After a lengthy search, the Fennimore Times has a new editor who is enthusiastic about covering the City on the Move.
Robert Callahan, a Lancaster native, began his full-time duties as of Monday. Callahan is no stranger to the area. A 1998 graduate of Lancaster High School, he went on to attend UW-Platteville, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Technologies Management with a journalism emphasis.
While at UW-Platteville he worked for men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan’s national championship team, working as a team manager for the 1998-99 and 1999-00 teams.
“Working for coach Ryan and the Pioneers was a great experience,” Callahan said. “I learned a lot about basketball just watching coach and the team each day in practice.”
Following graduation, Callahan worked as a part-time on-air personality and board operator at Queen B Radio in Platteville until 2004, while also serving on the Lancaster School Board. He then worked as a general assignment reporter for the Boscobel Dial until June 2007 before taking a reporter position with the Jackson County Chronicle in Black River Falls.
He returned to the tri-state area in 2008 and has since worked as a part-time sports clerk at the Dubuque Telegraph Herald and as the editor of Material Handling Wholesaler magazine.
Callahan is excited about the opportunity to move back to southwest Wisconsin.
“I look forward to meeting the great people of Fennimore and telling their stories,” he said. “I can’t think of a better place to continue my career than ‘the City on the Move.’”
Callahan has ties to Fennimore as his grandfather, William Rubin, owned and operated Rubin’s Market on Lincoln Avenue during his childhood.
“My brother and I ate our fair share of candy bars throughout the years at grandpa’s store,” he said. “I hope grandpa still made some profit at the end of the day.”
Callahan and his wife, Breanna, were also married in St. Peter Lutheran Church five years ago.
“Once Breanna is able to find a job back here, we will look for a home in Fennimore or the surrounding area,” Callahan said.
They currently reside in Dubuque.
As for hobbies, Callahan enjoys collecting baseball and football cards as well as autographs. During his interception-plagued 1994 season, Brett Favre returned a letter from Callahan with an autographed Green Bay Packers letterhead.
He has also met professional wrestlers John Cena Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Bret Hart, Bobby Heenan, King Kong Bundy and Road Warrior Animal, to name a few.
“If you have a collection, don’t hesitate to come by the office and let me know,” Callahan said. “Collectors have some great stories.”
Callahan takes over for Interim Editor Shannon Mumm, who has been filling in since former editor Correne Martin’s departure Jan. 1.