The Laurel Leader-Call has several new additions to the newsroom, including a new reporter, news editor and two sports writers.

Jason Niblett has taken the news editor position. Co-owner of South Mississippi Scene magazine, Niblett has 11 years experience in the news business.

A native of Brandon, Niblett now lives in Laurel. He attended Hinds Community College, the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi.

“I am excited to be at the Leader-Call in this position. I came here for a reporter position in 2001 and now I’m back. I’ve lived here since then and I’ve come to enjoy being a part of the community.”

Niblett has many goals planned for the newsroom.

“As far as my goals as news editor, I hope to help make the Leader-Call the area’s first and best source for the news that matters here in Jones County,” Niblett said.

Taking a reporter’s position, Steve Sanders, a native of Ellisville, brings 33 years of newsroom experience to the Leader-Call.

This well-seasoned reporter first began his journalism career in 1974 when he began working for the Leader-Call. He later moved from the area and held various newsroom positions in Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas.

Sanders is a graduate of South Jones High School and Jones County Junior College. He received a bachelor’s degree in anthropology/archaeology from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Marcus Gates is one of two new sports writers at the Leader-Call. He graduated from Satsuma High School in Satsuma, Ala. He is a graduate of Southwest State Technical College where he received a degree in automotive mechanics. He was an automotive mechanic for eight years and an aircraft mechanic for 15 years. He became a sports writer for the Daphne Bulletin in 2002 and brings five years of sports writing experience to the Leader-Call.

“I have always had a love for sports and I’ve always said if I could have a job in sports it would be the perfect job,” Gates said.

Charlie Hedden of Bogalusa, La., also a sports writer, is a recent graduate of William Carey University where he received a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with an emphasis in public relations. While at WCU he was news editor of the campus newspaper, The Cobbler.

“I am really excited about having these new additions to our newsroom,” said Leader-Call Editor Rob Sigler. “Jason is well-respected in this community and the locals are getting re-acquainted with Steve. Charlie and Marcus both bring talent and excitement to our sports department, and Amy Beets, who has been our People Editor for quite a while, recently graduated from Southern Miss and is now full time. She has some great things planned for the People section of the paper. I think our readers are going to really enjoy reading and getting to know our new newsroom staff.”