Sound Publishing’s Whidbey Regional Publisher and Executive Editor, Keven Graves, and South Whidbey Record Associate Publisher, Kim Winjum, announced Friday that Whidbey News-Times reporter Justin Burnett will be the new editor for The South Whidbey Record, a twice-weekly community newspaper located in Langley.
Burnett is succeeding longtime editor Jim Larsen, who left The Record earlier this month.
“We’re really thrilled to have someone with Justin’s journalistic experience and integrity to fill some very big shoes,” said Graves. “We didn’t rush into a decision, had some outstanding candidates, but in the end Kim and I kept coming back to Justin.”
“I have confidence that Justin will be a great leader for The Record and that the community will like the direction he takes the newspaper in the coming months and years,” Graves said.
Burnett has worked as a reporter for the Whidbey News-Times and The Record on Whidbey Island for about three years. Previously, he was reporter for The Whidbey Examiner.
Most recently he has covered Island County government and the noise issues centering around Outlying Field Coupeville.
“Justin is also an excellent photographer,” Graves said.
“I am thrilled to have Justin take over the helm for the editorial side of The Record,” Winjum said. “His experience covering county-wide issues and local government will bring a valuable perspective to South Whidbey readers.”
We’re confident that Justin’s experience and knowledge will resonate well in the community, she said.
Burnett’s first day as editor of The Record is Monday, Aug. 5.
Based in Washington State, Sound Publishing newspapers, classified publications, and partner newspapers serve western Washington and western Oregon communities. Sound’s expansive household distribution blankets the entire Greater Puget Sound region, extending northward from Seattle to Canada, south to Salem, Oregon, and westward to the Pacific Ocean.