There have been a few changes in the island newspapers this year and we’d like to share with our readers what those changes are. We all wear multiple hats and provide support to all three of the islands’ periodicals — The Islands’ Sounder, The Islands’ Weekly and The Journal of the San Juans.

Here are the recent moves:

The Journal of the San Juans and the Real Estate Guide of the San Juan Islands has a new advertising salesperson. Tate Thomson has been a graphic artist for The Journal since the summer of 2017 and has recently taken on ad sales in addition to her current role.

Thomson is happy for this new job and the opportunity to meet and work with community advertisers whose ads she has already worked on since starting at The Journal. She has enjoyed being a graphic artist and loves a creative challenge. She encourages people to get in touch with her if they are considering advertising but don’t know where to start.

Thomson’s job at the paper has allowed her to become a full-time islander, which she is the happiest about. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dog and photography, and she occasionally takes on freelance graphic design jobs, including illustrating children’s books.

To contact Thomson, email tthomson@sanjuanjournal.com or call 360-378-5696.

Diane Craig, a reporter and office manager at the Islands’ Sounder, will be handling special section sales for San Juan and Lopez. To contact Craig, call the Sounder office at 360-376-4500 or email dcraig@islandssounder.com.

Group publisher Colleen Smith will be taking over advertising sales on Lopez Island. An Orcas resident, Smith was named publisher of the Sounder, Journal and Islands’ Weekly in 2014. Prior to that, she has been the publisher of the Sounder since 2012 and editor since 2008. Before moving to Orcas, she managed the Islands’ Weekly on Lopez for five years.

“I’ve been enjoying reconnecting with Lopez clients and helping businesses and nonprofits share their message,” Smith said. “I am so pleased that Tate and Diane are part of our sales team. They care a great deal about the San Juan Islands and the role that our local newspapers play in our communities.”

To contact Smith, call the Sounder office at 360-376-4500 or email csmith@islandssounder.com.

Former general manager and ad representative Cali Bagby will no longer be working for the Journal as she has left to pursue freelance opportunities. Bagby stepped down as editor in May, at which time Mandi Johnson was promoted to fill the position.

Send your articles, photos, letters, story ideas and press releases to Johnson at editor@sanjuanjournal.com.