ELY—The Timberjay has hired a new full-time Ely editor to replace Keith Vandervort, who died suddenly last August.
Catherine “Catie” Helm-Clark is a research geologist who turned to newspapering several years after retiring early from the Idaho National Laboratory, serving most of her time in journalism as an award-winning staff writer for the Idaho Business Review. Before that, she worked for a small, community-oriented daily newspaper in Blackfoot, Idaho, covering topics like local government, agriculture, and rural health care. She’s worked in both print and online reporting.
She has been a prolific writer for years, having maintained a website (wordsmithing.work) and blog that provides science-based content for a wide range of publications and companies.
“Her writing is detailed, factual, and engaging,” said Timberjay Publisher Marshall Helmberger. “We’re excited to have Catie on board. While no one can replace Keith, Catie will bring her own significant skills and experience to the job and will undoubtedly make her own mark in Ely.”
Catie brings a considerable skillset to the Timberjay. Given her extensive scientific background, she’s experienced in statistical analysis, database management, technical writing, and a wide array of publishing and research-related software. She holds a master’s degree in geophysics from the California Institute of Technology and a PhD in geology from UC-Davis and has written numerous scientific papers on highly technical geological research topics and concepts.
Due to previous commitments and obligations, and the time involved in moving, Catie won’t be able to start her work in Ely until Dec. 1. She and her husband Sean Clark are planning to move permanently to Ely and are in the process of buying a house in town.
Her husband works as an Internet registrar, assigning URLs to websites in other countries. It’s a remote-work occupation that allows him to live anywhere with a reliable broadband connection.