The Vidette

New reporter joins staff of The Vidette

A change of scenery is underway for Ohio native Travis Rains, who has joined The Vidette as a general assignment reporter. He will be covering news in and around the city of Elma, as well as school news and community events.

Working with the people of East County to continue a tradition of community awareness is a task he is looking forward to.

Rains notes that the atmosphere of the area is what appeals to him the most.

“The community of Elma and its surroundings are warm and welcoming, and I am excited to learn about the people who make it so, and the stories they have to tell,” he said. “So many stories have the potential to be intriguing, and I hope the community will stay in close contact with me so that as many of those stories as possible make it to The Vidette.”

Of the several qualified candidates, Rains was the best fit for the The Vidette, said Editor Corey Morris.

“In addition to quality writing samples, Travis’ strong work ethic and determination to succeed in journalism were selling points,” Morris said. “I look forward to reading the stories Travis will produce for The Vidette.”

Having worked all manner of jobs from customer service to groundskeeping, Rains is ready to enrich his writing career while at The Vidette, taking from his experience as an intern for the Lexington Herald-Leader in Lexington, Ky. Reporting on upcoming events, community outreach programs as well as on breaking news prepared him for his new position.

It was in Lexington that Rains studied journalism at the University of Kentucky, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 2016, and he says he’s “ready to hit the ground running.”

Rains lives in Montesano, and says he is thankful for his luck in finding a home so close to his place of employment.