CLEVELAND, Tenn. (AP) - Longtime Cleveland Daily Banner Publisher and Editor Stephen Crass says he plans to retire in January after leading the paper for 16 years.
The Banner reported Wednesday that Crass' newspaper career spans 40 years at seven different newspapers in Tennessee, Georgia and Missouri. He worked in every newspaper department, beginning as a staff writer following college.
Crass said staffing at the Banner increased over the 16 years he ran the paper and the newspaper, unlike most papers, has not reduced its personnel, a fact of which he said he is most proud. He said the paper's employees are dedicated and take pride in the work they produce.
Crass was raised in Harriman, Tenn., and is a graduate of Roane State Community College and Middle Tennessee State University. He also attended graduate school at MTSU and the University of Tennessee.
A successor has not been named.