As many people know, Jane Howard wears many hats in the community. Her latest one is as associate editor of the Cook County News-Herald.
Observant readers of the Cook County News-Herald may have noticed a change to the newspaper’s masthead this week. Jane Howard, longtime writer for the News- Herald, has been named associate editor.
Howard has worked at the News-Herald since 2007, reporting on everything from governmental meetings to special features. In 2010, Howard was honored by the Minnesota Newspaper Association, receiving a first place award in the Social Issues category with her February 28, 2009 article Dyslexia: disability or different ability?
Howard took a circuitous route to the newspaper business. She is a licensed psychologist who attended Wheaton College from 1979 to 1981 and earned a bachelor of arts in English from UMD in 1985 and a master of science in education degree from UWS in 1987.
She went on to work a variety of jobs with human services organizations such as Wheaton Youth Outreach, Wheaton, IL; Blue Earth County Human Services, Mankato, MN; and Storefront Youth Action in Richfield, MN before returning home to Cook County in 2000, like many of her classmates from Cook County High School Class of 1979.
After returning to Cook County, Howard opened a private practice in Grand Marais and worked as parent educator for the Early Childhood & Family Education program and as a social work supervisor at Cook County Public Health & Human Services.
In 2007, she filled in as a reporter at the Cook County Star as a favor to publishers Hal and Deidre Kettunen. “We are really grateful to Jane for coming on board when we needed her,” said Hal Kettunen.
Howard remained at the Cook County Star and helped with the transition when the Kettunens purchased the Cook County News-Herald and rolled the two papers into one community newspaper in November 2008.
“Jane has continued to do a great job for us,” said Deidre Kettunen, “and the community has really enjoyed her work. We hear a lot of good things about her.”
Editor Rhonda Silence wholeheartedly agreed and added, “It is wonderful to see Jane being recognized for all the work she does for us. I think she has found her niche here at the News-Herald. She does an amazing job as a reporter and in dealing with the public. She really has been filling the role of associate editor for many years.
“Be sure to congratulate her on the new title when you see her!” said Silence.
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