Craig Garnett (left), joined by wife Melissa Garnett, accepted the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors’ Eugene Cervi award at the organization’s annual conference in Cardiff, Wales, held July 15-19. At right is Chad Stebbins, executive director of the Missouri Press Association and ISWNE.

The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors chose Uvalde Leader-News publisher and owner Craig Garnett as the recipient of the prestigious Eugene Cervi award this year, which honors community journalists with a commitment to public affairs and watchdog reporting.

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General's Office will hold an open government seminar on Oct. 8 in Amarillo. The public is welcome to attend the free half-day training on the Texas Public Information Act, the Texas Open Meetings Act and public records cost rules.

Report for America will host an information session at noon Oct. 1 for Texas Press Association members to learn about the program and consider applying during the application period Sept. 14 through Oct. 19.

More information will be available soon.

Report for America is a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. RFA has placed more than 700 reporters into 450+ newsrooms in all 50 states to fill critical news coverage gaps.

Promotions, transfers, new hires and other personnel news reported by Texas newspapers and published in the September edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

SAM GONZÁLEZ KELLY and ISAAC YU, Houston Chronicle

HOUSTON – The Houston Chronicle’s local politics team is expanding with the addition of reporters Sam González Kelly and Isaac Yu.

Showing off general excellence awards in the Panhandle Press Association Better Newspaper Contest are Roger Estlack, (left) The Clarendon Enterprise in Division 1; and Tim Ritter, The Canyon News in Division 2. Awards were presented at the 117th Annual Panhandle Press Association convention in Hereford. Contest results are available on the TPA website. (Photo by Sue Brown)

Diana R. Fuentes, a veteran Texas journalist and news industry leader who was an ardent advocate for a free press and open government, is the posthumous recipient of this year’s James Madison Award.

Bestowed by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, the honor recognizes those who demonstrate their commitment to government transparency and First Amendment rights. The award will be presented to Fuentes’ family at the organization’s state conference Sept. 18 in Austin.

The Whitewright Sun has merged with the Whitesboro News-Record in a consolidated effort to serve readers better in Grayson County.

Coverage continues weekly with Austin and Jennifer Lewter at the helm as publishers along with Jessica Edwards as editor.

The newly revamped masthead bears the name the “News-Record.”

“We are thrilled to partner with another legendary weekly,” publisher Austin Lewter said. “We have long sought ways to organically grow our coverage in the county and this a natural step.”

BURNET – After 35 years of serving the Burnet community, the Citizens Gazette ceased to publish in July.

The decision to close came after the newspaper received word that the printing plant which produces the newspaper would be shutting down and would no longer be offering printing services to the Gazette and numerous other newspapers which it printed.

KERRVILLE – Shelly Bissell is the new publisher of The Kerrville Daily Times.

Leonard Woolsey, president of Southern Newspapers Inc., which owns The Kerrville Daily Times as well as nearby papers in New Braunfels and Seguin, welcomed Bissell to her new role.

PARIS, Texas – Clay Carsner has turned over the reins of The Paris News to a woman who has worked just a few steps away from him over his 14-year tenure, including the last five years as publisher at the paper.

Southern Newspapers, which owns The Paris News and nine other newspapers across Texas, announced this week that Kelsey Graham will be the next publisher of the paper.

Graham has been with the paper for 11 years, eight of those as business manager.