Former RTD writer joins Dispatch staff

Published 12:25 pm Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Jamie C. Ruff, of Meherrin, has been hired as a reporter for the K-V Dispatch. Ruff is an experienced writer who worked at daily metro papers for 23 years, the last 19 and a half years at The Richmond Times-Dispatch.

“I enjoyed my time with the dailies, and with the RTD — but I’m optimistic that working at a community paper will be even more rewarding,” said Ruff.

“I went into journalism to learn, meet people and to give voice to those most in need of it. Working at a community paper also allows you to be more active in the community; I don’t mean covering it, I mean participating in it. I can work with groups and organizations. This is a first in my career, and it is a big deal to me. Journalism is still work. It always will be. But being able to be part of the community you live in, that’s special.”

Ruff, a Greensboro, N.C., native, attended North Carolina A&T State University and graduated in 1984. Only a few months after graduation, he began working full-time at the Reidsville Review as a governmental reporter. A couple of years past and Ruff moved on to working in Burlington, N.C., covering city government at a local newspaper before eventually taking a reporter’s position in Virginia with The Richmond Times-Dispatch.

“I am excited that Jamie has decided to become a member of our staff. He is a local writer that will contribute much to this community and newspaper,” said Dispatch Editor Hannah Davis. “Working with Jamie has been a pleasure thus far and I know he will represent our community well.”

Ruff is married to Tiffany Pratt, of Meherrin.

Ruff can be contacted at jamie.ruff@kvdispatch.com.