AZ publisher to lead Peoria Chamber

Arizona West Valley Publisher Charlene Patti Bisson was officially sworn in as president of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce during the chamber's annual awards banquet held June 28. Charlene has a long history of working with both the Peoria and Surprise chambers of commerce. She will lead the Peoria Chamber Board of Directors during the 2017-18 year. As publisher of the West Valley division, Charlene oversees the Daily News-Sun, as well as five weekly publications and a monthly magazine.

INI says farewell to Diane Runion!

Diane Runion, the circulation manager for the Arizona North Valley office, recently retired after 22 years with the company. Diane, who is moving to Oregon to live with her daughter, has over the years worked in all three of Arizona's newspaper offices and with every one of its publications. Her fellow employees celebrated her career with a special farewell party recently. Helping her cut the cake are Josh Martinez, Bret McKeand and Sandi Perry.

This Bud's For ........

This bud's for Diane Runion. This is Diane's last week as circulation manager for Arizona and we sure will miss her. I met Diane years ago when I first joined INI as news editor for the Town of Paradise Valley Independent and have enjoyed working her ever since. It was a real joy to see her again after I had rejoined the INI family to cover Apache Junction and Queen Creek. Diane visited our office almost every week and it was a real pleasure to have her here. Always professional, always pleasant -- she was part of our family. Please keep in touch, Diane. We wish you all the best in your new adventure! -- Wendy Miller

Local Staffer Wins Four Awards

News Services Assistant Arianna Grainey, who works for the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek Independent newspapers, brought home four awards from the Arizona Press Club: first in photo story, first in sports-action photo, second in feature photo and honorable mention in sports-feature photo, according to http://azpressclub.org/2017/05/30/winners-2016-arizona-press-club-photo-awards/#more-1939. 

The photos she won for have not yet been released.

Arianna was named Arizona Newspapers Association Photographer of the Year earlier this year.