Veteran journalist Don Wallace was recently named managing editor of the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram.
Wallace served as sports editor of the News-Telegram from 2008-2019, covering many local events, highlighted by the state football championship run by the Sulphur Springs Wildcats.
Wallace is native of Cherokee County and is a graduate of Rusk High School and attended Angelina College and Stephen F. Austin State University. He started his career at the Jacksonville Daily Progress in 1978 as a reporter/photographer and advanced to the position of sports editor.
He also has worked at publications in Frankston, Rusk, Bullard, Athens and Greenville in different capacities. He has contributed articles to national magazines and The Associated Press.
Wallace has been given awards for his articles from national publications and the Texas Sports Writers Association.
"I have enjoyed living in Sulphur Springs and I look forward to making a positive contribution at the newspaper. I appreciate the chance to be a leader and mentor in the business I have been in most of my life. People here have treated me well. I am very grateful to Dave Shabaz, Sulphur Springs News-Telegram publisher for this opportunity," Wallace said.
"Covering the state playoffs was a lot of fun for me. I know this area has many more noteworthy events that I now get to cover," Wallace said. "I look forward to meeting more people in the community and sharing their stories with our readers. This is a wonderful part of Texas and I really like the people, I'm blessed to be working here."
"Don has some really big shoes to fill, but I feel so lucky to have someone come back to the paper with not only a wealth of knowledge about the newspaper business, but someone who in his time here at The News-Telegram, basically became a local icon as the former sports editor,” said Editor and Publisher Dave Shabaz. “Don is well-liked and very well-respected here in Hopkins County and I'm proud to have him as our Managing Editor."
Wallace lives in Sulphur Springs with his wife, Dana; daughter, Deidra. His son, Dustin, wife, Rachel and grandson, Bentley, live in Royse City.