Deanna Darr is the features editor for the Boise Weekly, a position that allows her to focus on in-depth writing while exploiting her organizational skills to oversee all special sections and projects for the paper.

Prior to coming to BW, Deanna worked as a reporter at papers in Bend, Ore. and Jackson, Wyo., covering everything from government, public lands, environmental issues, outdoor recreation, arts, music and theater. Deanna was started at Boise Weekly in 2007, after more than a decade away from Idaho.

She earned her degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University longer ago than she cares to admit.

Sydney Sallabanks is Director of Public Relations at Stoltz Marketing Group. Her particular expertise is in media relations, crisis mitigation, public affairs, strategic communications, campaigns and signature events.  Sydney is president of the Idaho delegation of the Public Relations Society of America. She serves as lobbyist for the Idaho Press Club.

She is a longstanding volunteer with local charitable organizations including Junior League Boise and Big Brother/Big Sister. A graduate of Leadership Boise, Sydney has also been honored as “Woman of the Year” by the Idaho Business Review and recognized as one of Boise’s “Accomplished Under 40." She is a graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism.

On her off hours, she can be found cooking, mountain biking and enjoying time with her husband and their daughter.

You can reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Joan Cartan-Hansen is the leader producer/host for “D4K”, co-producer/host of “Dialogue” and producer/reporter/writer for “Outdoor Idaho.”  In addition, she writes and produces a number of documentaries and occasionally contributes to the “PBS NewsHour.”  She served as president of the Idaho Press Club in the late 1980s to the mid 1990s and has been on a regional or state board of the Idaho Press Club since 1984.  Joan is the Idaho Representative to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences NW chapter and is on the executive committee for the Idaho Capitol Correspondents Association. 

She sits on the Idaho Supreme Court’s Media/Courts Committee and is a member of the Idaho Supreme Court’s Fire Brigade, a group called in to help mediate bench/press conflicts.  Joan has won a number of awards including several regional Emmys, gold medals at the New York Festivals, CINE Golden Eagles and numbers Idaho Press Club awards.  The National Education Association and the Council on State Governments have also honored Joan for her educational projects.  A native of Idaho, she is married with two children.

Allen R. Derr, Attorney at Law and is a native Idahoan  He is a founding member of the Idaho Press Club and a longtime Idaho Press Club Director.

Allen graduated with degrees in journalism and law from the University of Idaho.   He has worked as a reporter, editor during his extensive career and is a nationally published author of articles on law and an article on journalism and courtroom photography.

Allen started  his private practice of law at Boise, Idaho, 1960 and is still going full time.  He has the great distinction of having argued and won Reed v. Reed, 92 Supreme Court 251, in 1971. This was the first successful sex discrimination case in the history of our country in the U.S. Supreme Court.

He originated and chaired the Public Information Committee of the Idaho State Bar in 1997, designed to help the general public better understand the positive role law and lawyers play in our society.  This committee founded and developed the highly successful Citizen's Law Academy which began in 2000 and is expanding statewide.

Allen is the recipient of the Professionalism Award, Idaho State Bar, 2002; ACLU of Idaho Freedom Award. 2002 and University of Idaho Alumni Association Hall of Fame Award, 2005.

Melissa McGrath is the Communications Director for the Idaho State Department of Education.  Prior to joining the Department in 2007, Melissa worked as a print journalist for several publications in Maryland and Idaho, including the Idaho Statesman. Melissa has degrees in Journalism and Government from the University of Maryland. 

While she remains a die-hard Terrapin fan, Melissa enjoys being back in the Boise area where she grew up. She currently serves as an associate representative on the board for the Idaho Press Club and can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .