Staff Report

Staff changes at the Yadkin Ripple next week will send reporter Thomas Smith to sister paper The Mounty Airy News and return Andy Matthews to his role as editor here.

Smith joined the staff of The Tribune in Elkin in August, beginning his connection to Yadkin County as a reporter in Jonesville, Hamptonville and Boonville.

He advanced to the position of Yadkin County reporter in December and began making use of his personal skills and writing abilities to report on major events in Yadkin County.

"What caught my attention about Thomas in the beginning was his concern for people and ability to talk to anyone," Managing Editor Lonnie Adamson said Tuesday. "He genuinely is concerned about the subjects and people he reports on. We will miss him at the Tribune and the Ripple but know that he will serve our sister paper, The Mount Airy News well."

Matthews brings two decades of writing and reporting experience to the Ripple when he returns as editor on Monday.

He has served almost half that time as a reporter and editor for the Tribune and Ripple. He was the first editor of the Ripple following purchase by MidSouth Communications in 2001. He is credited with helping transform the publication into a modern community newspaper, providing readers with in depth news coverage, insightful analysis and thought-provoking editorials.

"We are happy to have Andy's experience, talent and knowledge of the community back," Adamson said.

Matthews returns to the Ripple after serving as editor of the Mount Airy News following a time of re-organization there.

Matthews said he is happy to return to his roots.

"As a life long resident of the area I have always had a passion and a strong interest in the community," he said. "I can think of no better way than to pursue that by providing the public with an informative newspaper and to have a positive impact on the county."