West retires, Halpern returns as Courier editor

Cannon Courier owner and publisher Ron Fryar announces the following staff changes:

Mike West, who has served as editor since 2012, has announced his retirement, effective July 14.

Kevin Halpern, who served as editor from 2009 to 2012, has again assumed that role, effective July 15.

"Mike has done an outstanding job during his tenure as editor," Fryar said. "His work has received recognition and awards. Mike has been an associate and friend for decades and we will miss him. He has decided now is the time to step back and focus on other aspects of his life. We wish him all the best."

Halpern has spent the past four years working as a copy editor and page designer for a company which owned about 100 newspapers, primarily in North Carolina and Ohio.

"We are happy to welcome Kevin back to Woodbury and the Courier," Fryar said. "Like Mike, Kevin has years of newspaper experience and we are excited about his return."

The opportunity to guide the editorial coverage of a newspaper again influenced his decision to return to the Courier, Halpern said.

"I've had the opportunity to work on many different newspapers in recent years," Halpern said. "I look forward to putting some of what I learned and observed into place at the Courier."

The main emphasis of the Courier going forward will be on promoting upcoming community events, Halpern said.

"We will focus on informing readers what is going to happen in the community, in addition to reporting on what has happened," Halpern said. "Our goal will be to provide readers with useful information which they can use to plan their local activities."

Emphasis will also be placed on feature stories about the people and places of Cannon County, Halpern said.

Halpern said he hopes to make the Courier fun, entertaining and informative for readers.

"If you have information about an upcoming event you want us to help promote or an idea for a story, please call or email us," Halpern said. "Or please feel free to stop by our office for a visit. We will be happy to help and assist you."