The North Jefferson News has had a staff change in recent days.

On March 22, Melanie Patterson became the newspaper’s new editor, followed by reporter Ben Montgomery joining the staff on Monday.

Patterson has worked at the North Jefferson News since June 2006 as a reporter. She moved to the editor’s position after former editor Adam Smith accepted a job as the news editor at the Times-Georgian in Carrolton, Ga.

Patterson has worked in the news business for 14 years, including serving seven years as a military journalist for the U.S. Army Reserve.

Montgomery graduated from the University of North Alabama in 2009 with a degree in communication arts, journalism option. He has interned and freelanced at various newspapers in Guntersville, Decatur and Cullman.

Reach Patterson at newsroom@njeffersonnews.com, reach Montgomery at reporter@njeffersonnews.com, or call the NJN at 631-8716.