As some readers may have seen, there have been numerous changes at the Waverly Newspapers in the past few months, all of which have been done to help the newspaper better serve subscribers, readers and the community as a whole in Bremer and Butler counties.
With those changes, though, have come some questions as to who is in what roles, and what each staffer at the newspaper is doing in their respective jobs. To better serve you, the readers, this “hello†and introduction article details each of the dedicated staff members’ job duties and some comments about why they enjoy the community and their work.
Among the changes at the Waverly Newspapers are the hiring of new Managing Editor Jeff Forward in early December 2024, the shifting of reporter Mira Schmitt-Cash to a dual sports and news reporter, and the hiring of new part-time sports reporter Cole Negen.
We at the Waverly Newspapers hope this information helps readers and community members get to better know the newspaper’s staff, and also to know whom to contact or reach out to for tips, article ideas and news tidbits.
The newspaper that residents of Waverly and Bremer and Butler counties read is one of numerous publications owned by parent company Community Media Group.
Tracy J. Cummings, regional publisher based in Oelwein, has 25 years of service with Community Media Group in the Northeast Iowa market. She leads the team in Waverly as well as the staffs in Oelwein and several other communities in the region.
“Working for the newspapers for the past 25 years has been a rewarding career,†Cummings said.
“I’ve seen many changes over the years but one thing that stays constant is our hardworking and dedicated employees that go above and beyond to put out the best products that our readers and community deserve,†she added. “Thank you to our readers and advertisers for your continued support and for allowing the Waverly Newspapers to deliver local news and sports to your doorstep! I appreciate each one of you.â€
Locally, the Waverly Newspapers newsroom, community outreach and print and digital advertising efforts are managed and guided by General Manager Melaine Buzynski.
“I really enjoy working with the people in this community and our newspaper family,†Buzynski said. “I am proud of the dedication and teamwork that goe into listening and creating the community newspaper that reflects the people, businesses and culture. I consider myself to be lucky to be a part of your legacy.â€
On the circulation side of the newspaper, James Barbutes is the circulation manager. Originally from Ohio, he spent much of his newspaper career in Florida prior to relocating to Waverly with his wife, Lisa, who also works at the newspaper as a circulation assistant.
Elizabeth Bingham is a general assignment reporter, primarily focused on special sections and features. She also does the historical “look-back†series “Time Warp†and is the comma and grammar guru on staff. She will have worked at the newspaper for three years in March and served as interim editor for almost seven months in mid- to late 2024.
“I love meeting people and sharing their stories with the community,†Bingham said. “When people are interested in what’s happening locally, that helps bring them together.â€
DeAnn Meyer is a print and digital advertising representative at the newspaper, working with clients around the county and Waverly. A mother of two, she is passionate about music and high school sports.
“My favorite thing about working at Waverly Newspapers is building healthy relationships with clients while promoting their businesses,†Meyer said.
DeAnn’s daughter works at the newspaper, making it a family affair.
Dawn Meyer-Lillibridge delivers the newspaper to Waverly newsstands each week. She has worked at the newspaper for two years. Dawn is currently a student and athlete at Waverly-Shell Rock High School.
“I like the hours, they fit my busy schedule, and of course the pay check,†Meyer-Lillibridge said.
Emarae Carey is the office manager and legals/records page coordinator. She has worked at the newspaper for three months.
“I like the environment, and being able to see our stories being printed for everyone to read,†Carey said of working at the newspaper.
Carrie Wright is the lead graphic designer for the newspaper, and she is responsible for a range of duties, including: designing ads, laying out and designing the newspaper, producing and designing special sections, the Waverly Super Shopper, the entertainment guide, the Bremer County Factbook and the Waverly Visitor’s guide.
Wright has worked for the Waverly Newspapers for 11 years and lives in Waverly with her family.
“I love working at my hometown paper, being able to connect to the community I was born and raised in,†Wright explained. “Being a part of a community paper that is 167 years old is a huge honor and a great sense of pride to see how it continues to evolve.â€
Mira Schmitt-Cash has worked at various Northern Iowa newspapers more than a decade and joined the Waverly Newspapers in September 2024 after a stint with the sibling publication in Oelwein. She does both sports and news reporting as well as helps with proofreading of the paper.
“I’ve been a reporter for some 13 years and with Waverly Newspapers several months, including spring 2022 and this school year. I enjoy the community, and am privileged to now get to learn about the workings of the community for my job since being back at the paper,†Schmitt-Cash said. “Waverly offers a good variety of activities for a city its size.â€
Jeff Forward joined the Waverly Newspapers on Dec. 9, 2024, as managing editor and does local reporting, photography, editing and other duties at the newspaper.
A 28-year veteran journalist who has worked at community newspapers in seven states, Forward said he is excited to keep learning about Waverly and Bremer and Butler counties as he completes his second month on the job.
“Providing readers with relevant, timely local news and information is very important, and I enjoy being able to share the tales and news of the community with readers who may not know everything that is going on,†Forward said. “Our staff is dedicated to that mission and doing so in a professional, ethical and fair manner with a dose of common sense and community care.â€
The newest member of the Waverly Newspapers team is sports reporter Cole Negen, who began work in early January and nears the end of his first month on the job.
“I am extremely passionate about sports at all levels, and getting to go travel to different events and writing stories about them is a dream come true,†Negen said. “It’s also very rewarding to give athletes the recognition they deserve for their hard work and accomplishments.â€
We at the Waverly Newspapers hope you — our readers and subscribers — find the information we provide timely, relevant and accurate. We also hope it makes a difference in your life and helps strengthen our community and democracy.
Comments, questions or concerns — and if (we hope not) corrections are needed — please contact Managing Editor Jeff Forward at editor@waverlynewspapers.com or via telephone at (319) 352-3334.