The Star-News is pleased to announce that Blake Bell has joined its newsroom staff.

Bell, a Mobile native, makes his way to Andalusia from The Atmore Advance, where he served as news editor for the last two years.

“Blake is a great addition to The Star-News staff,” said Stephanie Nelson, Star-News news editor. “With his time at daily and weekly newspapers, Blake brings years of valuable experience to the newsroom.

“During his time in Atmore, Blake covered everything from breaking news to sports and understands that the community is the heart of a ‘community newspaper,’” she said. “We are thrilled to have him on staff.”

Bell, who studied journalism at both the University of Missouri and the University of Alabama, said, “I’m very excited to join the staff here at The Star-News. I love community journalism and am looking forward to getting know the people that make up the communities in the Andalusia area.”

Bell and his wife, Stephanie, have a 4-year-old daughter, Sawyer, and son on the way.