Wicklund named managing editor of Kenosha News

Pete Wicklund has joined Kenosha News as its managing editor.

Wicklund replaces Bob Heisse, who has taken a new role as executive editor of Lee Enterprises’ River Valley Media Group.

Previously, Wicklund has held several roles with the Racine Journal Times for the past 21 years, starting in the newspaper’s Burlington Bureau. He has also worked as a police reporter, copy editor, local government reporter, columnist and photographer.

For the past 4 years, he has served as the newspaper’s assistant managing editor.

Additionally, Wicklund has also worked at newspapers in Kansas, Illinois and Wisconsin, and has served as an editor at the Burlington Standard Press, the West Allis Star and Wauwatosa News Times, and the Libertyville, Mundelein and Vernon Hills Reviews.

Marc Chase, Midwest regional editor for Lee Enterprises, said:

“Pete is a veteran newsman of the most dogged order. He has served our operations in Racine for 21 years, reporting in nearly every hard news beat and serving as an adept and dependable manager.

“Solid local journalism always starts with solid local public safety reporting. In addition to his past experience reporting police, fire and courts, Pete also has served as a volunteer fireman in Burlington and Somers.”

“It is an exciting time to be here,” Wicklund added. “The Kenosha News has been my daily source of news for all that is going on in our community for many years.”

Wicklund and his wife, Susan, are part of the ownership group of the Washington Island Observer newspaper, located on the iconic Door County island.