A Fond Farewell

John: When I was hired in 2020 as the General Manager of the Cherokeean Herald by the owners at that time, Lewis County Press, we needed to hire a reporter/editor. A well-known local reporter who was working for a different publication joined our staff, but it took a bit of convincing. When Jo Anne Embleton came to the Cherokeean Herald she bought her knowledge of writing and personal contacts for almost every official and civic leader in Cherokee County – what a blessing for her to be able to hit the ground running.

Penny: What John didn’t mention was that when he came to the Cherokeean, 4 of the 5 members of the staff had left in 5 months. I was the only one left so we had rebuild, fast.

Jo Anne cut her teeth as a cub reporter in South Texas, then spent 16 years as writing for the Catholic Diocese, with a short tenure at the Tyler newspaper and almost 12 years at the Jacksonville Progress.  And now, almost 5 years with the Cherokeean. She was a fixture at school boards meetings, city council meetings, Commissioners’ Court, festivals and on the sideline of various sport events. 

Sadly for us, Jo Anne has decided to retire and her last day in Rusk and with The Cherokeean will be Monday, June 30, although she’ll continue to be a special contributor from time to time. 

We will host an open house on Friday, June 27, at our office from 2-4 p.m. so that folks can come wish Jo Anne a very happy and well-deserved retirement.