Jimmy Currier is the newest addition to The Observer's newsroom. He replaces Tom Treweek, our former reporter. Currier joins the paper as a reporter and is re-united with his former editor and mentor Joe Joshi.

A veteran journalist, Currier was most recently the Sports Editor at the Effingham Herald in Rincon, Ga. He has covered an array of topics ranging from city council meetings to baseball championships, and previously worked with Joshi at the Bryan County News in Richmond Hill, Ga. Currier,

"I am excited about this wonderful new opportunity to work in Rio Rancho," Currier said. "My goal is to both inform and entertain our readers." Currier is a Georgia native, but said he is happy to be in the southwest. "New Mexico is a beautiful state and I am proud to be amongst the fine people of Rio Rancho," he said. "I look forward to making new friends and enjoying all that this city has to offer."

Currier took a different route to journalism than most. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in economics in 2002. While at UGA, he was the Sports Director for WUOG, 90.5 FM. He also wrote for the Atlanta Guide.

Though most of Currier's journalism is rooted in sports, he has robust experience covering hard news. At the Bryan County News, he covered several issues important to residents, including road construction, water and sewage plans, development, crime and education.

"I look forward to delving into the issues in Rio Rancho and presenting the facts to our readers," he said. "I am a big proponent of open government and look forward to working with our elected officials."

In addition to hard news coverage, Currier is eager to highlight the accomplishments of Rio Rancho's citizens. "People love to read a good heart-felt story and I believe every person has a story to tell," he said. "I want to highlight the accomplishments of people and broadcast their story to our readers."

Joshi said he is pleased to have Currier on the staff. "Jim has many interests, is well educated and he is a hard working person. He has good news judgment and photographs well. I am sure he will be an asset to this newspaper," said Joshi.