Courtesy photograph
Newspaper man Don Rogers has run publications in a couple of ski cities. Now he can add Aspen to the listing.
Rogers begins Monday because the editor of The Aspen Instances, which has been with out a everlasting, full-time editor since mid-Might when David Krause resigned.
The previous editor and writer of the Vail Day by day, Rogers mentioned he’s keen to assist flip round The Aspen Instances newsroom, which has been reeling from a mass exodus of workers, reader complaints of tales and opinion items not being printed, an uninformed public on account of a reporter scarcity, a public relations disaster from settling a defamation lawsuit that its possession wouldn’t let the newsroom cowl, and the termination of editor-to-be Andrew Travers, amongst different setbacks. As effectively, the Pitkin County authorities, in response to the firing of Travers, moved its authorized promoting to The Aspen Day by day Information, and by doing so made it the town’s paper of file, stripping the Instances of the excellence.
Rogers involves Aspen from The Union every day newspaper serving Grass Valley and Nevada County, California, the place he started work in Might 2016. Previous to that he was editor and writer of the Vail Day by day from 2009-2016.
“This falls into the class of by no means would have thunk it attainable a bit over a month in the past, however I believe each journalist, gonzo and in any other case, has dreamed sooner or later about working in Aspen,” Rogers mentioned. “That the fates have conspired to make it so is thrilling even figuring out this isn’t the most effective time within the wealthy historical past of The Aspen Instances. However the concept that I’d be capable to assistance is superior in all senses of the phrase.”
Rogers’ expertise contains writer and advert director from 2007-08 on the Report-Courier serving Gardnerville-Minden, Nevada; writer of The Union in Grass Valley, California; Sierra Solar (additionally advert director) in Truckee, California; after which Nevada County Publishing Co., together with South Lake Tahoe Tribune from 2016-21.
Rogers, a firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service from 1977 to 1984, lower his tooth as a reporter and editor working for California newspaper firm Feather Publishing Ltd. from 1985 to 1989.
“My household and I know Aspen solely as frequent guests through the years, my spouse since childhood,” he mentioned. “Most up-to-date for me is taking part in Aspen Phrases. We got here for our children’ cross nation meets and band live shows again after they have been in highschool. We escaped right here, simply the 2 of us, for some memorable weekends.”
The Instances presently has open positions for 2 reporters, an arts and leisure editor who additionally would run the Aspen Instances Weekly, a Snowmass Solar editor who doubles up as a reporter, a sports activities reporter and a digital-engagement editor.
The newsroom presently consists of a sports activities editor who additionally handles images duties, one reporter, one web page designer and a managing editor. With Rogers aboard, it’ll now have 5 full-time workers. The publication additionally has a steady of contributing columnists, writers and a brief Aspen Instances Weekly editor.
Mentioned Rogers: “I’m conscious that dwelling and dealing in a spot just isn’t the identical as visiting, and that the educational curve will probably be very steep, the cliff facet of Half Dome. There’s no higher job for studying a neighborhood than as a journalist, and I’m enthusiastic about that. I’m additionally conscious of the legacy at The Instances, the voice and greater than occasional brilliance there. There’s lots to dwell as much as.”
The Aspen Instances was acquired Jan. 1 by West Virginia-based Ogden Newspapers from Nevada-based Swift Communications. The paper was based in 1881.
