Diane Barney, who has worked at The Reporter in Vacaville since 1984, is stepping down as editor of the MediaNews Group paper. A story in her paper said she will become director of public relations for NorthBay Healthcare System, which operates NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield and VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville.

Barney, 47, joined the newspaper as an assistant city editor in 1984. She later became news editor, followed by jobs as copy desk chief, city editor and finally managing editor before becoming editor in 1993.

“I am very proud of the work we do here and have nothing but praise for the dedicated staff that day in and day out puts together the best local news report in the region,” Barney said. “I fell in love with community journalism and couldn’t have found a better place to hone that craft.”