Two new bylines will soon be appearing in your Middlesboro Daily News.

Ashley Collingsworth has joined the staff as a General Assignment Reporter. She is a native of Claiborne County and a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University. She previously spent time as a Staff Writer at the Claiborne Progress and Head News Writer at Sigmon Communications.

“Ashley brings a tremendous amount of enthusiasm to her new role,” said Regional Editor Drew Fritz. “We are extremely fortunate for her to have found us. Being from here, she fully understands the pulse of our readership very well and has a solid understanding of the stories we need to produce in order to best serve them. I have zero doubt that she will commit many acts of outstanding journalism here at the Daily News.”

“My passion is, and always has been, writing,” Collingsworth said. “I knew from a very young age that writing and sharing stories is what makes me my happiest. I am so very thankful for the privilege to be back doing what I love with such an amazing team. Telling the stories from the people who spotlight

our community or sharing an event that brightens our community is what is important. Building these relationships with the people from this community that will last a lifetime is at the very heart of what I want to do. It is important to get to know every aspect our community and spotlight the information that

truly deserves to be shared.”

Claiborne County native, John Dunn, has joined the staff as Sports Reporter. While this is his first full-time job in sports journalism, he is definitely not without experience. Dunn started his own highly popular web-based call-in show,The All Vol Call in Show, which he will continue to produce. His sportswriting experience includes time as a correspondent for Grainger Today. He is also a former high school and collegiate athlete himself.

“John’s appetite for sports of all sorts is borderline rabid, and that’s a great attribute to have for this role, as well as his tremendous in-depth knowledge of our regional sports scene,” Fritz said. “I know that he will be tireless in his pursuit of as many events and sports features as he can possibly cover.”

“I am extremely excited to further my career in sports journalism. From a very young age, I have eaten, slept and breathed sports,” Dunn said. “I feel very optimistic about the direction of the Middleboro Daily News, and blessed for the opportunity to collaborate with so many great journalists, as well as add my own personal flair and style to the sports coverage”.

“Both John and Ashley are bringing a tremendous amount of energy and a deep passion for local journalism,” said Publisher Rita Haldeman. “It is my expectation that you will see great things happening in the Daily News where local news and information is the priority. We are so excited to welcome them to our MDN family.”

Both Collingsworth and Dunn will be counted on heavily to help the Daily News refine its focus on local news and sports. But they can’t do it alone. We at the Middlesboro Daily News are counting on our readers to help make this happen as well. While we may not be able to honor every request, please don’t hesitate to contact us with your coverage requests and story ideas.