Elisha Meyer has been named the new reporter for the Port Orchard Independent, replacing longtime editor Robert Smith, who is retiring.

At the same time, Steve Powell, editor of the Bainbridge Island Review, North Kitsap Herald and Kingston Community News, is now going to also be the editor of the Independent, along with the Central Kitsap Reporter, which like Kingston comes out monthly. The other three papers are published weekly.

Meyer will also do some reporting for the Reporter.

“I know Port Orchard is going to miss Bob. He was an important part of the community for seven years,” Powell said. “But I’m very excited about what Eli brings to the table. He’s hit the ground running, and has already done some good stuff for us.”

Meyer comes to the Kitsap papers after just graduating from Concordia University in Seward, Neb. His degree is in journalism-public relations.

He was managing editor of the college newspaper, where he ran the newsroom, edited stories and designed the paper. Prior to that he was the sports editor, where he led that staff, along with writing stories and features.

He also was a broadcasting intern doing play by play for local high school events.

Meyer’s wife, Aimee, got a job teaching at a private school in Bremerton.