Bill Bartleman reported for The Paducah Sun from 1972 to 2010; he was a chief reporter and columnist on government and politics for 35 years. He helped direct paper’s coverage and chronicled West Kentucky’s gradual, historic shift away from Democratic roots. He attended most sessions of the Kentucky General Assembly, covering both regional and state politicians. Helped the rest of the state understand relatively isolated West Kentucky through his writing and television appearances. He demonstrated unswerving dedication to the public interest. He is a native of Chalfont, Pa., and a 1971 journalism graduate of Murray State University. He taught journalism and advised student newspaper at MSU, 1981-1985. He became director of community relations for Mid-Continent University in 2010. He is the winner of the Lewis Owens Community Service Award from the Kentucky Press Association in 2011.