Sun Tribune office in Othello now open

OTHELLO ­— The Sun Tribune newspaper has opened its office in Othello. It is downstairs at the Port of Othello, at 705 E. Hemlock Street.

Account Executive Robbie Rowe will be the main contact person there. The phone number is 509-770-1227.

“Things are going well,” Publisher Eric LaFontaine said. “We’ve found a great sales executive to staff the office.”

The second piece of the puzzle will be in place on Nov. 14, when Chanet Stevenson steps into a full-time role as a reporter and designer for the Sun Tribune.

LaFontaine will carry out his Sun Tribune duties from his desk as publisher of the Columbia Basin Herald in Moses Lake. For eight years, he was the publisher of the now-closed Othello Outlook.

“It’s wonderful to be back in Othello and reconnecting with many of the great people and businesses I got to know so well during my time there,” LaFontaine said.

Ted Escobar, who has been the editor of the Sun Tribune since its launch as the Royal Register in 2010, will be in Othello occasionally after Nov. 14. He will concentrate on Royal City and Mattawa news and sports.

Bob Barrett will continue to be the Othello sports reporter. Escobar will take on new duties as an arts and entertainment writer for This Week Columbia Basin, a new publication.

“I know the community will absolutely appreciate Robbie (Rowe),” La Fontaine said. “He’s an extremely hard worker and dedicated to our mission in Othello.”

LaFontaine expects the future to bring new readers. He expects the company’s digital footprint to grow in the Othello market.

“Most weekly newspapers do not have the resources and corporate support that we have. So the sky’s the limit,” he said.

Although the Othello office is open, persons who wish to contact Escobar directly or send news items directly may do so by calling 509-952-7189 or by emailing tedescobar@aol.com.

The mailing address for the Sun Tribune is P.O. Box 910 Moses Lake, WA 98837. That will change to an Othello box in the future.