Veteran journalist Jon Chown took over the reins of the Press-Banner on Monday, May 19 as the publication’s new editor and general manager.
He takes over editorial duties from reporter Joe Shreve, who served as interim editor in the month following the April departure of longtime editor Peter Burke.
Chown, a 1994 graduate of Humboldt State University, has 20 years experience in newspapers, having worked at daily newspapers in Oroville, Marysville and Grass Valley before moving to the Monterey Bay region in 2000 to be the editor of the Register-Pajaronian in Watsonville.
Chown left the R-P to found his own newspaper in 2012, the Monterey Bay News & Views, with the ambition of covering the entire Monterey Bay region from Scotts Valley to Carmel.
Unfortunately, a lack of revenue forced him to shut it down 13 months later.
Chown said that when Press-Banner’s Publisher Will Fleet contacted him about the vacancy, he jumped at the chance.
“I wanted to get back into newspapers,” said Chown.
Chown is currently a resident of Marina and married with two children, ages 20 and 14.
His wife, Darcy Chown, is a teacher who works in Live Oak.
Chown said his family plans to relocate to the area as soon as the school year ends and he will be looking for a good place to rent.
“I’m really excited to learn more about this area and become a part of it,” Chown said.
Chown can be reached at either pb******@pr*********.com or at jo*@pr*********.com
