Those who deliver the news are making the news today.

Lois Ballard, a carrier for The DAILY LEADER, is one ofthousands across the country being honored Friday during NationalNewspaper Carrier Day.

“I’ve been delivering papers most all my life,” said Ballard,who’s had a local paper route since 1985.

Ballard said newspaper delivery was a “family tradition.” Afterbriefly living in Texas, Ballard returned to Brookhaven in 1978 andhelped her father, F.O. Brock, run routes for The Jackson DailyNews, The Clarion-Ledger, The Times-Picayune and The DAILYLEADER.

“I’ve been running them ever since,” Ballard said.

Ballard credits her father for her success in the business.Ballard got her own route shortly after he passed away in 1984.

“He was my teacher and taught me everything I know about them,”Ballard said.

Those lessons included treating customers well and taking a fewextra steps to assist them if needed.

“If they need me to put the paper on the porch for them, I tryto do that to help them out,” said Ballard. “They’re all good tome, and I enjoy it.”

Ballard said she delivers a little over 400 newspapers a daydowntown and elsewhere around Brookhaven. She said she starts about1 p.m. and is finishing around 4:45 p.m.

“I have businesses that I walk the papers to around town,”Ballard said. “I love being outdoors and meeting people.”

Jan Bullock, owner of the Posey Place, is one person who seesBallard on a daily basis. She called Ballard a “fixture” indowntown.

“She works hard for her money,” Bullock said. “And she’s takengood care of us.”

Ballard, 53, said she expects to continue her routes for yearsto come.

“I guess I’m going to be here until I retire,” she said. “I haveno plans for changing anything right now.”

As for the day set aside to recognize her and her fellowcarriers, Ballard said she thinks it is a good thing.

“It makes me feel good and want to do a good job for thecustomer,” Ballard said. “They appreciate it, and I appreciatethem.”