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STAR makes changes in newsroom, adds staff

By Staff Reports

The staff of the Elizabethton STAR is undergoing several changes that will aid the 86-year-old community newspaper as it continues to serve the residents of Northeast Tennessee, particularly the residents of Carter and Johnson counties.

Longtime newspaperman Mark A. Stevens, who was named the STAR’s publisher Aug. 27, called the changes “exciting and focused.”

“Hopefully over the past few weeks, readers have noticed some changes we’ve quietly implemented,” Stevens said. “We’ve enhanced our Wednesday, Thursday and Friday editions by producing a full-color section for Sports and Classifieds.

“And our news department has turned its focus from procedural coverage to human-interest, enterprise and in-depth stories with a renewed and strong focus on the people of Carter and Johnson counties.”

To successfully implement the changes, several staff changes and additions are being announced today.

Brian Reese is the STAR’s new editor-in-chief. He will oversee the daily operations of the newsroom, as well as the composing and graphic-design department.