Former Times editor Marcus Hibdon is replaced by veteran
reporter Sheila Sanchez
Morgan Hill – Award-winning veteran journalist Sheila Sanchez is the new editor of the Morgan Hill Times.
Sanchez joined the Times staff Monday after working for two weeks as the city editor of the Hollister Free Lance.
She replaced Marcus Hibdon, who served as editor of the paper for nine months. He’s now the editor of the Free Lance.
“Sheila’s passion for community journalism was a deciding factor in asking her to join our team in Morgan Hill,” Publisher Steve Staloch said. “While we’ll continue to pursue hard news, readers will see the scales tip slightly as we devote more space to coverage of Morgan Hill lifestyles, schools, clubs and organizations.”
Sanchez, who earned her journalism degree from Brigham Young University, began her reporting career in Los Angeles at La Opinion, the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the United States. After covering immigration, education and politics for La Opinion, she moved to Utah where she worked for all its daily newspapers, including The Daily Herald, where she worked as a reporter for eight years.
During the past five years, Sanchez worked as an editor for Silicon Valley Community Newspapers and Times Media as well as a freelance writer for San Jose Magazine, Metro and the Gilroy Dispatch.
“I’m excited to work for South Valley Newspapers. I like the editorial content of all the papers, especially the Times,” Sanchez said. “Although it will take me a few months to get to know the community, the transition should be smooth as the Times has a very capable staff.”
The opportunity to work with and reach the Hispanic community in South County and other goals and projects South Valley Newspapers is involved with appealed to Sanchez “in a big way,” she said.
“My three goals will be reader relevance, writing excellence, accuracy and balance,” said Sanchez. “I’ll draw on all the contributions all of my former editors invested in me. I’m a product of the newsroom classroom, where young reporters learn the ropes from kind and patient editors who mentor by setting an example.”
She added: “Marcus left a nice paper in my hands, a paper that’s highly regarded in the community. I will work hard to continue building where Marcus left off. He did a good job in Morgan Hill.”
Hibdon, who came to The Times as editor in June 2005, said he enjoyed his brief tenure as Times editor.
“More than anything, I enjoyed the people that I met in Morgan Hill,” he said Thursday. “From the very first day that I took over, there was a steady stream of support, of people welcoming me, unlike anywhere I’ve ever been before.”
As editor, Hibdon said he had a great opportunity to learn about the city.
“I also really enjoyed covering the issues,” he said. “Morgan Hill as a city has some significant challenges ahead, but as a whole, its residents enjoy a quality of life that is unparalleled.”
Staloch said Hibdon was an obvious option when the position at the Hollister Free Lance became available.
“Marcus moved quickly through the editorial chairs, and when the Hollister position became an option, he was our first choice.”
Sanchez has won journalism awards for investigative reporting, spot news, news series and freedom of information. She has also earned awards for her coverage of social issues, including issues affecting low-income women.
Sanchez has been married for 17 years and has three children. She’s also a runner who has completed four marathons. Last October, she crossed the finish line of the Silicon Valley Marathon. She’s now training again for the San Diego Marathon in June.
Hibdon said he feels confident in turning over the editorial desk to Sanchez.
“The addition of Sheila Sanchez will bring a different perspective to The Times,” he said. “I am more than comfortable leaving the paper in her hands as I continue to pursue my career.”
