New editor of PCN takes over; promise to build on the past

Aloha Gang, Mark Hebert here. This week I take over as the publisher of the Phillips County News here in town and I couldn’t be more proud. I know I have huge shoes to fill with Curtis and Bonnie Starr de-parting from the position and, to be honest, it would require my feet growing to the size of a Yeti’s overnight to even get close to filling the huge pair of moccasins that they leave behind. I imagine that there will be some bumps and bruises along the way ... the occasional named spelled incorrectly, typo or deadline missed ... but it is my plan to do everything within my power to continue the legacy that the Starr’s leave behind and see to it that next 30 years at the PCN are as fruitful and informative as last 30.

So before I get to know you, dear reader, I thought it proper to let you know a little about myself. I come to Malta via Superior, Mont., where my family and I have lived for the past seven years. My wife, Charity, and 11-year-old daughter, Sophia, are still back west and are trying to sell our house there in Mineral County. They will be joining me here in Malta sooner or later and they are excited about our new adventure.

As far as my professional life, I graduated from the University of Montana in 2006 with a BA in print journalism. I have worked for two different newspaper in my journalism career. The later of the two was the Clark Fork Chronicle which my former boss and I founded in 2004. It was an award-winning fish-wrap, but when the recession hit in the U.S. it smacked our tiny paper hard and we had to close-up shop. The bad news is that since then I have been completely out of journalism.

The good news, however, was that the job I had after the Chronicle -- an inventory company out of Missoula -- brought me to Malta on several occasions. When I was offered the job here a few weeks ago it didn’t take much convincing to know that Malta was a place I would love to live and raise my family. I am thrilled to be here.

So please stop by the office and introduce yourself or if you see me wondering about town say “hi”-- I’ll be easy to recognize because I’ll look lost, be shivering and I’m using an electrical cord for a belt ... I really thought I packed everything. I’ll do everything in my power to remember each of your names, but keep in mind that I’m outnumbered about 2,000 to one. I look forward to serving you and our community. Until we meet in person, Aloha from me.

P.S. If anyone knows of a rental in Malta, a house or apartment, give me a call at 515-0104 or at the PCN office at 654-2020.