The Gasconade County Republican’s owners are excited to announce that it will be expanding its coverage to become a county-wide newspaper.

For years, the Gasconade County Republican has been an award-winning newspaper through the Missouri Press Association for its coverage of local news in the Owensville, Rosebud and Gerald areas. “This move is long over due,” said Jacob Warden, creative manager for Warden Publishing Company. “The move will allow us to foster stronger ties, giving us a deeper understanding of concerns, aspirations and interests in the communities in Gasconade County.”

Like any business expansion, bringing this vision to life takes resources, including new staff. The Republican has hired Gunnar Krull and Josh Dodorico, to cover the Hermann area.

Krull, a native of Hermann, is the son of Gregory and Candice Krull. He is a 2017 Hermann High School alumni, and attended Lindenwood University in St. Charles for four years in pursuit of a history degree.

“I love writing,” said Krull, who wrote previously for the Hermann Advertiser-Courier. “I love being a newspaperman. Having done some news stuff at The Lake Sun for a year and the Eldon Advertiser, I know sports is really where I found my passion.”

Krull attended the Oct. 27 football game and the Oct. 28 volleyball game over the weekend.

Dodorico moved to the area with his family around 2012.

“I live in the Hermann area, am a member of the local Lion’s Club, and my children have all attended or are attending the Gasconade County R-1 School District,” Dodorico said.

Dodorico, who will be assisting local businesses will their advertising needs, lives in the Hermann community with his wife, Angela, and the couple’s four children.

“I am personally excited about partaking in this new career because it allows me to fulfill a passion in fulfilling other people’s needs,” Dodorico said. “I have a lot of empathy in my character. In this, I am finding a way to show my caring side and be able to look ahead for the year, see where the customer can make their advertising dollar stretch the farthest, and have a seamless product. I have found a lot of happiness in the intricacies of the collaboration.”

Dodorico, who is a former millwright, said he received his introduction into sales in the hands of his family’s business.

“As a child, my family had a forklift business and my dad was in charge of the sales,” he said. “I would go with my dad selling product/warranty/repairs for AB Lift Truck (now WOLTER) and watch how he would maintain relations through honesty and upright relationships. At a young age I was able to witness what it looks like to have a good relationship with the customer. I am not a sales man, I am here to find out what is best and works best for you as the customer.”

Buck Collier, a friendly and familiar face who has represented newspapers in the community for several years, will continue on as a Gasconade County Republican staff writer. Collier plans to continue covering local city and county government and general news including the hospital district.

January of 2024 will mark 50 years for Collier in community newspapering. His career includes prior reporting stints for the Hermann Advertiser-Courier, the New Haven Leader, the Franklin County Tribune, and the Union Missourian. Earlier in his career he was managing editor for six Suburban Journal publications in the St. Louis region. He was an editor at the Daily Statesman in Dexter, Mo., and reported for the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He also wrote for the Missouri Times based in Jefferson City.

At the end of the day, Warden says The Republican’s vision is clear.

“We want to provide Hermann and its surrounding communities with unparalleled news coverage and exceptional advertising opportunities,” Warden said. “To do this, we have recruited a team of professionals who are passionate about their careers. Each professional is ardent about delivering high-quality news and advertising to the community that embodies The Republican’s values of integrity, interest, and impact.”