Big changes coming to The Dispatch, but more local news

Some people have already heard by now, but this will be news for others: There are big changes at The Eatonville Dispatch.

My name is Ryan Murray, and I’m the new editor of your local paper.

While Eatonville and south Pierce County are new to me, small-town journalism is not.

After college I cut my teeth in a tiny Montana town, covering hard news, sports, profiles, community briefs, business stories, court proceedings and just about anything else you can do to produce a paper.

From there I went to a slightly larger town in Montana, where I won awards for health, senior and features coverage.

Only then did this native Oregonian come to western Washington, first working in Bellevue, then in Seattle.

I lead with these facts because I have to follow it up with the fact that I will be working between both Seattle and Eatonville managing two papers and staffs. I’ll be increasing our local coverage, updating our website, Facebook page and calling sources and working with local freelancer photographers and writers as well handling items very similarly to how Pat Jenkins handled broader news for the area.

So fret not, because little will change for the Dispatch, with local Swiss army knife Michelle Pate still maintaining all of her duties as graphic design, legal advertising, sales and office manager at the office.

And every Thursday, I’ll be down in Eatonville reporting and editing. You can find me at the office at 133 Mashell Ave. N. like you could our esteemed departing editor Pat Jenkins.

I know I’ll have big shoes to fill and an interesting community to cover. All that I ask from you, my wonderful readers, is to be patient, send me any news tips or suggestions and should I (rarely, hopefully) make a mistake, don’t be shy about correcting me. I’ve got thick skin and I want to be accurate. You deserve the most factual, relevant news I can give you.

So come say hello. Tell me about local athletes you think deserve attention, or new businesses, or something happening in Eatonville (or Graham or Kapowsin or Elbe or Ashford) that impacts you. I’ll be there to listen and to cover it.

Reach me at dispatcheditor@nwlink.com or 360-832-4697.