Quinn Paxton, the Local News reported for the Emerson Valley Gazette, has been named acting editor-in-chief. She takes over for the missing previous acting editor-in-chief, Martin Fitzgerald, who disappeared during a Halloween camping trip to Blackwood Forest. The paper’s last proper editor-in-chief, Charles Donovan, is the prime suspect in the murder of his wife and previous Local News reporter Sarah Donovan. He hasn’t been seen since July and is considered a fugitive on the run. That doesn’t bode well for the prospects of Miss Paxton.

“I’m only taking the title of “acting editor-in-chief” because Mr. Donovan never officially vacated his position,” said Miss Paxton in an interview with herself. “As far as I know, he’s still alive. Until he’s either arrested or found dead, he remains in charge of the Gazette.”

Although Mr. Fitzgerald is considered missing, history shows that it’s very unlikely he’s still alive. Most people who go missing in Blackwood Forest are never found. On the few occasions someone returns, they can never remember what happened to them during the period they were missing.

“I think I’ll just have to get used to the idea of being the only member of the Gazette staff,” Miss Paxton said. “Our website runs on advertising revenue, and there’s not nearly enough money coming in to replace the staff members who died or went missing. I don’t have the contacts nor the skills to bring in more advertisers.”

For now, all Miss Paxton can do is continue to report the news and hope a solution presents itself before the Gazette is forced to shutter operations altogether.

“I’ll do my best to keep the citizens of Emerson Valley informed of current events,” she asserted. “Hopefully they appreciate my efforts. I believe in the right of the people to know what’s going on in their town. It’s that belief that’s keeping me going, ’cause it sure ain’t the paycheck.”

-Quinn Paxton, Acting Editor-in-Chief, Emerson Valley Gazette