Julie Maurer Celebrates 5 Years

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE

5 YEARS

Julie Maurer

Name: Julie Maurer

Newspaper: Surprise and Sun City West Independent

Position: News Editor

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: Five

Job description: News editor for the communities of Surprise and Sun City West. I write front page stories for each paper, along with Page 2 stories and community news briefs. I take Page 1 and Page 2 photos, and edit the opinions pages for both products. I also contribute editorial content for special sections and our monthly Arrowhead newspaper.

What I like best (about my job): I love finding out what is important to our readers and trying to cover those issues. I am also encouraged when we inspire residents to get involved in their local government. I went to a recent association meeting in Sun City West. After the meeting, I went up to talk to one of the board members to clarify his quote. When I was done, I turned around and there was a line of people waiting to talk to me to give me updates on issues!

Most memorable moment with INI: Two moments stick out the most to me. First, when i won the Sunshine Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for defending the public’s rights to open records. This was rewarding to me because I had been working on a story for a long time about a school board member who refused to release public records. It was such an uphill battle, and it was great that the organization recognized the fight. Second, I moderated a candidates’ debate during a heavily contested school board race. Unlike other forums for that race, the Independent’s debate was packed and aired on the local television station. It was amazing to see so many voters interested in their community and submit hard-hitting questions for the candidates.

Hobbies/Interests: I am a huge fan of musical theater, and can often be heard singing showtunes as I drive around the Northwest Valley. My husband and I are actively involved in our church, where he is a worship leader. I am also an avid reader, and my husband just bought me a Kindle e-reader in hopes to save some money on books!

Fun fact (about myself): I started at this company with a different name – Julie Conolly. I met, dated and married my husband all while working for INI.

Final Day to Submit Excellence Award Nomination

Nominations for Independent's annual Excellence Awards must be submitted by tomorrow evening. Nominations may be made by any employee. The nomination form and more details are available at  http://www.newszap.com/excellenceawards/nominationform.html

In 2010, the Delaware Graphics Team Welcomed Two New Graphic Artists:

Lee Hoover was born and raised in an Indiana small town. One of her first jobs was a newspaper route that she delivered on her bicycle. She has been employed in the local newspaper industry for most of the last 25 years (although she’s sure she’s not old enough to be saying that) along with a stint as a graphic designer for a sheet fed printing business. After starting in the mailroom, she worked her way into positions in composition (early graphic design when it was still cut and paste), ad and feature page design, and the copy desk, most of these at the Delaware State News. She returned to Delaware State News in the Graphics Team in June. She is expanding her repertoire through courses in Visual Communications at the local DelTech campus. Among her interests are gardening, music, photography, writing, sea glass, and the great outdoors.

Lee Hoover

Wendy Blough grew up in Greensboro, Maryland.  She is the mother of two boys, Logan age 13 and Colby age 6. She started in graphic design right out of high school while she was attending college at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, Maryland. She loved it and has been hooked ever since. Wendy enjoys creating custom videos for friends and family using their favorite photos and music, in addition to creating web pages.  She joined the Delaware State News as a temporary Graphic Artist in February and then became a permanent member of the team in October.  When Wendy’s not busy chasing her boys or creating on her computer, she enjoys watching movies, horseback riding and scrap booking. 



Wendy Blough

Follow Delaware State News on Facebook

In just two weeks, the Delaware State News has attracted more than 260 followers – including Delaware’s governor – to its new Facebook page.

The website is www.facebook.com/DelawareStateNews

The newspaper also has a Twitter account – with each of its Facebook posts going directly to www.twitter.com/StateNews

The Facebook account has been kept up-to-date by reporters, editors and photographer Dave Chambers.

As shown in the photo, Gov. Jack Markell gave a “like” to a post on his “State of the State” address, with a Chambers photo.

Followers keep growing as word spreads through the social media grapevine.

Another boost in numbers is anticipated when house ads start appearing in the State Capital Daily.