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Steve Gray takes over as Sylva Herald publisher
By Lynn Hotaling
 Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, grandmother and father, Sylva Herald President and CEO Steve Gray is now the newspaper’s publisher.
Former Publisher Jim Gray, who had held the title since his mother’s 1985 death, announced his son’s promotion last week.
“Steve has been in charge of The Herald’s day-to-day operations since August 2003, and he’s done a fine job,” Jim Gray said. “It’s time for him to have the title – he’s earned it.”
Jim Gray, who retired from managing the paper more than two years ago, remains The Herald’s vice president.
The Sylva Herald and Ruralite, which began in 1926 as The Ruralite, marked 80 years of continuous publication with its March 30 issue. Started by E.E. Brown, grandfather of current Herald Sports Editor Carey Phillips, The Ruralite’s first issue was dated April 27, 1926.
After Brown died in 1932, his widow, Attie Brown, published the paper until 1943, when she sold it to Curtis Russ and Marion Bridges of Waynesville, who changed the newspaper’s name to The Sylva Herald and Ruralite. J.A. Gray, father of Jim Gray, and a partner, J.M. Bird, bought the paper in 1945; J.A. Gray bought Bird out in 1950 and became sole publisher, a post he held until his 1963 death. His widow, Eliza Gray, took over as publisher and continued in that position until she died.
The Grays operated their newspaper out of the old Lyric Theater (the former Merriweather’s and present Main Street Sports Bar & Grill) until 1950, when it moved into its present location. Jim Gray purchased the adjacent McGuire Building in 1997, and the Herald operation expanded that same year to fill both structures.
The Herald’s current paid circulation is 7,200; an online edition, which can be found at www.thesylvaherald.com, was started in November 2000. The newspaper plans to launch a new full-color magazine, “Across the Mountains,” in late June.
“I’m honored by the trust Dad has placed in me,” said Steve Gray. “My goal is to maintain the tradition of excellent community journalism that my grandparents and father practiced during their distinguished careers.”
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