About Us

The Manistee News Advocate is Manistee county’s leading source for local news, sports and events. Published Monday through Saturday, the News Advocate is enjoyed by over 5,500 subscribers. Regardless of your interests, the News Advocate has something for you.

The fact is, no other publication provides readers in Manistee county with more in depth coverage of what goes on right here at home. High school sports? We got them covered. Follow your favorite high school, college or professional team each day through the pages of the News Advocate. Select TV (TV Guide) and money saving coupons can be found in every week in our Saturday issue.

Meet the News Advocate team

	David L. Barber, Staff Writer David L. Barber began at the News Advocate in 2000. A veteran newspaper journalist with more than 35 years experience, his responsibilities include feature writing, covering cops and courts, and penning his weekly Back Talk column with staff writer Dylan Savela. Dave’s hometown is Reed City and he attended Ferris State College, before being hired as a news reporter for the Big Rapids Pioneer in 1976. His hobbies include building model kits, collecting Christmas music and collecting and reading books about World War II. Dave worked as Director of Grants and Information for the Reed City Area Public Schools for two years in the mid 1990s where he also served as yearbook advisor, before returning to the Pioneer in 1997. Over the years Dave has won three national feature writing awards and nine awards for feature writing in Michigan. He is married to Classified Manager Jeanne Barber.
	Ken Grabowski, Staff Writer Ken Grabowski began at the News Advocate as a freelance writer in 1980 and a few years later began his full-time career. After a brief time away in the 1990s, he returned in 2000. His beats Manistee Area Public Schools, Manistee Catholic Central, Bear Lake Schools, Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools, Onekama Consolidated Schools, CASMAN Academy and West Shore Community College. He also coordinates special sections. A graduate of Manistee High School and West Shore Community College where he earned an Associate of Arts degree, Ken’s hobbies include hiking, biking and reading. Over the years Ken has been recognized by the Michigan Press Association for his writing and photography.
	Dave Yarnell, Staff Writer Dave Yarnell began at the News Advocate in 2008. His current beats include Manistee County government, many of the county’s townships and villages, and a number of organizations, including the Manistee County Community Foundation, District Health Department #10, county libraries, agriculture, and more. Dave’s hometown is Napoleon, Ohio, and he attended Defiance College before completing bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Toledo. Dave enjoys outdoor activities, particularly taking camping trips with his wife Mary and their dog Macy. He’s also been involved with many Manistee organizations, including the Manistee Civic Players and the Ramsdell Theatre Restoration Project. Dave moved to the Manistee area in the mid-1980s to accept a public relations position at West Shore Community College, which he held for 17 years. For five years after that he was executive director of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce.
	Matt Wenzel, Sports Editor Matt Wenzel began at the News Advocate in 2006. As sports editor, Matt provides the leadership for the paper’s day-to-day coverage of all area high school sporting events, summer youth sports programs, and more. Matt’s hometown is Lansing and he is a graduate of Lansing Catholic Central High School. Matt earned a degree in journalism from Michigan State University and his primary hobby is playing golf. Matt has won multiple Michigan Press Association and Associated Press awards for sports writing.
	Dylan Savela, Sports Writer Dylan Savela began at the News Advocate in 2009. His beats include covering high school sporting events and penning a weekly column for the paper’s award-winning Back Talk feature. Dylan is a 2004 graduate of Manistee High School and 2008 graduate of Central Michigan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism (News Editorial). Dylan’s hobbies include reading, writing and music, primarily playing his guitar. In the past two years the Michigan Press Association has presented Dylan with a number of awards for his sports writing and photography.
	Jason Carrick – Media Consultant Jason Carrick joined the Manistee News Advocate team in 2006 as a new advertising representative. In 2005 Jason moved back to Michigan after spending the previous three years in Tennessee as a graphic designer/IT consultant at Holley’s Printing. Born in Gaylord, Michigan Jason decided to move to get closer to family. Here he met his wife Gretchen and decided to set down roots in Manistee. Jason attended school at the University of Missouri Rolla and Middle Tennessee State University where he studied Mechanical Engineering and came away with a degree in Graphic Design. With a background in graphic design, he is well acquainted with the technical side of advertising — creating and building ads that best address the wants and needs of his customers.
	Paula Laws, Media Consultant Paula joined the staff at the Manistee News Advocate 10 years ago as an advertising sales representative after moving back to the area. She is a graduate of Onekama High School and Western Michigan University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Art/Photography. Paula has been married to her College Sweetheart, Rod, for 18 years. They have 2 children- Haley, a sophomore in college and Tucker, a freshman in High School.