Augusta, Ga. - John Winters has been named general manager of The Grand Island Independent, Grand Island, Neb. He will assume his new responsibilities Sept. 18.

Winters, who has been with Morris Communications for 15 years, has been publisher of the Juneau(Alaska) Empire since 1995. In the seven years he spent as a reporter for the Augusta Chronicle earlier in his career, Winters received three Pulitzer Prize nominations for his coverage of the Savannah River Site.

"John has excellent judgement and strong experience in the newspaper industry," said William S. Morris III, chairman and CEO. "He was ready to move up to a larger news organization, and Grand Island will triple his responsibility."

The Grand Island Independent has a daily circulation of 24,000, more than three times greater than the 7,000 daily circulation of the Juneau Empire.

Morris Communications is a privately held media company with diversified holdings that include newspaper and magazine publishing, outdoor advertising, radio broadcasting, book publishing and distribution, and computer services. For additional information, see www.morris.com.