Mia Overton joins The Press editorial staff.
Jake Browning
reporter@thefranklinpress.com
The Franklin Press welcomed news editor Mia Overton as the newest member of its editorial team this week.
Overton is a Franklin native who graduated from Franklin High School and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Over the past 30 years, she has worked extensively in journalism as an editor, publisher and reporter for the Advocate & Democrat in Sweetwater, Tennessee, the McDowell News in Marion, and Marina Dock Age magazine. She spent the last 10 years working in public relations and marketing, and was most recently the community relations manager for the Osceola County Historical Society in Kissimmee, Florida. When she saw an opening with The Franklin Press, she took it as a great opportunity to find her way back to Macon County.
“I’ve been homesick for a while,” Overton said. “I saw that there was a position available at The Franklin Press and knew that I had to take my chance.”
Overton has covered a little bit of everything in her journalism career throughout the years, including local government, education, nonprofit activities, tourism and healthcare to name a few subjects. A former executive director of the Macon County Historical Society, she is also familiar with the history of the area. While she expects much has changed since she last lived in Franklin, she’s excited to learn more about the people who call the community home and the lives that they’re leading.
“I’ve been gone a long time,” Overton said. “I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and seeing everyone again and meeting new people. I’m excited to be home.”
She is married to Tom Overton and has three stepsons, Thomas, Mason and James, and is the daughter of J.C. and Wilma Anderson of Otto.
“We’re excited to add Mia’s voice to the editorial department at The Franklin Press,” said Franklin Region Publisher Rachel Hoskins. “We talk so often about talented people who grow up and leave Macon County in pursuit of a career. We think it’s a win when we can entice them to come back home and practice their craft at their hometown newspaper. In this instance it meant adding a new position in our news department and we feel fortunate we were able to do so. She will be a great asset to our team.”
Overton can be reached by calling the Franklin Press at 828-524-2010 or by emailing moverton@thefranklinpress.com.