YH-R editor to take a jog in her career path

It started with a story about gasoline prices -- 56.9 cents per gallon at the time.

It's ending with a reflection upon 31 years of unwavering commitment to good journalism.

On Monday, Editor Sarah Jenkins announced her resignation from the Yakima Herald-Republic, effective Dec. 5.

Calling it "an extraordinarily difficult decision," she said she would greatly miss Yakima, but "it's time to try something new."

Jenkins, who began her career in 1977 as a part-time features writer for the Eugene (Ore.) Register-Guard -- where she wrote the story about gasoline prices -- has been editor in Yakima for 11 years.

"I've worked with no finer editor in 23 years in journalism, " said Yakima Herald-Republic Publisher Mike Shepard. "If it were left up to me, she'd remain the editor."

Jenkins, 55, will become director of communications for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Concordia, Kan., beginning Dec. 29.

She'll be writing, editing and designing a newsletter for the Catholic order of 160 nuns, writing for the diocesan newsletter and handling a wide array of other communications duties.

Acknowledging it will be a stark change to the fast-breaking developments at a daily newspaper, Jenkins said she would most miss investigative journalism. "I have such a belief in the constitutional value of what we do."

During her 31-year career, Jenkins also worked at newspapers in Walla Walla and Centralia, Wash., Newport, R.I., and Conway, N.H., and taught part time at several colleges, including Central Washington University.

Under her leadership, the Herald-Republic earned a number of national awards, including two for business reporting, one for international reporting and an investigative journalism award about the Thirtymile Fire disaster.

Noting that she takes pride in reaching out to the community and conducting conversations with readers, Jenkins said one of her proudest achievements here is the One World, One Valley Awards.

In 1999, she started the tradition of singling out behind-the-scenes people who volunteer their time to the community.

"I've had so much fun here, too," she added.

Shepard said a national search will begin immediately for a new editor.

"Sarah has brought extraordinary quality to this newspaper and has been key in helping us set very high standards," he said.

"I'm confident a replacement will build on that success."