Local-media veteran Jason Sandford, aka blogger Ashvegas, to join Mountain Xpress

Jason Sandford, a long-time Asheville resident and veteran journalist, has announced that he will begin working for the Mountain Xpress. The news came via a post on his blog, Ashvegas, this afternoon.

Sandford has just completed a 15-year run as a reporter and editor at the Asheville Citizen-Times, where he was multimedia editor until resigning earlier this week. Before that he worked for several newspapers in the United States and Europe, and earned a degree from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

At the Xpress, Sandford will coordinate the newspaper’s ongoing efforts to enhance our Web site with up-to-date, in-depth, multimedia content. He’ll also help expand the work of the Fund for Investigative Reporting and Editing, a nonprofit that supports community-journalism efforts.

“I had a great run at the Citizen-Times and have many friends there. I’ll miss them,” Sandford said on his blog, which was voted the best in the region in Xpress’ most recent Best of WNC poll. “It was just time for me to move on, and Mountain Xpress offered me a great opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.”

For more details about Sandford’s career in journalism and his plans for the future, along with the reaction of some of his former colleagues, see his announcement here.

— Jon Elliston, managing editor

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About Jon Elliston
Former Mountain Xpress managing editor Jon Elliston is the senior editor at WNC magazine.

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13 thoughts on “Local-media veteran Jason Sandford, aka blogger Ashvegas, to join Mountain Xpress

  1. ncain

    This seems like a smart move for both Sanford and the Mountain Xpress. I read both Ashvegas and the MX before I look at the Citizen-Times for news from home, and I can certainly see where not working for a daily newspaper anymore (especially a Gannett owned one) would be an incredible relief.

  2. dang, what a schlub i am. let’s work on getting me one helluva photoshopped Glamour Shot, kay Jon?

    meantime, i can’t wait to meet all my new colleagues and get down to work. Mountain Xpress has been on an upward trajectory for some time. i want in on the action.

  3. Gordon Smith

    Congratulations Jason and Mountain Xpress. I’ll copy over a comment I left at ScruHoo:

    Jason Sandford blogs over at Ashvegas and really has his finger on the pulse of the whatnot.

    “Mtn. X has been making good moves in tapping the talent of the local blogging community, and this partnership will likely allow Jason to flex his initiative and creativity outside the confines of the Gannett Death Star. I think it’s going to up Mtn. X’s ante and free Jason’s game up.”

    Viva Ashvegas!

  4. zen

    Jason is the hardest-workin’, google searchin’ committed Ashevegasin guy i know! Mx is getting a great deal and so is Jason!

  5. I hope you at least got a parking spot out of the deal or maybe Alli Marshal will give you some better fashion tips, cause your ESPN hat and the 1986 Bele Chere shirt should be left at the Times.

  6. chall gray

    Hey…ESPN hats should be back by the end of this decade at the latest…

    …I’d be wearing one now if I weren’t afraid of the pychosocial repercussions on my interpersonal skills were I to contain my unruly shock.

  7. Paul Johnson

    Jason
    Best of luck in the new “gig.” I know the C-T will miss you, but this looks like a good opportunity. Drop me a line so we can stay in touch.
    Paul

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