Hear yea, hear yea...

I met Hayley Cooper a year ago and became more than co-workers; we were immediate friends.

The life of a person working in a small-town newspaper is hard to explain if you have never done it. Your phone rings around the clock; something is happening constantly, and you are expected to be there. Writing in the Associated Press style causes some people to cringe and complain about small details, usually in days of chaos. It is hard juggling everything all at once.

But Hayley handles it all and is like a trooper!

I watched her grow every day. We were a team, and I believed in her abilities and decisions.

I have worked alone many times, doing my best for my community, but honestly, I am tired. My brain is a bit mushy after over 20 years and only a handful of vacations. Things seemed to run together, and I was starting to forget things or lose track of my schedule. Hayley was my savior; she made my life so much less hectic.

When she recently took some much-needed vacation time, I had forgotten what it used to be like to be on my own. I mean, I did it, no problem, but I truly missed her work ethic.

Since last year, I have told everyone that Hayley deserved so much more to be a Co-Editor.

As of June 1, 2024, Hayley Cooper is a Times Co-Editor. Happy Anniversary, Hayley!

I am proud of her and look forward to her new role at the paper.

When it comes time for me to leave, please know that this girl has the skill set to continue in the future.