AUGUSTA, Ga.—Donald S. Smith has been named publisher of The Grand Island (Neb.) Independent. He will also assume the additional responsibilities of oversight for the operations of the York (Neb.) News-Times daily newspaper and two free community papers, Mid Nebraska Connections, Grand Island, and Trade and Transactions, York. The announcement was made today by William S. Morris IV, president and chief executive officer, and is effective Nov. 10. Smith succeeds Robert L. Krecklow in the publisher position.

Smith had been publisher of the Juneau (Alaska) Empire, another Morris-owned daily, since January 2001. Prior to that he was group publisher of Morris' Western Slope Publishing Group, a network of seven Colorado publications sold by the company in November 2000.

Earlier in his 33-year newspaper career, Smith was publisher of the Yankton (S.D.) Daily Press & Dakotan, a property purchased by Morris in 1995. A native of Hannibal, Mo., and a graduate of the University of Missouri, Smith also worked for the Hannibal (Mo.) Courier-Post and the Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune.

"Don Smith is a veteran newspaper executive with a solid grasp of operations from both the editorial and business sides," Morris said. "He plays an important leadership role in our company."

"Don's roots are in the Midwest, which makes him an ideal choice for this key Nebraska market," said James C. Currow, Morris vice president for newspapers. "He has extensive experience in advertising and revenue-building and is equally committed to building community."

Morris Publishing Group LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morris Communications Company LLC, a privately held media company based in Augusta, Ga.. Morris Publishing Group was formed in 2001 and assumed the operations of the newspaper business segment of its parent, Morris Communications. Morris Publishing publishes 26 daily, 10 nondaily and 23 free community newspapers in the United States.