University of Maryland. Fitzgerald also worked as a freelance reporter for publications in the Baltimore/Washington area – covering high school sports, college sports and minor league baseball – as well as editor of SB Nation’s University of Maryland website.
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Just a year ago, Abigail Hickman moved to Murphy from Asheville, came to visit the Scout, starting working as a staff correspondent and never looked back. She is responsible for creating the newspaper’s first podcast, From the Front Porch, which is getting primed for a relaunch this year.
Abigail, who is known for her colorful wigs and wardrobe, has worked in teaching, writing and business development over the last decade. She has a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University, a master’s degree from Western Carolina University and published her first book, Savvy Girl’s Guide to Heartbreak Survival, earlier this year. Email her at abigailhickman44@gmail.com.
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Anngee Quinones-Belian once asked if the Scout would be interested in an occasional humor column. Two years later, and her every-other-week “Time for a Laugh” has become a must-read in the local newspaper.
That means the answer was “yes,” one of the easiest decisions I’ve had to make in some time, and she has since gone on to write feature and lifestyle articles. You can read more about Anngee in a personal profile on page 3A in this week’s edition.
In addition to those fine folks, Sam Jokich has been taking photographs of local news and sports since he relocated to Cherokee County. And just this week Kevin Puskar of Murphy, a former Scout columnist and author of the book A Path Runs Through It, agreed to join us as a staff correspondent.
Having all of these people as part of our team gives the Scout more opportunities to cover the events and report on the stories that are most important to you so you can make good decisions. And you can always contact me in any of the ways listed below; our door is always open, we don’t screen calls and we want to hear from you.
As we venture hopefully into the post-COVID world, your local newspaper’s goal remains the same – to help make Cherokee County an even better place to live and work. Two ways we will do that is by presenting reliable information that helps make sense of it all, while encouraging a spirit of unity among all residents.
Together, the best is yet to come.
David Brown is publisher of the Cherokee Scout. You can reach him by phone, 837-5122; email, dbrown@cherokeescout.com; or on Twitter @daviddBstroh.