Willard Killough III Managing Editor & Publisher
Please contribute to your news service by clicking this link: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/FNFNRC4TFZBGA
CAROLINA BEACH – Recently I posted on Facebook that I’m returning to news reporting after a long hiatus starting in 2020. I was the Managing Editor of the Island Gazette. That paper closed some years after I left that position.
In the interest of transparency, I’ve received a donation from a citizen interested in their local government. Not a politician, but a long time resident that has questions and wants to be informed by a neutral party… me. I’ve had a lot of requests from citizens to return to publishing news. I’m definitely ready to take on the task of watchdog for open government and public participation in how the citizens are governed.
The mission is quite simple, find the truth and report it to the public. That makes life easier for government and the citizens. The citizens are informed and don’t have to spend their days hearing rumors with no concrete information. After several months talking to many people around town, they are hungry for information.
Here is the plan. No printed paper. I think we are past that in terms of journalism on the local level. We all have computers and cell phones. The new website is being designed by me, just like I did at the Island Gazette, and it will be a power house of information. I’ve dusted off the Island Gazette’s digital archives and I’m working on restoring them to the new website. There are also archives at UNCW that can be viewed free of charge.
In total I have acquired over 15 computers (yes, definitely overkill). Every one of them runs Linux – no need for Windows. In total I have around 100 Tera Bytes of storage. The software for design and investigations is free. In addition to the news website there will be a Facebook page and email alerts.
The business model is simple. People can subscribe (donate) and the rest of the funding will come from advertisers. I’ve never been a fan of pay walls on news websites. So if you find the information useful, you will be able to donate. (Optional, but it would be appreciated).
My only mission is to seek the truth. I’ve got a great track record from a little over 20 years. If you know, you know. So this my first update prior to launching your new local news site. There will be regular updates.
My door is always open. I’m always available. You can message me on Facebook or via email at killough2026@gmail.com. You can call me at 472-259-8356. If I can not answer at the moment, please leave a voicemail. Tell me your concerns. Ask me to investigate any topic or issue that concerns you or your neighbors.
Adding to that openness, I encourage elected leaders and government staff to communicate with me. You can go on-the-record or off-the-record. Whatever makes you comfortable. I’m spending this holiday weekend speaking with people and preparing the first edition of news. This will be informing and rewarding for everyone!!
Hi, this is a comment.
To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.