One of the best things about growing up in the newspaper business has been giving back to the community and keeping all the local citizens informed of what's happening in their corner of the world. It is with this love, desire and passion that my daughter, Cheltsie and I have embarked on yet another new adventure.
Today, Wednesday, July 29, a brand-new newspaper is hitting the streets in Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette Counties. The Riverbend News is making its debut!
Approximately three weeks ago, the parent company (CNHI) of the Suwannee Democrat, Mayo Free Press and Jasper News closed the doors on all three newspapers. From the time the staff got the word, their doors were closed within 24 hours. The citizens of Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette counties were left without a news source of any kind.
Newspapers are important; they give information, they educate people, they create jobs for people, they help improve the levels of literacy, and they offer some form of entertainment. Newspapers help bridge the gap between the public and government. Without the newspaper reporting about the local government happenings, the citizens would be left in the dark and the government agencies would remain oblivious to the wishes of their constituents.
Daily newspapers are often full of national and state news. But weekly newspapers … now that's where the fine reading is. Weekly newspapers tell their local citizens what is happening in their corner of the world. You don't find your local hometown news on the internet! The only place to find your local news is in your local newspaper!
It was for all of those (above mentioned) reasons that Cheltsie and I were motivated to start a brand-new newspaper in those three counties.
The Riverbend News will carry local, hometown news about the friends and neighbors that live in Suwannee County, Hamilton County and Lafayette County. The welcome we have received, thus far, has been tremendous. I've been out walking the streets for the last two weeks and have seen so many friends from "years gone by" but, I must admit, meeting new friends has been the most fun of all. I've met so many people and have felt welcomed into those three counties by everyone.
So, if any of you, my faithful friends, have friends that live in Suwannee, Hamilton or Lafayette … how about giving a "shout-out" for me and help me spread the word of the Riverbend News. We have a wonderful staff that is anxious to serve their hometowns and make a difference in the way news is reported. If you, or anyone you know, would like to share a story idea with us, place an ad or buy a subscription … just call (386) 364-4141.
Great newspapers have personalities, just like old friends. So, Cheltsie and I invite you, our friends, to sit back, take a break and read all about your neighbors in any, or all, of our local hometown newspapers.
"Bringing Local News Home"
Proudly serving Madison, Jefferson, Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette Counties
