In a time when newspapers across the country are making cutbacks and whittling down staff members, I am proud to say that The Star-Herald made changes and improvements with the help of our readers, staff and most importantly our advertisers.

Here’s a look back at all the new and/or innovative changes made to the 143-year-old media product in 2009:

1. Three new slick, glossy, full color mini-magazines – The advertising and editorial staff took old favorites and gave them a facelift. The Central Mississippi Fair, The Natchez Trace Festival and the Wedding Planner were taken from newsprint and made into magazines. They make a great keepsake that will last a lifetime.

2. Daily Web site updates – Giving you the latest news and sports information on a daily basis via the World Wide Web is the new motto of The Star-Herald. And you, our readers, love it! Over the last month (Nov. 27-Dec. 27), 80,195 pageviews have been received. Set your homepage to www.starherald.net.

3. Twitter and Facebook – Have a facebook account? Become a fan of The Star-Herald. You get instant news updates. If Facebook is not your thing, tweet with me at www.twitter.com/lndees or sports editor Austin Bishop at www.twitter/com/OldSportsDude for sports and news updates and other ramblings.

4. Think pink! – The front page of The Star-Herald was turned a lovely shade of pink in support of breast cancer awareness month. It was the least we could do to raise awareness to a disease that affects so many. So, your eyes weren’t deceiving you – The page really was pink.

5. Spotlighting community groups – A monthly feature of the printed media provides information and activities found at the Mississippi State Veterans Home.

Shining a light on these special people warms the heart. A regular feature is the 4-H page. The activities of the youngsters show the promise of what the future holds for Attala County.

6. Familiar faces in new positions – Long-time advertising manager Cindi Compton took charge of the newspaper as general manager and she truly loves working with all of you in the community. Plus, she does a little bit of everything to make sure the paper is a success.

I was promoted from news editor to managing editor and gained access to this little corner on the editorial page among other things.

Plus, we added Ashley Dees to fill a vacant advertising sales position.

And so there is no confusion – I am Leslie Dees – married to Ethel High School Football coach Paul Dees. Ashley is the daughter of Rusty and Janice Dees.

This column wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the rest of the gang –

– Crazy singing Sports Editor Austin Bishop continues to crank out our area sports. Come visit the office on Tuesday and you can hear the loudest, slightly off-key sounds coming from the back office.

– Long-time Star-Herald fixture and People and Events Editor Nancy Green is keeping your up-to-date on all the social activities and area people. Plus, she knows everybody. She’s my own personal phone book and source guide to Attala County.

– Former coach and Assistant Sports Editor Elton Wright gets to the facts and figures of sports right each week. If you enjoy that “By the Numbers” page, thank him. No one else will do it! As a side note, he makes excellent microwave fudge.

– Alysha Thompson, wife and mother of three, juggles many hats and makes sure that Kosciusko and area businesses get their advertising needs taken care of. She keeps me in stitches everyday at work.

– Daphne Dabbs, who through stacks of papers, keeps your subscriptions up-to-date and your billing questions answered among the other 100 things she does. What she is best at is turning in the payroll!

We are here for you and we are looking forward to serving you in 2010! Here’s hoping for a great new year.



Leslie N. Dees is the managing editor of The Star-Herald. You can email her at editor@starherald.net or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lndees