New editor/publisher named at the Fairmont Sentinel
Brooke Wohlrabe, a Fairmont native, has been named editor and publisher of the Fairmont Sentinel. The Sentinel is a sister publication to the Faribault County Register, as both are owned by Ogden Newspapers, Inc.
Wohlrabe, 31, began her duties Feb. 6. She is a 2011 Fairmont High School graduate. She went to the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism. She started working at the Sentinel in 2017 as a news reporter.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the Sentinel in such a large role. I think it’s so special that the Sentinel is one of just a handful of daily newspapers left in the state of Minnesota. What’s more is that this year the Sentinel is celebrating 150 years of having a presence in Martin County. To think of all of the history that’s been preserved in its pages over the years is amazing,” Wohlrabe said.
Michael Christman of Ogden Newspapers Inc., and regional publisher for the Fairmont Sentinel, said that Wohlrabe will be a great fit for leading the Fairmont Sentinel publication.
“As a lifelong resident of Fairmont, Brooke understands the issues that are most important to the community, and can work with the leaders to help address those matters,” Christman said. “She was the clear choice to lead the Fairmont Sentinel.”
Wohlrabe will continue to cover meetings and events as that’s where her real passion lies, but she will also oversee the newsroom and advertising department and is looking forward to forming closer relationships with both readers and advertisers.
“Having a trusted news source in the community is always going to be important. The fact that we have trained journalists with a physical presence at our local events and government meetings is essential, especially in this age where misinformation has a tendency to circulate through social media,” Wohlrabe said.
She is eager to work with staff to cover more of the important happenings in Martin County and to assist advertisers in the same coverage area.
Wohlrabe replaces former publisher, Gary Andersen, who retired from the Sentinel after more than 30 years.