Signing off: York County's Jaime Garland delivering final newscasts for FOX43 this weekend

Jaime Garland called it the "hardest decision" of her life.

Even harder, though, might be trying to avoid an overflow of emotion while delivering her final FOX43 newscast this weekend.

For two decades, Garland told stories and developed a connection to the FOX43 audience, particularly in York and Adams counties.

Garland grew up in Biglerville, Adams County, then started at FOX43 as an intern before graduating from York College. She lives in York County with her police officer husband and their two children, ages 6 and 3.

Those children are the major reason Garland has decided to step away from the anchor desk after 20 years and three months.

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"I feel like I'm missing my family," said Garland, whose 6-year-old son starts first grade this month. "It used to be my career was all I really wanted. But once I had kids, I realized there's more to life than work. I want to be with them."

Garland started her post-internship career at FOX43 on the assignment desk, later became the Harrisburg bureau reporter, then the York reporter. She added weekend anchor to her duties around 2004, and served as both a reporter and anchor until 2011 when her son was born.

At that point, she stepped back into a part-time role and served primarily as a weekend anchor.

Her news director for the last three years, Matt McConico, said that even in her part-time role, Garland's contributions to the station have been enormous.

"I can't be at the station all the time, and the weekends can be an island," McConico said. "I feel very comfortable knowing Jaime is the newsroom leader on that island."

This weekend, though, will be her last.

Garland is filling in this Friday, Aug. 17, for the 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. Then she'll finish her 20-year run in her usual seat on the 10 p.m. newscasts on Saturday and Sunday.

"I'm just gonna try not to cry the whole time," Garland said of her Sunday night expectations.

Among her most memorable moments at FOX43: covering the Zachary Witman trial, President Obama's first inauguration, and the one-year 9/11 anniversary in Shanksville.

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Her favorite recurring segment was called "Unsung Hero," in which Garland was able to share long-form stories on people who made differences in their communities.

"It is really special to see our viewers light up and smile when meeting Jaime," McConico said. "They know her. They feel a connection to her."

While announcing the news on her public Facebook page this week, Garland said there's "no negative reason" for her departure.

She did mention, though, how much the business has changed over two decades, and she elaborated in her discussion with the York Daily Record.

"It used to be that the actual newscast was your main focus, and you could put all your energy into the story you're working on," she said. "Now you have to do website stuff, Facebook, Twitter, a million other things instead of that one story or one newscast being your 100 percent focus."

Garland will continue to work at The Athletic Club in York, where she teaches a variety of classes throughout the week.

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McConico said FOX43 expects to announce its new weekend anchoring plan in the near future.