Kevin Howell has been promoted to the community editor of the Morning Journal, The Review and Salem News, Publisher Tammie McIntosh announced.

Howell has been serving as news editor, a capacity in which he has served since March 2023. He replaces the previous executive editor J.D. Creer, who retired March 27.

“I look forward to working with Kevin in his new role,” McIntosh said. “He has the knowledge and experience coupled with the vision to lead the newsroom.”

His duties include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the newsroom, assigning stories to reporters, planning and collaborating with the editorial staff to produce original local content as well as fostering relationships within our local communities.

Howell is a native of North Benton and a graduate of West Branch High School. He holds a degree in public relations from Kent State University.

His journalism career began in December of 2007 as a staff writer with the Salem News. Over the ensuing years, he has risen through the editorial staff, taking responsibility for coverage of community meetings, overseeing page design and supervising local news assignments. He has covered the communities along the Mahoning and Columbiana counties line.

“I am a lifelong member of the Columbiana County area and I am honored to help share our local news with my fellow residents,” Howell said. “I welcome the challenge of leading our newspapers into the digital age while maintaining the hands on experience that our print subscribers still expect. Our focus will, as always, remain on the most accurate and informative local news coverage we can provide, both in print and online.”

Howell currently resides in Knox Township.