Staff

Jesse Heidel

Advertising Manager - Ad Design

Jesse Heidel started working at the North County News in August of 2015. Initially proofreading ads and articles, he would occasionally fill in for the previous ad manager. He has since taken over the position of advertising manager, beginning in February of 2017. Jesse resides in Red Bud and is the younger brother of Joel Heidel. In his free time, Jesse enjoys video gaming, watching anime and drawing. Email Jesse

Jana Kueker

Office Manager - Assistant Editor

Jana Kueker has been employed with the North County News for 34 years.

She is the paper’s assistant editor and office manager, but she also manages the subscriptions and billing. Jana orders wedding invitations and business cards and invites you to stop by and check out the selection.

Jana resides in Red Bud with her husband. They have two grown children. In her spare time, she enjoys golf, bowling and bunco.

Email Jana

Mary Koester

Managing Editor

Mary Koester is a Red Bud High School alum, having graduated from there in 2002. She went on to earn an associates degree from Southwestern Illinois College in 2004 and a photojournalism degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2006.

She became the editor of the North County News in 2008 after the retirement of long time editor Jane Lucht.

Mary resides in Red Bud with her husband and daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys obstacle course racing, running 5Ks/half marathons, hunting, fishing, gardening, crochet, cooking, helping out at her family’s farm, listening to music and curling up with a good book.

Mary is also very active in the community. She is currently a Girl Scout troop leader, a director for the Red Bud Chamber of Commerce, a director for the Southern Illinois Editorial Association, and a founding member of the Randolph County Community Foundation.

Email Mary

Joel Heidel

Classifieds - Composition

Joel Heidel graduated from Red Bud High School in 2012 and was one of the class valedictorians and winner of the John Philip Sousa Band Award.

He has done the classifieds and composition at the North County News since July 2013.

He currently resides in rural Red Bud. In his spare time, Joel enjoys playing video games and browsing the internet.

Email Joel