Homer News Editor and Publisher Lori Evans has announced she is leaving the newspaper at the end of June to travel and spend time with extended family.

Morris Publishing Group, the owner of the Homer News, is now in the process of looking for a new editor.

“Lori has served in several key roles in the newsrooms in Alaska and been a champion for the role good journalism plays in the community,” said Deedie McKenzie, group publisher of Morris newspapers in Alaska.

Evans joined the staff of the Homer News in the fall of 2004. She came to the Homer News from the Peninsula Clarion, where she worked as executive editor for several years. She began her Alaska newspaper work at the Juneau Empire as a reporter before being named assistant editor there.

“I’m one of those blessed people who has enjoyed my work for more than four decades — most of those years have been with Morris newspapers in Alaska,” said Evans. “It’s been fun. It’s been challenging. It’s been rewarding. I’ve not only worked with some of the kindest, most talented people you’ll ever encounter, but I’ve also been able to live in some of the most beautiful places on the planet.

“I’ve got no regrets about my newspaper work, but it’s time to see if there’s life after deadline.”

Evans plans to return to Homer after a long road trip with her dog, Brutus.

McKenzie will serve as interim publisher.