CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Another familiar face is leaving WKYC Channel 3. Mark Nolan has decided to part ways with the Gannett-owned Cleveland station where he is co-anchor of the morning newscast.

"I can confirm that Mark is leaving of his own wishes," said Channel 3's news director, Rita Andolsen. "We love Mark and will miss him. He's been part of the Channel 3 family for almost 18 years, as chief meteorologist, then as morning anchor. But he's decided to let his contract run out and pursue other things. And we certainly support him in whatever he chooses to do."

Nolan's contract is up March 14, and his last day on the air at the NBC affiliate station has not been determined. He joined Channel 3 as a part-time weather forecaster in June 1994, becoming a full-time weatherman for the 6 and 11 p.m. weekend newscasts in January 1997. After contributing to the station's weekday morning and noon newscasts for more than two years, he was promoted to the 6, 7 and 11 p.m. newscasts as chief meteorologist.

"It really is my decision," Nolan said. "It's something I've been thinking about for a year or so. I'm 42, and 42 isn't what it used to be in this business. It's a young person's game, particularly when you're getting up this early. I've got to get some sleep, take some time, do some thinking and decide what's next."

Along with co-anchors Tim White and Romona Robinson and sports anchor Jim Donovan, Nolan was a key part of the station's 6 and 11 p.m. news team that enjoyed an eight-year run starting in 1999. His departure will leave Donovan as the last member of that team still employed at Channel 3.

White left the station at the end of 2008. Robinson, Channel 3's solo anchor for the 6 and 11 newscasts after White's departure, left Channel 3 last month when negotiations for a new contract reached an impasse. Her last day on the air at Channel 3 was Dec. 16.

Russ Mitchell, who has been with CBS News for about 20 years, was named the lead anchor of Channel 3's 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts two weeks ago. His first day on the air will be January 16.

"I'll be doing a little bit of radio in the area," Nolan said. "You'll undoubtedly hear me before you see me. But it's a bittersweet moment. You don't stay somewhere 18 years unless you're fairly happy there. It's just time to move on and do something different. Some people call this a midlife crisis. I'm calling it halftime."

Nolan joined the station's morning news team in November 2007. His co-anchor is Erin Kennedy, who recently joined Channel 3 after a five-year stint as a news anchor in Rhode Island. No word yet on who will be named Mitchell's co-anchor at 6 and 11 or Kennedy's co-anchor when Nolan leaves Channel 3.

Born in Cleveland at Fairview Hospital, Nolan grew up in Northeast Ohio and lives in Geauga County. A 1991 graduate of Kent State University, he was the weather director for TV-2, the campus television station. After graduation, he was hired by the university as a radio and television production instructor, a post he held until 1992.