Journalist Almada heads DA's PIO office

 

“I'm excited to be working at the District Attorney's Office with a group of people whom I respect and who work hard for the community,” said former Times staff writer Laurel Almada of her post as the public information officer for the office of Webb County District Attorney Joe Rubio. Almada reports that being on the other side of a story has taken a little getting used to. “I enjoyed writing about the courts while I was at the paper. I'm still in the courts following cases. I always found it fascinating to see how the courts and legal proceedings work,” she said. “I learned so much as a writer, but now I get to learn a lot about how cases are put together, how everyone works to maintain the integrity of an investigation as a case is being tried, how important it is to release information in a measured way.”

Alamda said she likes the challenges of the job, which includes preparing for special events, presentations, and awards. “Our anti-drug efforts in schools and acknowledging students who are achievers keep us pretty busy. The DA's office is involved across the community in anti-drug and anti-violence coalitions,” Almada said.

Almada, a native of Pittsburgh , replaces Tom Sanchez, who is now with the Webb County Sheriff's Department.

Almada graduated Magna Cum Laude from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Science. Almada served as a U.S. Army intelligence analyst in Germany , Bosnia , Atlanta , and Kuwait .

“We're very fortunate to have Laurel come on board,” said District Attorney Rubio. “She's very knowledgeable about the judicial system, and this will make it easier for the District Attorney's Office to keep the public informed.”

Hats off to Mike Hall and the Laredo Morning Times Business Journal for good writing, great focus, and informative stories.

If you haven't seen the Spring 2005 issue of La Fe , which is a commemorative issue of the life of Pope John Paul II, find a copy. Besides the beautiful color photos, there are two very nice pieces of writing, one by editor Goyo Lopez and the other by Msgr. Stanley Sliwak, vicar general for the Diocese of Laredo.