Brooks named California Democrat editor

<p>Michelle Brooks</p>

Michelle Brooks

Central Missouri Newspapers Inc. has named Michelle Brooks as editor of the California Democrat.

Brooks has worked for the company for 17 years as a feature and general assignment reporter at the Jefferson City News Tribune, where here focus was on military and veterans issues, historic preservation and faith.

For the last five years, Brooks has split her time between the News Tribune and the Democrat and added coverage of the Russellville community to both newspapers.

In her time with the WEHCO Media-owned company, she has won more than 50 awards for her stories. In addition, Brooks received the Gregory Stockard Distinguished service award from the City of Jefferson Historic Preservation Commission in 2014 and the Central Missouri Newspapers Employee of the Quarter in May.

Prior to moving to Jefferson City in 2000, she was reporter/editor of the Monroe City News in Monroe City and sports stringer and general assignment reporter at the Daily Dunklin Democrat in Kennett.

Currently, she is completing work toward a bachelor's degree in liberal studies at Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

As editor of the Democrat, Brooks intends to continue the tradition of community journalism, finding the stories that make the California community special.

"My favorite stories are those that reveal insight into people, organizations and events - providing something that readers didn't know they didn't know," Brooks said.