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COLUMBUS — Big changes are happening in the newsroom of the Colorado County Citizen, the region’s primary source for information and events since 1857, said Area Publisher Tressa Alley.
Trenton Whiting, the former sports editor, is the new managing editor. Meanwhile, Evan Hale takes the reins as sports editor.
“Trenton has been a part of the Citizen family for over two years and we could not have made a better selection for the open position,” Alley said, “He is passionate about journalism and has grown to love living in Small Town Texas.”
The Citizen is owned by Granite Media Partners Inc., a Texas-based news and marketing company with 10 newspapers, five magazines, 13 websites, independent online programming and its own printing press.
“Trenton is absolutely the right choice to be the new managing editor,” said Thomas Edwards, executive editor for Granite. “He has proven his value to the residents of Colorado County thanks to his excellent coverage of area schools and their athletic programs. So many folks seem to know and appreciate Trenton. This is the natural next step in his career.”
Whiting, 25, and a University of Houston graduate, covered sports for two years for the Citizen before his promotion in late September.
He is a Houston native from the city of Pearland.
His background in journalism played a large role in preparing Whiting to fill the position of managing editor which has been vacant at the Citizen since 2022.
“Getting to know this area for two years, I understand the importance of the community and how close a community can be,” Whiting said.
The Citizen will continue its thorough coverage of Colorado County, from the annual fair to area city council meetings, but Whiting plans to expand coverage of the courthouse and trials, as well as feature more reporting on local school boards.
“As much as I’ll miss covering sports, I’m excited for the new challenge of bringing this county the news they need to stay informed,” newly promoted Whiting said, “I’m looking forward to getting to know all of the people that make things happen in this county and being their mouthpiece to the public.”
To send stories or news tips directly to Whiting, email trenton.whiting@coloradocountycitizen. com.
With Whiting’s move to managing editor, Hale takes over the role of covering area athletics for local schools and other sports programs.
“With Trenton and Evan on board, this allows the Citizen to better cover all news and events across the county,” Alley said, “Please be sure to share your upcoming news and events with us so that we can continue to provide a historical record for generations to come.”
Hale, 25, and a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, is no stranger to Texas high school sports. Previously, he served as the sports editor of another Granite newspaper, the Taylor Press in Taylor.
“Evan is a crackerjack sports reporter with a keen eye for great action and capturing the essence of a play, a drive or a team’s hopes,” Edwards said. “He’s going to do a great job at the Citizen.”
Already, Hale has covered some local games and said he can’t wait to do more.
“Sports is my passion in life, and I am always looking for the little details in games that most people may or may not notice,” Hale said, “I am excited to dive headfirst and get to work, the people in the community have already been so welcoming and I have already learned so much about these teams and I am eager to learn more.”
Among plans for Hale’s future coverage are more stories on rodeo and other equestrian sports, as well as helping Alley and Whiting introduce an agriculture page. To send him tips or stories, email [email protected].
Whiting and Hale also plan to add new digital sports programming, including a weekly show titled “Chop It Up With the Citizen.” More details will be forthcoming.
To subscribe to the Citizen, to advertise or to share news tips, call 979-7322304.
