Meet our staff

Karen Fioretti was named publisher/editor of The Star-Herald in April 2017. She has 35 years of newspaper experience in roles ranging from reporting, photography, and editing to production and technology. She is happy to be again working at a small-town newspaper after years in senior management of daily newspapers and newspaper groups. Her son, Sam, is a recent graduate of Hampshire College in Massachusetts, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Game Design and Development.

Jon Eric Burrell became the Marketing Consultant of The Star-Herald in August of 2020. He graduated from Holmes Community College with honors and a degree in Business Marketing and then went on to gain his Bachelor's in Business Marketing from Delta State University. He is a Holmes County native living in West, MS with his wife Gracee.

Jennifer McCaskill joined the staff of The Star-Herald in October 2013 as a graphic designer. She is an Attala County native. McCaskill was home educated from preschool through high school graduation. She is a Holmes Community College graduate (AA Degree) who also earned her bachelors degree in graphic design from Mississippi State University. She and her husband, Daniel (D.J.), live in the Hesterville community on a small farm with their daughter, Bea, as well as four dogs, three cats, two goats, a rabbit, six mini pigs, approximately 30 chickens and a guard-goose named Hector.

Trisha Oakes became the bookkeeper at The Star-Herald in November of 2019. She was born here in Kosciusko but moved to Huntsville, Alabama at the age of five. Trisha returned to Kosciusko in 1999. She and her husband Daniel “Danny” Oakes live in the Hesterville community where they enjoy spending time with family and traveling whenever they can.

After retiring from a 30-year teaching career, Beverly Casteel has been with the Star Herald since 2013. She holds an A.A. degree from Wood Junior College and B.S. and M.A. degrees from Mississippi State. She is married to David, and they have one son, Russell, who is married to Callie. Their grandson, Brown, is the light of their lives. The Casteels are active in First United Methodist Church and Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, in which they are both certified lay speakers. In her spare time, Beverly enjoys collecting antiques, dishes, and salt and pepper shakers, exploring antique malls, and reading.