The Wood County Monitor has been purchased by James Taylor.
Taylor took over operations on May 1, though he has been working at the Monitor and in Wood County since August 2025.
Taylor will serve as publisher, while longtime writer and photographer Carley Tucker of Quitman will be the editor. Tucker is the daughter of longtime professional journalist Larry Tucker, also of Quitman.
For 27 years, Taylor has worked in small-town, Texas community journalism, starting his career as a transcriber and sports writer at the Bandera Review in Bandera, Texas. Between the Review and the Bandera Bulletin, he worked for 16 years in Bandera before moving to Goldthwaite, Texas, to lead the Goldthwaite Eagle for the past 11 years. He has won almost every category of award in Texas journalism, including multiple sweepstakes (all-around) awards and Photographer of the Year.
“I’m excited to continue the tradition of quality, engaging community journalism that Phil and Lesa [Major] have set the standard for here at the Monitor,” Taylor said. “Their shoes are big ones to fill. You couldn’t ask for more kind or capable people to learn from and work alongside in the mission of good journalism and community service. Thank you, Phil and Lesa, for your fellowship, guidance, and support throughout. Owning the Monitor is the opportunity of a lifetime for someone who loves Texas, loves people, and loves telling their stories.”
Wood County is the largest market Taylor has served in his career.
“I grew up in Tarpley, Texas, with a population of 12,” Taylor said. “You could throw a rock from one city limits sign and hit the other.”
Even as a young child, Taylor dreamed of being a community newsman. At age 4, he would cut out and paste together photos and text from his mother’s magazines onto pages of paper, and draw “The Tarpley Times” in marker at the top. He then walked around the tiny town each week selling copies of his “newspaper” to friendly neighbors.
“I couldn’t be more blessed than to be serving in Wood County,” Taylor said. “I thank God for the opportunity to be here and to strive to help people and help the community through the newspaper.”
The Monitor team includes Taylor, Tucker, Office Manager Debbie Phillips, and Designer Katy Mirtz-Myers; writer-photographers John Arbter, Brynna Williamson, and Justin Kruse; distribution specialists Kim Matthews and Jim Parker; and others behind the scenes who contribute in countless ways.
“Taking ownership of a newspaper is no small undertaking, but between the Majors’ help and this team of amazing people, it’s felt like blessing after blessing,” Taylor said. “I also have to recognize Austin Lewter, my longtime friend, who now serves as the director of the Texas Center for Community Journalism. We grew up in this industry together, and he has been an invaluable help in this process.”
Taylor said readers and advertisers can continue to expect solid community journalism and great results for their advertising dollars in the Monitor.
“This newspaper has been doing good work for the community for many years,” Taylor said. “My goal is to give the community more of the good stuff: more good news coverage, more good stories, and more good readers for advertisers to connect with.”
Taylor can be reached at publisher@wood.cm or at the Monitor office at 715 Mimosa St. in Mineola, 903-569-2442.