The Mineral County Independent-News recently hired Stephen Tool, from La Grande, Ore. as a general assignment reporter. Tool attended both

Stephen Tool

The Mineral County Independent-News recently hired Stephen Tool, from La Grande, Ore. as a general assignment reporter. Tool attended both Rogue Community College in Medford, Ore. and received his journalism degree from Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Ore.

Tool has spent most of his life in rural areas both on the Oregon coast, eastern Oregon and about a year cowboying in northern Nevada. He is also an honorably discharged U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate, serving from 1979-1985.

“We’re excited to have Stephen on board with the Mineral County Independent-News,” said Kirk Kern, chief operating officer of Battle Born Media. “He has a strong familiarity with rural Nevada and a military background. He will fit in well with this community.”

Tool’s parents retired to Pahrump, so he’s familiar with Hawthorne and likes all the possibilities and recreational opportunities the area affords.

Tool looks forward to meeting with and writing about the people of Mineral county and getting to know the area. He knows a lot of stories are waiting.