The Warrensburg Star-Journal has welcomed three new employees in the newsroom.
Annelia Nixon and Zach Bott have joined the team as full-time reporters and Ella Bland is a part-time newsroom assistant. Bland started in October and Nixon and Bott started in November.
“After experiencing some staffing struggles over the last year, I’m thrilled to see the Warrensburg newsroom return to full staff, especially with some talented young journalists,” Editor Nicole Cooke said. “I know Annelia and Zach will be great news reporters for the Warrensburg and Johnson County communities. I’m also excited to have Ella join the team in a new position that I hope will be impactful for both of our newsrooms.”
Nixon graduated from the University of Central Missouri in May 2023 with a degree in Digital Media Production. While at UCM, she worked for the Muleskinner, the university’s student newspaper, as a copy editor and reporter. She is a native of the Bahamas but has lived in Missouri for several years.
“I am excited to connect with the community and learn all there is to know about Warrensburg,” Nixon said. “I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to tell the stories of those who make Warrensburg what it is.”
Bott graduated from the University of Missouri in May 2023 with a degree in Journalism. While at Mizzou, he worked for the Columbia Missourian as a sports reporter, sports editor, and graphics producer. He is from the Chicago suburb of Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
“I am very gracious to be given the opportunity here at the Warrensburg Star-Journal,” Bott said. “Warrensburg is a great town and I’m happy to start my career here.”
Bland is from the St. Louis area and is a student at UCM studying Digital Media Production. She was an editor and reporter for her high school newspaper.
While Bland works in the Star-Journal office, she works for the Sedalia Democrat and Star-Journal newsrooms, assisting with day-to-day tasks like obituaries, news releases, milestone announcements, community submissions, and weekly community calendars. She also helps with special section projects throughout the year.
Nixon can be reached at annelian@warrensburgstarjournal.com. Bott can be reached at zachb@warrensburgstarjournal.com. Bland can be reached at ellab@sedaliademocrat.com. Reach the Warrensburg newsroom at 660-747-8123 or the Sedalia newsroom at 660-826-1000.
