>>>  The De Leon Free Press Staff  <<<

 About Us

Every year since 1890 the De Leon Free Press has reported the news in our town and surrounding rural community.  From the early days, through the oil boom, the recession, war years and right on up into the modern era, we have been here.  During that time the De Leon Free Press has become essential reading for local citizens, for former residents and for those with an interest in our community and area.

We provide in-depth news of local and county governments, our schools, our county hospital and water districts, law enforcement and the volunteer fire department.  We also include people news such as weddings and birth announcements, obituaries, and church activities.  And, we cover the many boys and girls sports programs of De Leon High School where excellence and winning is a long established tradition.

Our feature stories and special features provide additional interest and reading enjoyment.  Profiles of local personalities, humor columns, puzzles, recipes, war stories, human interest stories, and historical recaps all add flavor and zest to the sometimes dull business of local news.

One of our more popular feature columns is entitled "I Got NO REASON TO LIE".  It is written by our local humorist, Charles Chupp.  Chupp recounts, and occasionally embroiders upon, humorous events that he experiences or hears about in the various coffee shops around town.  His writing style is truly unique and inimitable.

It all adds up to a finely detailed look at life on the north end of Comanche County and surrounding areas, and a spotlight shining on De Leon, the self proclaimed, "Busiest Town, Friendliest People".  We are home to the annual De Leon Peach & Melon Festival, the Terrill Antique Car Museum, and an old-time downtown Texas main street boasting fine dining, an old time drug store with a working soda fountain, and much more.

If you are not fortunate enough to live here, the only way you will be able to read about it all is through a subscription.  You can, however, get a sampling of our weekly reporting and photography by looking at our on-line archives.

We don't want to deny any of our readers the authentic newspaper reading experience, however.  So, if you are interested, try us out.  $30 will bring you our newspaper for one year anywhere the U.S. Postal Service can deliver it.  If you live in Texas, the annual subscription is $25.  Just go to the Subscribe page.

Our newspaper staff

Publisher

Jerry Morgan

Jerry grew up on a peanut farm just outside of town.  After working in accounting and business for most of his adult life, he and his wife Sheri returned to their home town in March 1999 when Jerry purchased the newspaper. 

Sheri is a pharmacist and owns and operates Shelby Pharmacy, a business founded by her father.

Editor

Laura Kestner

Laura is a journalist with much experience and a long list of credentials, having worked in responsible positions for several newspapers in the area.  She and her husband, John, who is a newspaper pressman, live in De Leon.

 Laura is an accomplished writer and history buff.

Business Manager

Margie Reyna

Margie has the most tenure of any of our staff, having worked for the previous publisher and editor.

Margie runs the office, handles our subscriptions and office supplies business and, most importantly, is responsible for the computerized layout of the newspaper.

Ad Production

Kay Hodges

Kay has the second longest tenure with our newspaper, having been here almost as long as Margie. Kay is our creative person on staff. 

She builds our local ads and also works with Margie on newspaper layout and then is responsible for compiling and sending the electronic files for printing.

Advertising

Betty Wofford

Betty grew up in the Duster community west of De Leon and has lived and worked in De Leon all her life.  For many years she ran the Blossom Shop and is often referred to by the locals as "Miss Blossom". 

She calls on area businesses and individuals and assists them with their advertising and community support efforts.

Sports Editor

Tim White