FRANKLIN—Charlie Passut has joined the staff of The Tidewater News as a staff writer.

Passut grew up in Glen Ellyn and Wheaton, Ill., has lived mostly in the Chicago and Detroit areas, but has family across central Virginia. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1992.

For four years, he was an editorial cartoonist for the college daily, The Northern Star. Since graduation he has had editorial cartoons and illustrations published at several newspapers. He draws a web comic called “Brenda Monarch.”

Passut covered Northampton County, N.C., as a reporter for the Daily Herald in Roanoke Rapids. He was also a copy editor for the Journal Messenger in Manassas, Va., and the systems administrator for The Oakland Press in Pontiac, Mich. He has also worked for three software companies, installing and training software at newspapers across the country.

“We are fortunate to have a seasoned, versatile journalist like Charlie on our staff,” said Steve Stewart, publisher of The Tidewater News. “He will help us fill the large void left by the departure of veteran reporters Wendy Walker and Res Spears.”

Passut said he looks forward “to meeting more of the people from this area, and writing stories about the issues they care about.”

“I’ve met several people already, and to a person they have all been very friendly,” he said. “If anyone has a news tip or story idea, please contact me either through e-mail (charlie.passut@tidewaternews.com) or by phone, 757-562-3187.”

Passut met his wife, Jena, in Georgia in 1999. They married in 2001 in Michigan and have two boys: Charlie, 4, and Jamie, 2. They reside in Franklin.