ShoutOuts to Charles Myrick, Kelly McKinney, Amanda Richards, Martha Thomas


Charles Myrick

Myrick promoted to managing editor of the Mountain Advocate

A ShoutOut to Charles Myrick who has been promoted to managing editor of the Mountain Advocate in Barbourville. Charles has been digital products manager of The Nolan Group, publisher of the Mountain Advocate, with 15-plus years in the industry.

Charles is a native of Barbourville and after working in the Information Technology industry, returned to his hometown in 2003. Later that year, he accepted a position as graphic designer for The Mountain Advocate, and has since worked in capacities ranging from subscriptions to advertising manager, webmaster, and editor before moving into a corporate position overseeing the digital platform for all of Nolan Group Media’s eight newspapers. Now, as managing editor of his hometown newspaper, he’ll be overseeing the staff and production of the newspaper that has served Knox County for 115 years. “We’re going to make year 115 a banner year for the Advocate!”

Charles is actively involved in the media ministry of New Heights Church in Middlesboro and a proud cat daddy to his 4-year-old cat Sheldon. He is a 1997 graduate of Southwestern Pulaski County High School and attended Western Kentucky University, where he focused on a major in Print Journalism. His hobbies include music, graphic and web design, movies and photography.

Kelly McKinney

McKinney named editor of Springfield Sun

And a ShoutOut to Kelly McKinney who was named editor of The Springfield (Ky.) Sun on July 1. Her background gives McKinney a perspective some might not have when it comes to telling the stories of her community.

“I once heard someone say that those who make the most noise get the most attention, which might be an obvious statement but one that really drives home the impact of the difference in results for those who feel able to speak and those who don’t,” McKinney said.

“Along with all the other aspects of our job, it’s up to us as journalists to find those who aren’t making the noise, whether it’s because they feel helpless or because their focus is and must be on just getting by, or a combination of the two, or other reasons, and tell their stories.”

McKinney grew up in poverty and became a single mother at 15 and had her second child at 16. She worked numerous low-paying jobs while juggling care of her two children until being admitted to Eastern Kentucky University at 25, joining the honors program and graduating summa cum laude.

McKinney has worked for several community newspapers since graduating in 2007, including the Richmond Register, the Jessamine Journal and the Cynthiana Democrat.

Amanda Richards

Amanda Richards named ad manager at the Casey County News

Also a ShoutOut to Amanda Richards who has been promoted to advertising manager of the Casey County News, effective July 20.

She moved from sales representative to the vacant advertising manager spot after over 20 hours of training in three months. The promotion is a continuation of her upward trajectory at the newspaper.

Richards began selling advertising part-time at the Liberty newspaper in January 2018 after being hired in March 2017 as a receptionist. Immediately, she found success in sales. Her work contributed considerable revenue through new ideas and projects and was an integral part of a profitable 2018 for the Casey County News.

 

Martha Thomas has done a little bit of everything and has witnessed major changes in the newspaper industry. Now after 46 years at the Daily Times, she’s retired.

A ShoutOut to Martha Thomas with the Glasgow Daily Times. She’s witnessed a lot of changes in the newspaper industry since she started at age 19.

Now 46 years later, Martha has retired, She’s worked in the composing department designing ads and putting the paper together each day, she was responsible for the Barren County Fair Book inserted in the newspaper and more recently has been the news clerk, typing announcements, obituaries, birth/engagement/wedding announcements as well as livestock reports, property transfers and marriages licenses.

Martha says she will miss most the people and what’s going on in the community before the newspaper is printed.

“Now I’ll have to actually wait until I see the paper or read it online.”

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