Full-time reporter to provide more coverage of Jackson

Beginning today, the Southeast Missourian will have a full-time reporter working in Jackson, covering news events, government proceedings and community happenings in an overall effort to improve coverage and customer service in the city.

As part of the transition, the Southeast Missourian is investing in a new electronic network for the Jackson office, which will provide faster customer service to readers and advertisers. The circulation department is launching an effort to guarantee newspaper delivery inside the Jackson city limits by 6 a.m. or earlier.

Bob Miller, former Cape Girardeau city reporter, will be in the Southeast Missourian's office at the corner of Hope and Main streets beginning Monday. A Jackson resident since 1998, Miller said he's excited about providing increased, in-depth news coverage for his hometown.

The Southeast Missourian discontinued the weekly Jackson USA beginning this week. Its editor, Christine Pagano, will move into the Southeast Missourian's Cape Girardeau newsroom as community news reporter Tuesday. She will cover community news in Cape Girardeau County and the surrounding area, increasing Jackson's presence on the Faces & Places community news pages. The pages run Monday and Thursday, but a third page of Faces & Places is planned to begin later this month.

"I want to keep in touch with all my sources," said Pagano. "Keep sending me your Boy Scout photographs, civic club events and everything else. We want to get your news into the daily paper."

Pagano has lived in Jackson for eight years. She and her husband, Bruce, have two children in Jackson schools. Material can still be dropped off for her at the Jackson office.

Brett Nelson will continue to serve local advertisers as an account executive, explaining the opportunities to advertise in the Southeast Missourian and its products. He also lives in Jackson.

Linked to Cape GirardeauAs another part of the Southeast Missourian's plan to serve Jackson better, the office will be linked to the central office in downtown Cape Girardeau. Cathy Hancock, Jackson office manager, will be able to take vacation starts and stops for the circulation department and input them directly into the computer system. Instead of having to wait for answers about the status of a subscription, customers who stop by the office will be able to get information directly and locally. Missed deliveries should still be directed to the Cape Girardeau circulation call center at 334-7115.

Hancock also will be able to take classified ads, including garage sale and auction ads, and put them directly into the system, as well as check customers' past advertising use.

Photocopy, lamination and fax services will continue to be offered at the Jackson office, although it will no longer be called InstaPrint. Joyce Baker will continue to assist customers in this area, as well as provide support to newspaper customers on circulation and classified questions.

Office hours remain 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To reach Hancock, Miller, Baker or Nelson, stop by the office or call 243-6635. Readers also may submit story tips or other items to Miller by e-mail at bmiller@semissourian.com.

Pagano's new number is 335-6611, extension 133. Her e-mail remains the same: cpagano@semissourian.com.