Member News

C.L. Sill

C.L. Sill returns to editor position at The Sun

C.L. Sill has returned to the role of editor of The (Osceola) Sun.

Sill, who joined the newspaper in March 2020, had been serving in a marketing position for the Baldwin Bulletin as part of a pandemic-related shift in duties among Sentinel Publications newspapers. 

While Sill shifted to marketing, Jason Schulte and April Ziemer — editors in Baldwin and Amery, respectively — took over news editing and reporting in Osceola. With Sill’s return to Osceola, Schulte and Ziemer will return to their usual roles as well.

pam humpal

Pam Humpal retires after 36 years at Amery Free Press

Pam Humpal has retired after 36 years as advertising manager of the Amery Free Press. A lifelong Amery resident, she joined the newspaper in March 1985.

During her time with the Free Press, Humpal wrote a weekly column, "Pounding the Pavement with Pam" — a tradition established by previous advertising managers.

press times, green bay, mmc

The Press Times moves to downtown Green Bay office

The Press Times has moved to a new office in downtown Green Bay, the newspaper announced last week.

Previously located just west of Green Bay in Howard, the newspaper will now operate out of the top floor of the BMO Harris Bank building at 310 W. Walnut St. The move puts The Press Times in the heart of the city's historic Broadway District, home to many local shops and restaurants.

steve slack, edgerton reporter

Steve Slack leaves sports writing role at Edgerton Reporter

Steve Slack will no longer cover sports for the Edgerton Reporter, as he plans to pursue his law degree. Slack, who began writing for the newspaper in November 2018, will attend UW-Madison Law School in the fall. His last day was Tuesday.

Jeff Brown and Jack McLaughlin will cover sports for the Reporter following Slack’s departure. They have written for the newspaper since December 2018 and July 2015, respectively.

Wisconsin Media Group to acquire Unified Newspaper Group

Wisconsin Media Group, an affiliate company of O’Rourke Media Group, announced on Thursday plans to acquire Unified Newspaper Group. The transaction will close on June 30, 2021.

Unified Newspaper Group is composed of four weekly newspapers and digital websites that serve the communities of Oregon, Verona, Fitchburg, and Stoughton.

darcy zander-feinauer

Brillion News co-owner Darcy Zander-Feinauer retires

Darcy Zander-Feinauer, who co-owns The Brillion News with her sisters, has retired from her full-time position after more than 34 years at the family company.

Zander-Feinauer, who served in a variety of roles during her tenure, was most recently the newspaper's layout editor. She will be succeeded by her daughter, Bailey Lindgren — the company’s first full-time fifth-generation employee, following in the footsteps of her mother, who was the first full-time fourth-generation employee. The Brillion News has been in the Zander family since 1899, when it was purchased by Otto Zander. 

joel patenaude, janesville gazette, milton courier

Joel Patenaude named managing editor of The Gazette

Joel Patenaude has been named managing editor of The (Janesville) Gazette, replacing the recently departed Ann Fiore.

Patenaude has served as a Wisconsin-based correspondent since February for the online publications NetZero Insider and RTO Insider. He previously was associate editor of Madison Magazine.

Fiore departed last month following a career with The Gazette dating back to August 1995. During her tenure, Fiore served in several roles, including entertainment editor, chief copy editor and managing editor.

patrick wood book, mmc, dear reader

MMC publisher Patrick Wood releases new book of columns

Patrick Wood, Multi Media Channels CEO and publisher of its weekly newspapers and other publications, has released a new book, the company announced this week.

The book, “Dear Reader: Meditations, Musings and Moments in Time,” is a compilation of columns Wood has written for MMC newspapers over the last four years. In the book release announcement, it is described as a “beacon” intended to uplift and enlighten readers.

Bob Heisse

Editor gives $50K to endow journalism scholarship at Penn State

Bob Heisse, executive editor of River Valley Media Group in La Crosse, has donated $50,000 to endow a journalism scholarship for students at his alma mater, Pennsylvania State University. A Pennsylvania native, Heisse earned his bachelor’s degree from the school after receiving a scholarship himself as an undergraduate — something that helped inspire him to give back.

Heisse has led the River Valley Media Group newsrooms since September, when he succeeded Rusty Cunningham, who retired after more than 40 years with Lee Enterprises. Prior to his move to La Crosse, he served as executive editor of the Kenosha News.

Angie Maag

Angie Maag joins The Monroe Times reporting staff

Angie Maag, a southwestern Wisconsin native, has joined The Monroe Times as a reporter.

She earned her degree last month from UW-Madison, where she triple-majored in communication arts, psychology and journalism. While in college, Maag wrote for Bell Magazine, a student publication with a focus on equality and marginalized communities and genders. She also served as a reporter for Sconnie Sports Talk, writing about Wisconsin Badgers men’s hockey, tennis and other sports.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association