Leader Publications recently welcomed a new full-time reporter to its news team.

Sarah Culton, 21, will primarily contribute to Leader’s two weekly newspapers, the Cassopolis Vigilant and Edwardsburg Argus.

Originally a Columbus Township, Michigan, native, Culton relocated to the west side of the state to attend Western Michigan University. In May, she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism with minors in gender and women studies and English literature.

During her senior year in college, Culton served as news editor for the Western Herald, Western Michigan University’s student newspaper.

Culton now resides in Niles. She said she is excited to become more acquainted with southwest Michigan.

“I am looking forward to getting to know all of the people here and learning how, even in small towns where outsiders think nothing is happening, there is still a lot going on there, a lot of heart there,” she said.

Culton has a passion for investigative journalism, especially stories for which she can sort through data and numbers.

“I like when I can dig into something a little bit more and put some time and research into things,” she said. “I’m a very curious person — very nosy.”

Culton can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7712, or by email at sarah.culton@leaderpub.com.