The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

July 5, 2012

Baines joins TDS news staff

TARBORO — The Daily Southerner news staff has added a new member, Miranda Baines, according to newspaper editor/publisher John H. Walker.

Baines, who has a BA in English from James Madison University and an MS is corporate and professional communication from Radford University, will cover a variety of topics, but will concentrate on education and community-related news issues.

“We’re pleased to have someone with Miranda’s background join our staff,” Walker said. “We took our time in this search, which attracted more than 25 applicants, because we wanted someone we felt would fit into the community, become an active member of the community and be aggressive about finding local news stories.”

Baines’ writing career began while at James Madison, as she worked as a writer for the university’s alumni magazine and also wrote news releases and edited copy for the university’s website.

After leaving JMU, Baines joined the Rockingham County (NC) News Group.  She covered the education beat and arts and entertainment while also serving as a general assignment reporter for the Eden Daily News and The Reidsville Review from December 2005 until August 2009.

Since that time, she completed an internship with the Danville (Va.) Regional Foundation while earning her master’s degree at Radford University.  Most recently, she has served as a freelance news reporter for the Rockingham papers and worked in customer service.

Baines had a bit of a rough landing in Edgecombe County, arriving at her new residence in Tarboro as Sunday’s storms hit and power was lost.

“My mother and I made it to Wal-Mart, the only place in town with power, dodging downed tree limbs along the way. We made it back to the house with flashlights, batteries, and bottles of water, which I will now keep in an emergency tool kit at all times. Later that evening, just moments after my neighbor loaned me her garden lanterns to provide an extra source of light, the power was restored.  My first few hours in Tarboro were a little tumultuous, but the folks here are friendly and the town is charming.”

Baines said she enjoys attending outdoor festivals and concerts.

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