Southern Standard and Smithville Review Publisher, Patricia Zechman is putting away the pen, so to say. After a 50 years career with the Southern Standard newspaper, Zechman has decided to retire.

Zechman’s career began in January 1967 when she was hired to typeset for $1.25 per hour. In 1977 she was promoted to managing editor of the Standard, then promoted to general manager in the 90s, then was named publisher of the Standard and Review. The position she held until her retirements.

She has truly been invested in the community, saying she hopes the newspaper never becomes unimportant.

 “Pat Zechman has dedicated her career to serving the citizens of Warren County and beyond, leaving a lasting impact through her commitment to reporting the news with integrity and dedication,” Morris Multimedia Regional Manager Charles Hill Morris, Jr. said. “For over 50 years, Pat Zechman has been a cornerstone of the Southern Standard, shaping the paper, engaging its readers and earning the respect of colleagues and the community alike. Her presence will be deeply missed, and she leaves behind a legacy that will be difficult to replace.”