Sports editor Chris McCarthy is leaving the Cherokee County Herald to become the managing editor at The Messenger newspaper in Gadsden.

McCarthy, who lives in Rainbow City, said he is excited about starting a sports section at the newspaper, which recently converted from tabloid to broadsheet.

McCarthy, a native of East Islip, N.Y., has worked at the Herald for the past seven years, where he has covered high school sports.

“I’ve always wanted a job that touches people’s lives in a positive way, and covering high school sports in Cherokee County certainly has fulfilled that desire,” said McCarthy. “It’s hard to believe that it’s been seven years since I arrived in Centre. I’ve made a lot of friends and shared some special moments along the way. I’ll miss everyone at the Herald and throughout Cedar Bluff, Centre, Gaylesville, Sand Rock and Spring Garden. I’d like to thank all the coaches, teachers, administrators, parents and especially, students who over the last several years have lent me a hand in some form or another and made me look forward to coming to work every day.”

Herald editor Kathy Roe said McCarthy has been a vital part of the newspaper’s community coverage with his reporting on high school sports.

“Chris understands how important sports are to a community, but he never loses sight of the fact that the win or the loss isn’t as important as the fact that these kids went out there and tried their best,” Roe said