Roanoke Times Loses Superb Business Reporter Alicia Petska

Just got word that Alicia Petska, an outstanding business writer and guild president at The Roanoke Times, is the latest significant loss for TRT. She has taken a job with Roanoke College. A large number of Times reporters have taken PR jobs with established institutions in the region over the past few years. 

Recent losses include Kevin Myatt (weather reporter at a terrible time; he and his wife were also copy editors) and Robert Anderson, the superb high school sports reporter, just as football season began recently.

Petska is just about 40 years old and a graduate of one of the world's great journalism schools, the University of Missouri. Her business reporting was exemplified this past Sunday with a comprehensive story on technology developments in the region. 

I have been told that The Times is seeking to replace Petska, Anderson and its vacant school reporter position. No word on Myatt's position as the weather reporter--which he defined.