As managing editor of The Press, I hate losing good reporters.  

We lost one when Hailey Hill, who covered business, Rathdrum, Hayden and Spirit Lake and weekend events, resigned to accept a job with the United Way of North Idaho, whose office is right up Lakeside Avenue. Hailey did a great job in the 18 months she was here and it’s no surprise another organization recognized her talents and hired her away. She will do well and we expect great things of her.

Her departure got me thinking about many former Press employees who have moved on to key posts locally and elsewhere. Their success is a testament to their ambition and commitment and a sign of the quality of people who labored over words and pictures in the newsroom.

Here’s a brief rundown of some of them: 

Tom Greene is interim chief of communications and public relations officer at North Idaho College.  

Gerry McCray is an NIC communications coordinator. 

Brian Walker is an NIC student communications coordinator. 

Maureen Dolan is marketing and communications coordinator/recruitment manager at the NIC Workforce Training Center. 

Marc Stewart is marketing and content manager with the Coeur d'Alene School District. 

Madison Hardy is communications director for Idaho’s U.S. Sen. Jim Risch.

Jerome Pollos is the owner of Jerome Pollos Photography in Coeur d’Alene. 

Ralph Bartholdt is a communications manager with the University of Idaho.

Andrea Nagel is communications, media, and public relations manager with Kootenai Health.

Taryn Post is president of Dexter Peak Communications. 

And before he retired not long ago, Mike McLean, who happens to be my best friend and one fine fisherman, was the deputy editor at the Spokane Journal of Business. 

I’ve had the good fortune to work with and know these fine people. Each brought unique talents to The Press and made the newsroom a fun place to work while producing a great newspaper. They are bright and colorful characters. We miss them.  

I note that these former newsies continue to be involved in communications and photography after leaving The Press. Chasing news sticks with you, landing a big story, catching a special moment with a camera, is exhilarating. Once it’s in your blood, it’s hard to let go, even if you try. Newspapers may not be what they once were, but here at The Press, while many good ones have changed career paths, we have an outstanding staff that is dedicated to providing local news you can't get elsewhere. We take pride in what we do.

I also note a common denominator that most, if not all, worked at one time or another for Mike Patrick, who was the managing editor for The Press for 21 years before he retired in 2022. Mike was one of the most talented editors to sit in this office and no doubt had a strong influence on those who spent time in The Press newsroom. He both guided them in being good journalists and challenged them to become great ones. His impact on The Press remains.

The Press has been home to fine journalists. In my humble opinion, the best was the late Ric Clarke. He was brilliant, possessing a gift with words. 

Let me wrap up with this.

Last week, I talked to the North Idaho Pachyderms for about 45 minutes about The Press. Most of the small crowd, to my delight, subscribed to The Press and appreciated our efforts to report the news fairly. 

But what pleased me even more was that one man said anyone who owns a business in the area, and especially those who are new arrivals, should get The Press so they can keep up with what's going on in their community. It will help them come to know what makes this such a special place to call home.

The people behind The Press, past and present, would agree.

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Bill Buley is managing editor of The Press. He can be reached at [email protected].