People and Papers

AG says papers not subject to open records

An opinion issued by the Kentucky attorney general states that newspapers are private companies and thus not subject to releasing records under the state's Open Records Act.

Marvin Phipps, an inmate at the Little Sandy Correctional Complex, had requested copies of newspaper articles from the Interior Journal in Stanford, Mount Vernon Signal and Commonwealth Journal of Somerset. The articles were those published between June 20, 2003, and Aug. 16, 2004, about criminal charges on Marvin Wayne Phipps.

Phipps reportedly filed the open records request and then appealed to the attorney general that the three newspapers "have failed to respond to his open records requests."

The newspapers replied to the AG that they were private companies and therefore not subject to the Open Records Act.

The AG agreed and said the newspapers do not fall within the definition of a "public agency" to which the Open Records Act applies. The opinion further states that since newspapers are not subject to the act, they are not required to release their records for inspection or to adhere to an open records request; and thus, did not violate the Open Records Act.

The decision was issued Feb. 20.

Gleaner honored for tennis coverage

The Gleaner was selected as the recipient of USTA Kentucky’s Media Award for 2006 for its coverage of tennis this past year.

The award was presented during the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame's induction ceremonies at the Hilton Garden Inn in Louisville.

Henderson Tennis Club members Melanie Humbert and Kim Angermeier nominated the Gleaner for the award.

The Gleaner covers all aspects of tennis from elementary leagues to the U.S. Open.

In addition to the regular coverage of high school and local tournaments, the nomination made special mention of the newspaper's coverage of the USTA Senior League Kentucky State Championship, which Henderson hosted in June.

News-Express to expand publishing schedule

The Appalachian News- Express recently announced that it will expand to five days a week and will shift exclusively to home delivery through the U.S. Postal Service.

In announcing the changes, News-Express Publisher Marty Backus said although the paper will continue retail and rack sales, delivery will done through the mail to "ensure everyone gets their paper on time."

The weekend edition will contain more community news, sports and information, along with comics, coupons and additional features.

Papers to adopt new Berliner style for tabs

The Community Press and Recorder newspapers will become some of the first newspapers in the country to be printed in “Berliner” style, a format that has become very popular in Europe.

The company, which operates 27 individually edited community newspapers including the Campbell County Recorder and the Kenton County Recorder, recently announced it would begin printing at a new plant in Indiana and soon unveil the change.

The Berliner format is 12 inches wide and 18 inches in length and has sections like a traditional broadsheet newspaper. The new format can also feature color on every page.

Susan McHugh, general manager/editor of The Community Press and Recorder Newspapers, said the new format is much more reader friendly and easier to manage than a traditional tab.

David Dixon takes over for retiring Jenkins

Following in the footsteps of recently retired editor Ron Jenkins, David Dixon says he was ready to take control of The Gleaner in Henderson as its new editor.

Jenkins, who will be inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame in the near future, worked at The Gleaner for 50 years -- with 33 years at the editor’s desk.

In a column announcing the change, Dixon, the paper’s longtime managing editor, said he had some “big shoes to fill.”

Dixon praised his predecessor’s work, calling Jenkins “the best newsman to ever walk across the county line.”

The changing of the guard should be a smooth one, Dixon said, because Jenkins has staffed the paper with “as fine a group of community journalists as in any newsroom in the country.”

Four join New Era staff

Three reporters and a copy editor have been added to the Kentucky New Era's news staff. The reporters include Nikki Bannister, covering city and county government; Alex Byington, sports; Chris Harris, covering Todd and Trigg counties as well as health coverage; and Emily Stahl, copy editor and page designer.

Bannister has been a contributing college sports writer for the Advocate in Baton Rouge and the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Byington is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia where he covered Bulldog baseball and football. Harris graduated in May from the University of Memphis where she was news editor of the student newspaper and recipient of a Regents scholarship and won the Memphis Newspaper Guild's Daniel Pearl scholarship. Harris was a freelance writer and intern for the Memphis Business Journal before joining the Hopkinsville daily's staff.

Sarah Heany joins McLean County News

Sarah Heany has joined the staff of the McLean County News.

She will replace Jonna Spelbring Preister, who accepted a position at the Henry County Local.

Heany is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and served as an editor at the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer before accepting the managing editor job in McLean County.

Jackson Times welcomes Hays as new G.M.

Kimberly Hays has been named general manager of The Jackson Times.

Hay, who recently served as advertising director for the Winchester Sun, will take over the reigns from editor Edmund Shelby who will now be focusing entirely on the paper's editorial content.

In addition to her experiences at The Sun, Hays is also the former national sales director for Crystal Communications in Lexington.

Shelby was recently elected as vice president of the Kentucky Press Association.

Paducah Sun has new general manager

The Paducah Sun announced recently that Gary Adkisson has been named the new general manager of the paper.

Adkisson, a former regional manager for Brown Newspapers’ Delaware, Ohio, operations, has more than 24 years of experience including a three-year stint as circulation manager for the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Adkisson replaces Rachel Raney who accepted a position as publisher of the Shelbyville Times in Indiana.

Manning named Brunswick editor

Stacey Manning, former news editor for the Kentucky Standard in Bardstown, has been named editor of the 15,728 circulation weekly Brunswick Beacon in Shallotte, N.C. Both publications are owned by Landmark Community Newspapers, based in Shelbyville. She has also been a roving reporter for the Oldham Era, Lebanon Enterprise and Henry County Local.

Thomas, Vaughn join Herald News

Mary Vaughn, who's worked for newspapers in Montana, Florida, North Carolina and Michigan, has joined the LaRue County Herald News staff as graphic designer/paginator. She worked briefly with the News-Enterprise in Elizabethtown before switching to the Herald News. Both newspapers are owned by Landmark Community Newspapers.

Cindy Thomas has joined the Herald News as a part-time writer, covering school board meetings, local news events and writing special interest stories for the Hodgenville weekly.

Ashby promoted at Madisonville

Cindi Ashby, who has worked in the classifieds department as well as a retail paginator for the Madisonville Messenger, has been named circulation director of the newspaper.

Publisher Tony Maddox made the announcement.

Ashby says she will push for teamwork that will foster customer support.

Johnson to head Interactive division

Mike Johnson, who has also served as sports editor, assistant managing editor and interim circulation director, has been named the Lexington Herald-Leader's first director of the interactive division. Johnson, most recently the newspaper's deputy managing editor, has been with the Herald-Leader for 37 years. His responsibilities as the division director will be to increase viewership and revenue of the newspaper's web site, www.kentucky.com and will be a member of the newspaper's executive committee.

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