Dear Newton County,

Please accept this column as notice that I will resign from my position as Editor and Publisher of The Covington News effective Oct. 25. In just a few short days, I will walk out of this Usher Street office and only return as a subscriber and friend. 

I have been completely overwhelmed by the support via email, text and phone that the community has shown me since I made the announcement of my leaving earlier this week. Thank you. You have no idea how much it means to me. 

As I look back on the three years I’ve spent at this newspaper, I am reminded of my journey to Newton County. I came to the “Hollywood of the South” wide-eyed and excited to put pen to paper. After leaving a position at the Lake Oconee News, in Greensboro, I was excited to get closer to home and start to tell the story of a larger community. 

Since then, I have fallen in love with Newton County. 

If someone would have told me I would be in the editor and publisher position of this newspaper in just three years, I would have laughed – hysterically – in their face. 

I made it my mission to become part of this community as soon as I got here and I am happy to say that I’ve made lifetime friendships along the way. I’d like to thank the people who have helped me along the way. You know who you are. Without your friendships, partnerships, honesty and criticism I would not be who I am today. Thank you.

Don’t worry, I am not going far. I have accepted a position with Oxford College of Emory University and will make the jump from journalism to communications. That being said, I don’t want you to give up on The Covington News. The people working for this publication work each week to put their heart and souls into the stories they tell. 

I am excited to see how The News staff takes on the challenges that come with community journalism and how they continue to hold the local officials to a higher bar. 

Thank you for the pleasure of coming into your home each week. It was truly an honor. 

Sincerely,

Jackie Gutknecht

Jackie Gutknecht is the editor and publisher of The Covington News. She can be reached at jgutknecht@covnews.com. Twitter: @jackieg1991