Local news expert wants your stories

Mary Layton wants your news.

Layton joined the Southern Illinois Local Media Group this week as a community news coordinator. She is on the lookout for local events, activities and news that you'd like to see in print from Marion, Harrisburg, Benton, Eldorado, Du Quoin and towns and townships throughout southern Illinois.

"No event is too small," she said.

"When you think news, think of me," Layton said. "If it's going to go in the paper and be maybe an inch tall, think of me."

She is a newspaper veteran, working in the business in southern Illinois since 1999 and elsewhere before that.

"I like being the go-to person for people's celebrations, for events that will make a difference in their lives," she said. "I think a spaghetti benefit is one of the most important things you could possibly put in the paper, because it might raise $3,000 for someone trying to get to St. Louis three times a week."

Send your news and photos to Layton at comments@localsouthernnews.com.

"I think small, local newspapers are community scrapbooks," she said. "And there will always be a place for local newspapers for that reason."