SALISBURY — Elisabeth Strillacci has rejoined the Salisbury Post, returning as a full-time staff reporter this week. Strillacci, a Lexington native, left the Post in late September of 2023, retiring from her role as editor after approximately 20 months with the paper.

“We really missed having Elisabeth’s energy around the office. She’s brimming with enthusiasm and passion for her work, which makes having her around that much better,” said Chandler Inions, who stepped into the editor role after Strillacci’s retirement.

Strillacci brings over 30 years of experience into the role. After graduating from Wake Forest, she served as a reporter and editor for papers throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Connecticut.

“While her reporting chops are admirable, the thing that stands out most to me about Elisabeth is how she approaches every story from an ethical perspective. She never shies away from difficult storylines and she always navigates those situations with a compassion for the subjects involved. She’s a great reporter and an even better person. We are lucky to have her back,” said Inions.

After leaving the Post, Strillacci spent time as the managing editor of an online outlet focused on her native Davidson County, the Davidson Local.

“I’ve worked in a lot of newsrooms in my life and have never seen a newshound quite like Elisabeth. When she catches the scent of a story, I know every stone is getting turned over,” said Inions.

After Strillacci left the Post in September, multiple members of the community wrote letters to the editors detailing their appreciation of her local coverage and their sadness at her departure.

“Thank you, Elisabeth, for bringing the professionalism, integrity, intelligence and compassion that mark the best in journalism to our little paper. We are so lucky you came to us, and we must trust the proud legacy you leave will be carried on by your capable staff,” wrote Mary James in a letter to the editor from September.

Strillacci will be taking over as the newspaper’s police and courts, breaking news, East Spencer, Spencer and Kannapolis reporter.

“When I first came on at the Salisbury Post, Elisabeth was my North Star. She was gracious, helpful and informative and really helped acclimate me to the Post newsroom, Salisbury and Rowan County,” said Inions.