Our Team


Andrea Horton
Publisher
250-832-2131
I began my career in the newspaper industry in 2007 as a reporter with The Free Press in Fernie, B.C. After taking a brief hiatus, I returned to The Free Press in 2012 after it was purchased by Black Press Media to work as a sales consultant. It wasn't long until I was promoted to the position of publisher in 2013. In 2017, my family and I relocated to Salmon Arm, where I continued to work with Black Press Media as the publisher of the Salmon Arm Observer, Shuswap Market News, and Eagle Valley News in 2019. I thoroughly enjoy being involved in community events and you will often see me around taking photos with my camera. When I'm not working, I love taking my puppies for walks by the lake and enjoying the longer Shuswap summer days with my husband and two sons.

Jen Zielinski (She/Her)
Bureau Chief of B.C. Interior South Division
250-979-7306
I graduated from the broadcast journalism program at BCIT. I also hold a bachelor of arts degree in political science and sociology from Thompson Rivers University. Before joining my current position, I was the senior video journalist for Castanet News, based in Kelowna. I'm extremely passionate about online journalism and I enjoy volunteering with local organizations, such as the BC SPCA.

Lachlan Labere
I'm the editor of the Salmon Arm Observer, Shuswap Market, and Eagle Valley News. My journey with Black Press Media started back in 2004 when I worked as a reporter for the 100 Mile House Free Press. The next year, I moved to the Shuswap and joined the team at the Observer, where I've been ever since. As an editor, I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to keep our readers informed and engaged. I love photographing community events and have won numerous newspaper photography awards for my work. Outside of work, I'm an avid outdoor enthusiast and make frequent use of the area's recreational opportunities hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Rebecca Willson (She/Her)
Multimedia Journalist
250-832-2131 Ext9217
I took my first step into the journalism industry in November 2022 when I moved to Salmon Arm to work for the Observer and Eagle Valley News. I graduated with a journalism degree in December 2021 from MacEwan University in Edmonton. I love reading and writing, and upon seeing a poster for the journalism program at my school, I knew that was the right fit for me. I also enjoy hiking and snuggling my cat, T’Challa (I am also a Marvel movie fan!).

Laura Lavigne
Multimedia Marketing Specialist
I moved to Silver Creek from Ontario in 1997 with my family. In 2004, I started my journey at the Salmon Arm Observer as the Circulation Manager and later transitioned into Advertising Sales two years later. I find joy in working with a diverse group of clients and helping them with their business needs. Over the past 16 years, I've seen a lot of changes in the advertising world, with many new options becoming available to clients. Despite these changes, I find that every day is different, which keeps the job interesting and exciting. I am a Nana to 15 grandchildren and love baking and spending time with my family.

Melissa Ramstad
Admin Co-ordinator / Circulation Manager
I have lived in the Salmon Arm area most of my life. I love to spend time camping, exploring, and enjoying what the Shuswap has to offer with my husband, two children, and our dog, Annie. I started with the Observer in January 2022 and have fast become an important part of the daily operations, including managing the front desk, the Amazon depot, and circulation for the Salmon Arm Observer, Shuswap Market News, Eagle Valley News, Golden Star, and Revelstoke Review.