The Union Daily Times is proud to introduce to our readers the two newest members of our staff.

Chris Rasmussen, who moved to Lexington from Scottsdale, Ariz. in 2005, is our new sports editor. He has worked for the Associated Press as a sports writer. During his stint with the AP, Rasmussen covered high school, college and professional sporting events. He graduated in 1994 from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism.

Before coming to work for the Union Daily Times as the paper's sports editor, Rasmussen, was a reporter for the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson. He has also been the editor of two weekly newspapers in Scottsdale, Ariz.

While Rasmussen is a transplant to Union County ans South Carolina, his family has long ties with the city of Union and is the nephew of George Long, whose grandfather was John D. Long.

An avid mountain biker and hiker, he is married to Danielle Rasmussen.

Nathan Christophel is an Iowa native who moved to South Carolina two months ago. He currently lives in Ninety Six but is looking forward to getting to know not only Union County but also its people and communities and all their stories. Christophel has eight years of experience in the newspaper industry and as The Union Daily Times’ newest staff writer he will report on a variety of topics from city government to feature stories.

The 31-year-old is the oldest of five children, has six neices and nephews and a 1-year-old dachshund named Laci. He is acclamating to southern living well, allowing his grandparents who have lived in the Ninety Six area more than 20 years show him the ropes. Christophel is excited to be at The Daily Times and looks forward to serving Union County.

“The best part of South Carolina, so far, has been the weather,” he said, adding by this time of year in Iowa temperatures would probably be hovering around the 60-degree mark or lower through most of October with the threat of the season’s first snowfall looming in another month. “But weather aside, I am really looking forward to meeting the people of Union County and becoming a part of this great community. I hope I can bring something new and fresh to The Daily Times in my writing and want to extend a big ‘Hello’ to everyone in the county.”

You can reach Christophel with any and all of your story ideas by calling 427-1234 ext. 18 or emailing him at nchristophel@uniondailytimes.com.

Staff writer Charles L. Warner is serving as acting editor.

Publisher Ty Ransdell welcomed the new members of the Union Daily Times staff.

“We’re excited to have them onboard and add their journalism expertise to Union County’s oldest newspaper,” Ransdell said.