Heading West – Kellerton native joins newspaper staff
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By KEN GARNER
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Mount Ayr Record News and Diagonal Progress newspapers didn’t look very far on the compass dial to fill a vacancy for a community journalist serving both Ringgold County newspapers.
Kellerton native Olivia West was hired last week to fill the reporter void for the Mount Ayr Record News and the Diagonal Progress to cover hyper-local issues in the county.
West is a 2021 graduate of Mount Ayr Community schools, who has earned a pair of associates degrees from Southwestern Community College.
West said that she wants to bring a youthful enthusiasm and viewpoint to her reporting to reach a different generation of readers, while still connecting with the current readership of the newspaper.
“Hopefully, I can bring a different perspective of a younger generation to get younger people reading the newspaper,” she said. “I really want to be able to reach all readers.”
That enthusiasm stems from her upbringing.
“I have really fond memories of reading the newspaper with my grandpa when I was little,” West said.
According to Publisher Ken Garner, who also owns both county newspapers, West has all the characteristics and drive to fit the position of a community journalist covering Ringgold County.
“Olivia’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious and extremely heartfelt,” he said. “I think the communities across Ringgold County will quickly see how invested she is telling the stories of the people, places and faces that matter the most. She will be highly instrumental in helping move the newspapers into the future. I look forward to her being a part of the Record News and Diagonal Progress family.”
Despite her youth, West said she is an old soul.
“I enjoy grandma hobbies,” she said. “I like embroidering, painting and sewing. I spend a lot of time with my friends and family — a lot of time with my family. I am really close with my mom, and my dad, and my grandma, and my sister.
West began working at the newspaper on May 28.
