<p>Nancy McCarthy</p>

It was just a year ago today that I didnt know how much life for some of us on the south side of Clatsop County was about to change.

A year ago today, I was happily humming along, working as a reporter, covering the news of Cannon Beach, Seaside and Gearhart for The Daily Astorian.

Then, on March 8, 2013, I was appointed editor of the Cannon Beach Gazette and the Seaside Signal.

My business card belies my split personality.

On one side, the logos for the Gazette and the Signal are side by side. Underneath them is my name. Underneath my name is Editor, in all caps.

On the other side of the card is the logo for The Daily Astorian. Next to that, is my name, with the title, South Clatsop County Reporter.

The two new titles, the business card, the much greater responsibility all came about because the EO Media Group, which operates The Daily Astorian, the Chinook Observer and other newspapers in Oregon, bought the Gazette, Signal and the Coast River Business Journal on March 1, 2013.

Ever since the announcement of the purchase, life has been busy.

The Seaside office moved out of its smaller location next to Seaside Health Foods to a larger site a mile to the north.

Expanded

With an expanded office came an expanded news staff: Louie Opatz was hired to cover Seaside and Gearhart, and Erick Bengel covers Cannon Beach. Together, we write stories and take photos for The Daily Astorian, the Gazette and the Signal. With additional manpower, we can take a more comprehensive look at South County issues as well as cover the events and personalities in each town.

With the new acquisitions, sales reps Wendy Richardson and Michael Ficker have been able to provide a greater variety of publications and websites for local businesses to promote their goods and services.

In addition, Rebecca Herren puts together the calendars for the Gazette, the Signal, the Coast Weekend and the Coast Weekend website; answers phones; assists those who come to the office requesting everything from new subscriptions to classified ads; helps Wendy and Michael with advertising tasks; and even takes the trash to the curb.

Were a full-service office and a pretty cohesive group.

Hectic

The year has been hectic, and thats an understatement. We have had our share of surprises, challenges and exhausting days. Once, during the first few months of the reorganization, a friend asked me if I was having any fun.

Its a question I ask myself now quite often. And, usually, the answer is yes.

Heres what I have enjoyed about the past year:

I have a big desk and a quiet office. OK, thats a personal thing, but I had to mention it. My office is no longer a storage room, as it was in the previous location.

So many people came up to me after hearing the news about the sale and my appointment as editor and congratulated me. They seemed to be truly happy about the change, and they continue to be supportive.

I have enjoyed being able to work with Louie and Erick in exploring issues in greater depth than I was able to do as an individual reporter. When the Seaside School District proposed a $128 million bond measure to build a K-12 campus, we were able to look at all of the measures nuances, including the benefits of the proposed site, other schools designed by the architectural firm, the measures financial implications, the deteriorating condition of the districts schools and the potential threat of a tsunami.

Recently, we took an in-depth look at the proposed Cannon Beach Academy charter proposal, and we have followed the journey of Phil Simmons and his charter school committee as they plan a new school in Cannon Beach.

Other news

Following the January fires in Arch Cape and Falcon Cove, Louie and Erick asked how prepared local fire crews are to fight wildland fires, what regulations timber companies must follow and what role the state Department of Forestry plays in fighting fires.

I enjoy working with the local columnists who fill a page or two every week with news about tourism efforts, art exhibits, library activities and everyday life in the communities. Freelance photographer Jeff Ter Har has helped to enrich the papers with his photos of sports events, local festivals and parades, and, of course, the local elk herd.

Finally, I enjoy receiving emails and visits from people I have come to know during the past seven years that I have been a South County reporter and, now, editor. Sometimes they contact me to complain. Sometimes they come to praise. Often, they want something to be covered. We strive to please: And with so many outlets we have now, its easier to find just the right niche.

Im not saying that there havent been challenges, and they will continue. We cant always cover everything we want to; there arent enough hours in the day to be at every event.

But we want to continue hearing from you, to make The Daily Astorian, the Seaside Signal and the Cannon Beach Gazette (and all their websites) your source of hometown news.

A year ago, I had no idea how my life would explode. But it was a good thing, even with two titles added to my name.

Happy first anniversary!

Nancy McCarthy covers South Clatsop County for The Daily Astorian. She also is the editor of the Cannon Beach Gazette and the Seaside Signal. Her column appears every other week.