Candace Buckner, The Columbian's Blazers Beat Writer, To Leave For Indianapolis Star

The Vancouver Columbian confirmed to Blazersedge on Friday that Candace Buckner, the newspaper's Portland Trail Blazers beat writer, will be leaving the paper after one season to cover the Indiana Pacers for the Indianapolis Star.

The Associated Press Sports Editors Twitter account first announced the news on Thursday.

Buckner, who was hired last September, will take over for Mike Wells, who left the beat to cover the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.

Buckner had replaced Matt Calkins, who left to join the San Diego Union-Tribune back in July 2012. Calkins joined The Columbian from the Riverside Press-Enterprise in September 2010, replacing Brian T. Smith. Smith joined the paper in August 2009, taking over for Brian Hendrickson, but left to cover the Utah Jazz for the Salt Lake Tribune.

Writers interested in covering the Blazers for The Columbian should contact new sports editor Micah Rice at micah.rice@columbian.com.

The Oregonian's longtime Blazers writer, Jason Quick, also left the beat earlier this summer.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter