Augusta, Ga. - John E. Miller has been named publisher of The Oak Ridger, a Morris-owned daily newspaper in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The appointment was announced today by President William S. Morris IV and is effective immediately.

The post has been vacant since July 2001, when the former publisher, Peter J. Esser III, became publisher of The Shawnee (Okla.) News- Star, also owned by Morris.

A native of Louisiana and a 30-year veteran of the newspaper industry, Miller built his career with Thomson Newspapers, serving most recently as president and CEO of Thomson's Acadiana Strategic Marketing Group in Lafayette, La. In that capacity, he was publisher of The Daily Advertiser and had additional responsibility for seven other publications in the group.

"John has a wealth of experience with operations similar to ours, and we are delighted he's joining our newspaper management team," said President Morris.

Morris Communications is a privately held media company with diversified holdings that include news-
paper and magazine publishing, outdoor advertising, radio broadcasting, book publishing and distribution, and computer services. For more information see the company's Web site at www.morris.com.