Gazette hires reporter, office specialist and sales rep

The Gazette

Colfax - The Whitman County Gazette has a new reporter and office specialist.

Teresa Simpson, 30, of Colfax, started working as a reporter April 25.

Kenzie Ries, 24, of Pullman, took over the business office April 26.

And Elijah Cleary, 21, of Spokane, began his first day in advertising sales May 2.

"It's nice to have energetic, customer service-oriented staffers stepping into key roles at The Gazette," Publisher and Co-Owner Roger Harnack said.

Reporter

Simpson was born in Colfax and raised in Lamont.

She graduated Sprague High School in 2011, and got her bachelors of arts degree in creative writing and philosophy at Knox College, a small college in Galesburg, Ill., in 2015.

Simpson said she is fascinated with history, and what is going on in the world today.

She likes to write about the rich history of her home and explore the community in ways she never got the chance to growing up.

"I'm also looking forward to writing and learning about local government," she said. "I wasn't really political in college, but the last few years have made me take interest in what is happening."

Before working at The Gazette, she spent a lot of time on selling her crafts, and finding jobs writing online.

Before that, she worked at the local Rosauers as a deli clerk.

"I'm excited to get to use my writing degree, and connect with the people of the region I was born in," she said. "I've always wanted to connect with others through my writing."

Simpson did a brief stint writing for her college newspaper, but spent most of her time studying creative, nonfiction writing, poetry and philosophy, she said.

"It's definitely a new experience writing in the field of journalism," she said. "But I love learning new trades."

Office specialist

While Simpson is reporting news, Ries will be overseeing office activities at the newspaper, 418 S. Main St., Suite 2.

Ries takes care of new and current subscriptions, classified advertising, obituaries and other office duties.

Ries is also already managing the webpage and learning Daily Bulletin operations.

This is Ries' first foray into newspapers.

As she was looking for a new position in Whitman County, she said the newspaper stood out.

"In three weeks, Kenzie has show herself to be an outstanding office specialist, and taken on a number of responsibilities," Harnack said. "We're happy to have her aboard, and expect big things from her." Harnack said.

Ries is originally from Spencer, Iowa, a small farm town, but currently lives in Pullman.

When asked about Colfax, she said, "The people are wonderful here in Colfax. They're always so kind and helpful."

When she isn't at work, she spends time with her partner, Austin Scott, and their two girls, a 5 -and 3-year-old.

"We also have a cat, his name is Leo," she said. "He's pretty great, I love him. He's like a little cow."

In her free time, she likes to hike, and take adventures.

"I'm excited to learn more about the area, and explore Whitman County," she said. "We take our doggie, Yodi, on hikes with us."

She also likes to learn. "I'm learning how to knit right now. It's going pretty good," she said, adding she's learning woodworking, as well.

"We're actually making a 14-foot canoe right now," she said. "I can't wait until that's done."

Ries likes the fact that The Gazette is the oldest newspaper in the state.

"Looking through the old books is really neat," she said of the newspaper's bound volumes.

New ad rep

Cleary will be working with businesses in Colfax and greater Whitman County with their advertising and marketing needs.

The new newspaper career is a good fit for Cleary, who says he wants to support the community.

"I love small towns. Colfax people take you at your word," he said. "I am looking forward to serving the county and getting their stories out. I think its really important."

Cleary may be new to the newspaper business, but not to sales.

He began his career in sales by delivering food and groceries. He would later be employed by Home Depot.

"Sales gave me the opportunity to provide a much-needed service to the people," he said.

He worked in car sales in Spokane before meeting Harnack, coincidentally, at a restaurant.

"I met the publisher at Olive Garden while meeting my cousins," Cleary said. "He brought up the position."

"For a young profession, he had an outstanding sales track record," Harnack said, adding Cleary has hit the ground running. "It's good to have a young, motivated professional on staff."

Cleary attended University of Idaho and earned an associates degree in anthropology.

He spends most of his time at the gym. "People are like, 'are you single?', and I tell them I'm married to the gym," he said.

Cleary enjoys the great outdoors and Whitman County history.

"I love the Palouse and I like seeing the ads I bring together in the paper," he said. "It brings the community together and it's real news; I like that The Gazette doesn't push an agenda."