Chris Mertes, who has served the Sun Prairie area as a reporter and editor for 33 years, has retired from his position as managing editor of the Sun Prairie Star, he announced in a farewell column. His last day was Thursday, June 8.
After earning his journalism degree in 1987 from UW-Eau Claire and spending a year as a reporter for The Clark County Press in Neilsville, Wisconsin, Mertes began his tenure with the Star on Sept. 5, 1989.
Under his leadership, the Star received 14 awards from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest — including awards recognizing Mertes’ reporting on local education and government.
During his time in Sun Prairie, Mertes was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship — the highest award given by Lions International for service to the community. He also served for many years as a board member of the Sun Prairie Education Foundation.
In addition to his work with the Star, Mertes volunteered at the Sun Prairie Media Center, a local community radio station where he served as co-host for Talk of the Town and Inside Your City.
Following the announcement, Sun Prairie Mayor Paul Esser presented Mertes with a proclamation thanking him for his many years of service to the community.
