'Yakima Herald-Republic' Publisher Shepard Moving to 'The Seattle Times'

By: Yakima Herald-Republic Publisher Michael Shepard is leaving the newspaper in June to become vice president of business operations for The Seattle Times, the Herald-Republic's parent company.

Shepard announced the change in an e-mail to the newspaper's staff Thursday. He has been publisher of the Yakima paper since 2003.

While Shepard was publisher, the newspaper launched several publications, including Yakima magazine, El Sol de Yakima and Yakima Valley Bride. Revenue from those products and expansion of the paper's commercial printing business has helped the Herald-Republic remain profitable despite circulation declines.