LOCK HAVEN — Did you know The Express staff is almost entirely run by women? It’s true!

As your community newspaper celebrates the many women owned and women run businesses in our area, we also would like to take a moment to spotlight those who work hard here.

The following is a spotlight on each member of our team:

Megan Muthler, General Manager/

Advertising Manager

Megan Muthler, who was recently promoted from assistant advertising manager to general manager/advertising manager, has been at The Express for over eight years. She handles day-to-day operations at the newspaper, overseeing employees in its classifieds and advertising departments, circulation and editorial. She also continues to meet with advertisers and develops marketing strategies among her staff.

Megan was born and raised in Clinton County, where she spent the majority of her life, beyond attending college at the former Bloomsburg University.

Megan notes she grew up in Castanea, but frequented her grandparents’ house in Lock Haven… which she now lives just up the street from with her husband and son.

“This town has always felt like home, and I’m so grateful I got to settle down and build my life here. We are surrounded by scenery and nature that we all too-often take for granted, and there are so many friendly and familiar faces on our streets. You can’t beat good ol’ LH… except maybe if we had a beach,” she said.

With eight years spent at The Express meeting with local business owners, Megan has a variety of favorites when it comes to local restaurants.

“This one is hard because I have so many favorites,” she said.

According to Megan, she likes Stella A’s for soup and salad, Haywood’s on the Green for tacos, Uncle Al’s for drinks and the nostalgia, Avenue 209 for “the best breakfast sandwich you’d ever eat” — she recommends a rosemary bagel from Bagel Bagel; the Old Corner for cheesesteaks, Rey Azteca for fajitas and guacamole and Lost Acres Restaurant for good old fashioned breakfasts. She added, though it isn’t necessarily totally local, she’s a Dunkin coffee girl at heart, too.

As for her favorite local stores, Megan said she loves Give Back Community Thrift Store, It Is What It Is and The Bus Stops Here.

Outside of work, Megan said she enjoys reading when she can, a good TV series binge-watch, camping and spending slow evenings with her family.

Being the first woman to serve as general manager at The Express, Megan said she’s grateful to be one of many local women in business here in Clinton County.

“I get to work alongside some of this community’s most hard-working women, and it does truly feel like such a great anomaly to have a staff that is almost entirely made up of women,” she said. “We put so much care into this paper and this community, and you know what they say… sometimes it just needs a woman’s touch.”

Laura Jameson, Managing Editor

Laura Jameson, managing editor for The Express, likes to joke she’s done it all during her nearly nine years at The Express… except sell advertising.

As managing editor Laura oversees the editorial department’s day-to-day operations.

She organizes and prepares content for a variety of daily and weekly sections along with developing a plan for the newspaper’s front page, community page and more.

She also edits articles and keeps track of in-progress articles her reporters’ are working on and brainstorms ideas for content with the newsroom.

“I also haven’t fully left writing behind thankfully,” she said. “I cover beats such as Clinton County Government, Keystone Central School District and the City of Lock Haven.”

Along with these duties, she serves as a back up page designer, takes photographs when needed and coordinates initiatives between the editorial and advertising departments.

Though a 2016 graduate of Jersey Shore High School, Laura has lived her entire life in Clinton County.

“Sometimes it’s a bit confusing when I tell people I grew up in Rauchtown, which has a Jersey Shore address,” she said. “But I get the confusion since Crawford Township is right up against the border with Lycoming County.”

Laura lived in Lock Haven for two years, something she does miss due to its easy access to local businesses.

“But I had the chance to move back to Rauchtown which, much to my mother’s excitement, put me only five minutes away versus 20,” she said.

Speaking of local businesses, Laura can’t narrow down which local restaurant is her favorite.

“I make it a point to try and eat locally as often as I can and when my bank account allows me,” she said.

In no particular order, she typically eats at: Pearl’s Cafe on Main, Leo’s Italian Specialty, Stella A’s, The Texas, Broken Axe Brewhouse, The Old Corner, The Main Street Grill, Two Maidens Tea Room and Cafe (ramen!!), OIP, Shanghai, Avenue 209 and Fox’s Restaurant.

“If I missed anyone, please don’t take offense, there’s just so many great food options around here,” she added.

Local stores are a bit easier to narrow down, though she tries to shop as local as she can.

“I’d say my go-tos are Two Maidens for their drinks and little trinkets, It Is What It Is when I need a unique gift for someone and basically any of the thrift stores,” she said.

Outside of work, Laura’s hobbies include, though she’s teased about it, trying to take good care of her yard.

“Not to sound like a suburban dad but I absolutely love lawn care. When it’s summertime you will not catch my lawn looking scraggly… though I do put off my first cutting a bit for the bees’ sake,” she said.

She also enjoys spending time with her family, working on projects in her garage — which includes renovating part of it, snuggling with her orange menace of a cat, Oliver, and also visiting local parks when she has the time.

Laura said she’s extremely lucky to be a woman in business in Lock Haven, thanks to those who came before her and those here now.

“I’ve had so many role models to look towards as a woman in business, and I consider myself extremely lucky for that,” she said. “In my career I had Lana Muthler and Wendy Doherty showcasing to me the importance of a local newspaper in a world where many places aren’t quite as lucky as Clinton County to have a six-day a week print product. They helped foster my love of community writing for which I’m eternally grateful.”

Outside of her job, Laura said it’s been a pleasure to watch a boom of women-owned businesses crop up in downtown Lock Haven.

“It shows just how much of a driving force we are for our local economy,” she said.

As current board president of Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., she emphasized how important local business is to communities like Lock Haven and Clinton County as a whole.

“Local business is the lifeblood of rural communities like ours and it’s amazing to see so many women lead the way on that front and continue to show how crucial it is we are included in not only a business space but in municipal and county government and beyond,” she said.

Lisa Schropp,

Community Writer,

Classified

Advertising Sales

Lisa Schropp is the longest serving member of The Express team, with her 20th year coming up on March 20. She serves as the main contact for legal and classified ad sales and a community writer.

“I’m responsible for scheduling legal notices and classified advertising, preparing proofs of publication, invoicing clients and managing customer communication,” Lisa explained.

She also writes community feature articles for the newspaper and designs special sections, including a piece for Millbrook Playhouse which highlights its upcoming summer season each year.

A graduate of Lock Haven University, Lisa has lived in Clinton County for 20 years.

With so many great options to choose from downtown and beyond, Lisa can’t pick just one favorite restaurant. She enjoys Rey Azteca, sweet treats from Genie’s 3 Wishes Bakery and lotus drinks from Gateway Cafe in nearby Jersey Shore and Two Maidens Cafe and Tea Room downtown.

Her favorite stores to shop are The Bus Stops Here and It Is What It Is.

Her hobbies are wide ranging but often relaxing. They include reading, writing, taking her dog, Vallie, for walks at local parks, watching reality competition shows and listening to podcasts that break down the latest episodes.

“I also enjoy getting my daily dose of drama from ‘Days of our Lives,'” she added, in terms of TV.

Her favorite football team is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who she loves to cheer for.

She also enjoys going to live theater performances, especially at Millbrook Playhouse, and visiting her favorite place, Knoebels Grove in Elysburg.

Reflecting on her years at The Express, Lisa said she’s grateful to be a woman in business, especially locally.

“I take great pride in being part of a trusted voice for our region. I believe local journalism matters, and I genuinely enjoy sharing the stories of our neighbors, organizations and local businesses,” she said. “I especially love showcasing the stories of girls and women in our community to amplify their accomplishments, while empowering other girls and women to push boundaries, find their voices, and recognize their own potential.”

Arianna McKee, Design Editor,

Editorial Page

Editor

Design Editor Arianna McKee has been pulling together award winning display content for The Express for years now and, in recent years, became the paper’s editorial page editor.

Arianna designs the page layout for the newspaper’s six-day a week print editions, excluding the sports pages. Her tasks include utilizing graphic design to create covers, headers, house ads and more.

“I also create the opinion/editorial page, including writing the bulk of most of the Our Views, although everyone here absolutely does contribute as well. You may also see my byline on the occasional story, especially weather stories since that’s a bit of a special interest,” Arianna said.

Arianna has been with The Express since March 2017, so nearing her nine year anniversary with the newspaper.

Arianna lives just over the county border in Jersey Shore borough and was originally from Montoursville.

“I’ve lived my whole life in Lycoming or Clinton County — I did live in the city for a few years while I went to Lock Haven University back in the 2000s,” she said.

When it comes to picking a favorite local restaurant, Arianna said she would choose Fox’s Market House Restaurant or The Texas.

“I’m a breakfast fiend,” she said as to why.

As for her favorite local store, Arianna said it would have to be the White Knight Game Room In Haven, where she takes part in playing games casually.

“I don’t compete in events anymore, but I still play a lot of games casually — casually for me, anyway — and it’s great having the ability to get supplies locally,” she said.

Table top games and competitive card games are one of Arianna’s bigger hobbies.

“I game a lot, with a special fondness for sprawling 4X games like Europa Universalis, Eclipse and Twilight Imperium. I used to play Magic: the Gathering competitively, and was a fairly competent tank in World of Warcraft for years,” she said.

These days, however, Arianna likes to spend a lot of time in her garden during warmer months, with a focus on native plants and plants that are in some way useful.

“I also listen to an enormous amount of music from a wide variety of genres (but rooted in metal, especially melodeath and symphonic,” she said.

Another hobby for her is a fondness for telling puns around the newsroom, much to the chagrin of her coworkers’ (particularly her managing editor).

With a bit of a competitive nature, Arianna said being a woman is business for her is about bringing her best everyday and showing, to the best of her ability, what this “little paper that could” is capable of.

It’s also about honoring the legacies of women who came before us, like long-time editor Rebecca Gross and, more recently, two of her mentors: Lana Muthler and Wendy Doherty.

“There’s a long, proud tradition of women in charge at The Express, and I strive to keep that tradition running as long as I can,” she said.

Laura Tarantella, Staff Reporter

The Express’s newest addition, Laura Tarantella, is happy to be a part of the community newspaper.

As a staff reporter, her responsibilities include covering local township and borough meetings. At the moment, she covers Mill Hall, Bald Eagle and Woodward.

“I also go out into the community to cover local events. It’s amazing to see how the community comes together throughout the year through the different events that I’ve been invited to,” Laura said.

Though only just beginning her time at The Express in October 2025, Laura said the transition has been very easy and “it feels like I’ve been here my whole life.”

Laura was born and raised in Renovo (yes, she is part of the Renovo branch of Tarantellas) before moving to McElhattan and later graduating from Central Mountain High School in 2015. She moved to Arizona shortly after graduating college and spent a few years exploring the west coast before moving back to the Lock Haven area in 2024. This, she said, followed a few years of traveling the east coast.

“I moved here to be closer to my family, especially my nephews Oliver and Caleb,” she said.

Having spent a large part of her life in Clinton County, Laura said her favorite place to eat is OIP.

“I remember stopping in for dinner before dance class when Rachael’s was still on Main Street with my mom and her friends. I’ve always ordered the same sandwich and I don’t think that will change any time soon,” she said.

As far as her favorite store, she said she loves to check out the fun trinkets and stickers at Two Maidens.

When she’s not working, Laura said her hobbies can change from week to week.

“I always enjoy binge watching TV with my cat, Tucker, who has no concept of personal space. Outside of that, I like trying out new recipes in my free time and being the best auntie ever,” she said.

Laura noted that women in business have helped grow this area.

“It’s important to support local businesses and keep growing our community and a lot of that is being done by women. I think it’s amazing to see what women can do in all aspects of business, not just ours,” she said. “Every day there’s a new problem to face but the women here work to build each other up and continue the legacy of our paper and all the women that came before us. I’m very grateful to have this opportunity to work alongside my coworkers and the community.”

Ravynne Huffman, Advertising and Marketing Coordinator

Ravynne Huffman is a relatively new addition to The Express team, beginning her role as advertising and marketing coordinator in September 2025.

Ravynne helps businesses and the local community place display ads in the newspaper, as well as helps the team develop ideas to better serve the community with the resources at The Express.

Ravynne has lived in Clinton County since 2005 and currently resides on her homestead in Porter Township with her husband and kids.

Though there are so many great restaurants to choose from in the area, Ravynne said her absolute favorite is Shanghai.

As for her favorite store? She said she loves the Give Back Community Thrift Store.

Her favorite store actually ties into some of the hobbies she enjoys. Those include thrifting, photography, gardening, baking, hiking and crafting.

Ravynne said being a woman in business can be inspirational for younger generations, noting she owns her own local business with her husband.

“I hope we inspire our children to think BIG! Don’t limit yourself. And here at The Express I’m surrounded by amazing and inspirational women who continue to push themselves to do better, be creative and think of things they haven’t thought of before,” she said. “We publish six days a week, and with those six days you’re given fresh content derived by these women who truly want to give you something they care about, and have worked hard to show you what this community represents.”

Bonny Merrifield, Customer

Service Clerk

Besides Lisa, Bonny Merrifield is likely the voice you’ll hear on the other end of the phone when you call for circulation. Or the smiling face you’re greeted by when you stop in to pay your bill.

Bonny serves as a customer service clerk at The Express, working Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday each week.

Having briefly retired from her work here at The Express, Bonny returned seven months ago to help The Express subscribership however she’s able.

Bonny has lived in Clinton County for well over 40 years.

With that time comes expert knowledge in some of the best places in town. She says Rey Azteca is her favorite restaurant and It Is What It Is is her favorite store.

In her free time, Bonny likes to quilt and sew.

As for being a woman in business, Bonny is grateful.

“Being a woman in business is such a great honor. It is always nice to be recognized for accomplishments,” she said.

Tammy Coakley, Editorial Assistant

After working 37 years as a property and casualty insurance agent — and writing the ever-popular Howard Happenings weekly column for more than 20 years — Tammy Coakley joined our Express staff in 2021 as a part-time editorial assistant.

Some of her duties in the newsroom at The Express include working with funeral directors and family members to prepare obituaries for publication, preparing birthday and anniversary information along with other items for Around the Town. Posting upcoming events to the community calendar and proofreading articles are also some of her duties.

In addition, Tammy will use her writing skills to help as a local reporter on stories or articles that are published by The Express.

Tammy has lived her entire life in the Marsh Creek area of Centre County, Pa., and is a 1982 graduate of Lock Haven High School.

Having been born and raised in the area, and attending school in the county, Tammy said her favorite restaurants are a toss up between Stella A’s and Haywood’s on the Green.

Though not her favorite store, Tammy jokes that Walmart “seems to be the store that I’m most often spending my money at.”

Tammy’s hobbies include Bingo, crocheting, making lap robes and quilts with her mother, watching newborn calves and chicks at the farm and spending time with her family, especially having fun with her three grandchildren.

Vickie Buckle,

Advertising

Representative

With 40 years of experience, Vickie Buckle brings a plethora of knowledge to The Express as she serves as both an advertising representative for the newspaper and its sister product, the Williamsport Sun Gazette.

Vickie sells print and digital advertising to businesses in area and works on special sections throughout the year, including “What Christmas Means to Me” — a special section she spearheaded that shined a spotlight on Howard Elementary School.

Though living in Centre County now, Vickie said she grew up in Clinton County.

When it comes to a favorite place to eat, Vickie said it’s tough to choose.

“I don’t have a favorite restaurant because I enjoy all types of food,” she said.

She also said it would be tough to narrow down her favorite local store.

“I love shopping so I enjoy any local store,” she said.

Vickie’s hobbies include going on walks in the summer, attending her grandchildren’s events for school and just spending time with her family.

Working for The Express has given Vickie opportunities she’s enjoyed, including meeting new people and learning what they do.

“I started out in this business just selling over the phone, then went into retail advertising. This included going out to see accounts and what each of them do, which is very interesting,” she said.

Vickie said she loves working for the newspaper.

“I love how the paper works and enjoy working with people and my coworkers. I think this was the career for me and I am so happy to be part of the Lock Haven Express,” she said.