Aberdeen Daily World Publisher Mike Hrycko has accepted a job running a newspaper group based in Southwest Michigan.

He will leave the Harbor at the end of October, glad to be moving closer to family and his roots, but sad to be leaving what he calls “my home” for the past four years. He said he will miss his Ocean Shores home (but not the long, winding drive into Aberdeen), the business community and the dedicated staff at the newspaper.

“It has been an honor to be the publisher of The Daily World,” Hrycko said. “Since the time I moved here, almost four years ago, this community has welcomed me with open arms.”

Since taking over the helm of The Daily World in mid-February 2019, the paper has undergone many changes.

“We’ve been able to introduce several new sections that really highlight what a local newspaper is supposed to be about,” he said.

In addition to many new sections within the paper, Hrycko also oversaw the conversion from carrier delivery to mail, the consolidation of several weekly papers into The Daily World and the restructuring and rebuilding of the newsroom.

“What I’m most proud of is being able to walk away knowing that the paper is in a much better position now than it was when I took over,” Hrycko said. “We’ve been able to increase the size of our newsroom, which is unheard of in the industry today. Despite the popular narrative that newspapers are in trouble, The Daily World is in a sound financial position.”

While leaving the paper and the area was a difficult decision, he does plan to come back to the area to visit.

“My girlfriend’s family is in Washington state so we’ll be back at some point in the not-too-distant future,” he said.

Sound Publishing Vice President Terry Ward will oversee The Daily World publisher duties until a replacement for Hrycko is chosen. The Daily World is undergoing a national search for Hrycko’s replacement.

“I feel confident Mike is leaving The Daily World in great hands,” Ward said. “He has developed a top-notch staff which will continue to serve the Harbor with professionalism and dedication to journalism, and compassion for this community. The next publisher who follows in Mike’s footsteps is fortunate.”