A 33-year veteran of daily newspapers has been named editor of the Mechanicsville Local.

Joy Monopoli, publisher of Richmond Suburban Newspapers, said Melody Kinser officially assumed the responsibilities on Monday.

Kinser comes to Mechanicsville from The Winchester Star, where she served as day city editor.

“I am so excited to become part of the Mechanicsville community and look forward to returning to writing,” she said. “I am so impressed with the emphasis on the people and events that make the Mechanicsville Local truly live up to its name.”

Kinser started her career in 1975 as a proofreader at her hometown newspaper, The Logan (W.Va.) Banner. Over the course of 16 years, she rose through the newsroom ranks, spending her last five years there as managing editor.

In 1991, Kinser accepted the news editor’s position at The Bluefield (W.Va.) Telegraph. She then did a brief stint in a cross-training program at The Wayne County (W.Va.) News in 1998.

She became editor of The Williamson (W.Va.) Daily in 1999 and held that position until 2002, when she returned to The Wayne County News as managing editor.

Kinser joined the staff of The Star in May, 2005 as night city editor and moved into the day position in November 2006.

She was a member of the 2005-2006 class of the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Program (now the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber).

Her professional background also includes writing for a country music publication, RealCountry, and the layout and design of a Marshall University Athletic Department publication, OverHerd.

As for community involvement, Kinser has served as a director on boards including the United Way, a county-operated ambulance and rescue service, a regional trail system that has helped revive the travel and tourism industry, a Main Street revitalization project, and a local theatre company.

“I believe in an open door policy and welcome readers to offer their ideas and suggestions,” she said.

Kinser can be reached at 804 746-1235.