From left: Scott Flowers, Cindy Eubank, Feather Andrusick, Leon Aldridge, Darrell Martinez, Denise Mathews, Courtney Martinez (wife), JoAnna Martin, and Cheryl Gilcrease
September 10, 2026 - Past coworkers of Darrell Martinez gathered Wednesday, September 9, 2026 to celebrate his 32-plus years of service to supporting and running the printing press located in Center on Austin Street just off the square. Martinez started working in the press room stuffing inserts into printed newspapers not long after graduating from Joaquin High School in 1992. He worked in the press room for 10 years learning every aspect of the press. After a short sabbatical away, he return and continued his journey working on the giant King Press overseeing everyday operations as well as maintaining all of its units.
Martinez recalled the first paper he stuffed inserts into was the Light and Champion with his name in print the first time in the November 20, 1992 edition. The final run Martinez completed came full circle with the printing of the same papers' September 10, 2026 edition. Over the years, he ensured the print for many different newspapers from all over the area was on time and delivered ‘hot off the press.’ His last day of work included 11 runs of different newspapers.
Thank you Darrell Martinez for your years of service to the Shelby County community.
