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New managing editor, two reporters join The News staff

News Photo by Pam Brunn From left, Darby Hinkley, Justin Hinkley and Kaitlin Ryan pose in The News newsroom on Monday.

Justin Hinkley, formerly of the Lansing State Journal, has joined the editorial staff of The Alpena News as the newspaper’s managing editor, replacing Steve Murch.

The change in personnel was announced by Alpena News Publisher William Speer.

“While I am saddened with the departure of Steve and his years of outstanding experience and dedication to the community, I am thrilled to have someone of Justin’s caliber joining our team and leading our reporting staff into the future,” Speer said.

Hinkley has been in journalism since 2006. He first worked for the Battle Creek Enquirer, his hometown paper, then joined the staff at the Lansing State Journal in 2014.

While in Lansing, he covered state government and led several investigative projects. Most recently, he helped cover the Larry Nassar/Michigan State University/USA Gymnastics sexual misconduct case and ensuing scandal.

“I am really excited to take on this role,” Hinkley said. “This is a great community and a great newspaper and I’m looking forward to continuing the great journalism that already happens here and hopefully bringing in some new ideas.”

Over the years, The Alpena News has not seen much change of leadership at this critical position, Speer said.

The managing editor helps direct the editorial staff to ensure the news of the community is getting reported.

“Justin is going to be great for our newspaper and great for the community,” Speer said. “He comes from a strong background in journalistic excellence, and as a team leader for the State Journal, I know we will see strong leadership skills out of him here.”

Speer said experience is going to be important, as Hinkley has big shoes to fill with Murch’s departure.

“Steve was rock solid — he lived and breathed newspapering. He always had a new idea, and rarely missed a day of work. I would come into the office and Steve would have links to two or three stories and/or ideas waiting for me each day,” Speer said. “He was always learning, always expanding his knowledge of the world around him.”

Joining Hinkley on the staff at The Alpena News is his wife, Darby Hinkley, who later this year will officially assume the title of Lifestyles editor after the retirement of current Lifestyles Editor Diane Speer.

Until that time, Darby is learning the Lifestyles position and filling in as a reporter and photographer on numerous beats within the department.

Darby Hinkley was born and raised in Alpena and has seven years’ journalism experience.

Also joining the staff this week is Kaitlin Ryan, a former freelance reporter and social media writer.

Like Darby, she will be covering a number of general assignments until settling into a regular beat in the next several weeks.

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