If you know nothing else about me, one of my many mottoes is “Change is Good!”

Sometimes, you deal the cards and, sometimes, they are dealt to you. Beginning this week, we are looking at some interesting cards in our newsroom.

Our new cards aren’t so new, although now each of our daily newspapers has its own community editor and our two weekly newspapers will share a long time Leader favorite card.

Craig Haupert takes the reins of the Niles Daily Star. Haupert has been given high marks by Niles School Supt. Richard Weigel for his education reporting.

As you know it isn’t just schools he’s written about. If it’s interesting or a breakingnews story, chances are you will find Haupert there writing about it.

Like an old penny, John Eby comes back to the Dowagiac Daily News. You can stop sending me your hate mail. You know who you are. Eby has enjoyed his short stint writing about Niles and Edwardsburg, so we will keep him happy and let him continue to report in those areas as well.

Did you know that Scott Novak wasn’t just about sports? He’s now the community editor at the Edwardsburg Argus and Cassopolis Vigilant.

It is a new challenge in which Novak will excel. Since they are both weekly publications, he will continue to be our primary sports reporter. With a little help from Haupert, Eby and Novak’s army of stringers, we will make sure you get your regular local sports fix.

News editor Kim Wynn will be the glue to hold all of this together. Wynn has been behind the cool page design you have seen for a year now. She is also a key editor for the fun and popular Off the Water weekly. Working closely with the community editors, she will glean stories from one community that have a tie or a special interest to another.

Leader Publications can’t do it alone. We need your help. Whenever you are out and about, be sure to take notes or a few pictures.
Get them to your community editor for publication.

Check your newspaper for their contact information or give me a call at (269) 687-7700.