The Covington News has a new newsroom leader as Bryan Fazio was promoted to editor this week.

Fazio, who has previously served as news editor and sports editor for The News, will be responsible for determining news coverage in the community, serving as the main public liaison and participating in shaping the stance of the company’s editorial board.

A native of Long Island, N.Y., who was raised in Florida, Fazio has worked in newspapers since 1999, including four years with The News, three years covering high school football in Valdosta and covering sports across three years for the Associated Press. He attended the University of South Florida.

"I’m excited for the opportunity to work with a great staff and be a part of this great community," Fazio said. "I’m eager to use our talent and resources to not just report on the community, but continue to be a part of it and help shape Newton County’s future through our print coverage and by increasingly using the internet to interact and connect with readers."

Fazio said he wants to focus on stories that help residents better understand their community and get involved.

The News’ Publisher Pat Cavanaugh said he was pleased by the opportunity to promote Fazio to the top spot.

"He has been an integral part of our newspaper staff, brings an unbridled enthusiasm and excitement to our editorial product and is surrounding himself with an aggressive staff of young professionals," Cavanaugh said.

Fazio can be reached at bfazio@covnews.com or by phone at 770-728-1438.

Former editor Jan Phillips has agreed to stay on with The News as the paper’s copy editor from her home in Greenville, S.C.

Sabastian Wee, the former editor of the college papers at Georgia Perimeter College (The Collegian) and Georgia State University (The Signal), has been hired as the paper’s design editor to handle day-to-day layout and set the creative direction for the paper.

Gabriel Khouli has been promoted to news editor to assist in running the newsroom, but his day-to-day duties as the paper’s local government and business reporter will remain unchanged.

Amber Pittman is returning to the newsroom to expand the paper’s entertainment coverage and increase Internet and social media connectivity with readers.

Contact information for all of The News’ employees can be found on CovNews.com by clicking on the "Contact Us" tab at the top of the website.