California paper taps former editor of Harford section

Mike Townsend, the former managing editor of the Rockford (Ill.) Register Star, has been named editor of the Marin Independent Journal in San Rafael, Calif.

Mr. Townsend was editor of the Harford section of The Baltimore Sun from 1983 to 1988. Before that, he was the editor of the Carroll County Times.

"Every step of my career has been grounded in local news," said Mr. Townsend, 41, in an article published in the Independent Journal on Friday.

"That's where my interest and skills reside. That's where the readers of this newspaper can expect the staff and me to place emphasis," Mr. Townsend said.