‘Leadership’ columnist dies
Murphy – Over the last month, the Cherokee Scout has completely changed the sports staff, while also losing a community columnist.
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In late December, J.R. Carroll, fresh off retiring as an automobile salesman, joined the Scout as a sports correspondent, covering games while also writing feature articles and occasional columns. Over the last 40 years, he has been the public address announcer for Murphy High School during Friday night football games with his well-known call of, “First and 10, Bulldogs!”
Carroll was disc jockey for WCVP-AM 600 in the 1970s and early 1980s. He was also the play-by-play announcer for Murphy football games, with Scout Publisher David Brown joining him as color commentator and spotter in the 1981 season. Later in the 1980s, he wrote for the Scout before starting his sales career.
“This is my dream job, but I just couldn’t pay the bills doing it in my earlier years,” Carroll said. “I thoroughly enjoy writing about our local athletes and their accomplishments. I am seeing some of the grandkids of some of the players I announced when I first started.”
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On Jan. 22, Cannon Crompton joined the Scout as sports editor. It will be his job to work with Carroll to ensure coverage of every important sporting event in Cherokee County.
“I’m thrilled and proud to be working at the Cherokee Scout,” he said. “I look forward to covering sports in Cherokee County and surrounding areas.”
Crompton is a graduate of the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, with a concentration in multimedia journalism. He is a superb photographer and soon will also begin handling page layout. He worked as a sports intern with the Dahlonega (Ga.) Nugget from September through December, impressing the staff at the Community Newspapers Inc. affiliate.
The Scout has been without a sports writer since early fall, when Justin Fitzgerald left to accept a position with a larger newspaper. With the two hirings, the Scout is also increasing the amount of space dedicated to local sports each week.
“I’m thrilled that we have been able to bring two great people aboard to make our sports section as good as it can be, every week,” Brown said. “Cannon brings a lot of skills to the Scout, and J.R. has outstanding knowledge of the area. They’re going to make a great team.”
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Amid the good news, there is also a sad story to share. Michael Donovan, who began writing a monthly column on leadership in mid-2023 for the Scout’s community section, fell ill and, several days later on Jan. 25, died at age 83.
Donovan was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, taught classes on leadership at Young Harris (Ga.) College and was actively involved at Andrews First Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, along with seven children, five stepchildren and six grandchildren.
“Getting to know Michael was a joy,” Brown said. “He was a great guy to talk with, bounce ideas off of and learn from. The world is a lesser place with him no longer here.”