To all the readers of the News & Press
This letter is a goodbye, and a hello. Friday December 30th was my last official day as the editor at this newspaper, and I am now heading into a new direction professionally. Thank you to all of the wonderful people of Darlington County for the opportunity to tell your stories the past three and a half years. I loved every moment – the happy and the challenging ones; they all helped me grow as a writer, and as a person.
My decision to leave the newspaper began when I was offered a great job by a dear person, but for some reason my intuition kept telling me – “this is not the path for you” – and I listened. Once I made the decision to hand the job back so that the best person could be found to take it, my heart immediately felt at peace.
Now, I am embarking on some exciting new professional opportunities. One of my new roles will be part time sales for the News & Press. I am happy to still be part of the newspaper family, because I’m so proud of how this paper has grown with the new website and continued strong coverage of Darlington County; we are the only media source that covers the municipal meetings of Darlington, Hartsville, Lamar and Society Hill in addition to school board and county council. Helping the paper grow will definitely be source of joy! I may even share an occasional “Jana Banana” column or feature story now and then.
My other endeavor will be a social media and website management business assisting small businesses and non-profits organizations; freelance photography and writing; painting; and teaching creativity classes for adults and children. Each of those endeavors in the new year add to the theme of “joy” and will allow me the freedom of a non-traditional work week, out of the office and in the community more.
I’m excited to see the direction the new editor Melissa Rollins will take this newspaper; she’s a really great young lady and a wonderful writer. She has covered the Darlington City Council for four years as a writer for the Florence Morning News, and I have admired her wonderful stories for years. When I asked if she was interested in the position, she said she’d just told her husband she was ready for a change. Synchronicity is an amazing thing!
So I bid farewell to readers as your editor, and say hello as your old friend, Jana.
Peace, love, & wishes for a very Happy New Year to you all!
The beginning of a new year is often seen as a time for getting back on the wagon when it comes to your exercise routine, eating habits or financial budget. For me, it is the start of a new job: effective January 1, I am the editor of the News and Press.
I am a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Convergence Journalism, meaning that I am familiar with the print newspaper as well as online content.
In the four years that I worked at the paper in Florence I covered almost every beat that there was, with the exception of sports and crime. During that time I also covered Darlington City Council, which is where I met and became friends with Jana.
Though my experience is not what some would consider extensive I am passionate about the newspaper industry and hope to bring that passion to Darlington.
My husband has been a huge supporter in this transition, though I wouldn’t expect anything less from the guy who has helped me follow my dream to become a reporter.
As longtime readers know, a new editor brings at least a small amount of change to the paper. There are many great things happening at the News and Press so any changes I make will be gradual and to make the paper better, not simply because I can make changes.
I love to tell stories about local people doing great things so feel free to share your story with me. Though you have gotten used to Jana’s writing, hopefully you will enjoy having a new voice telling those stories now. Samantha Lyles will still be here as the staff writer, so you can still look forward to her great reporting as well.
