Charlene (Patti) Bisson, 44, has been named President & CEO of Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA. She is only the fourth person to serve as the company’s CEO in its 68-year history.
Monday, December 27, 2021
Charlene Bisson named INI’s CEO
Charlene (Patti) Bisson, 44, has been named President & CEO of Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA. She is only the fourth person to serve as the company’s CEO in its 68-year history.
Friday, December 24, 2021
Trot for Toys
Lake Okeechobee News Editor Katrina Elsken covered a variety of
holiday events, including the Trot for Toys trail ride, which raised money for
the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office Shop with a Cop event for low income
children. (Deputies take kids shopping for presents for themselves and their
families.) How do you cover a trail ride? On horseback, of course.
Friday, December 17, 2021
January Anniversaries
1/6, 2 YRS, Wolf, Laurie Anne, N Valley/phoenix
1/6, 18 YRS, Sellers, Dianna Lee, Corporate
1/13, 25 YRS, Sheedy, Judith Kay, Okeechobee
1/15, 25 YRS, Martin, Robert J, Valley Printing
1/20, 3 YRS, Ziegler, Patrick E, Valley Printing
1/26, 4 YRS, Ibarra-Rivera, Ricardo I, Valley Printing
1/26, 13 YRS, Drzymalski, Scherie L, Corporate
Whistleblower Policy
Independent
has updated its Whistleblower Policy. The policy is an important ethical
practice and supports transparency and fair play within the company. We
encourage all employees to read the Company Handbook which is located on the
ADP home page.
INCREASE YOUR 401k INVESTMENT and SAVE FOR RETIREMENT!
INCREASE
YOUR 401k INVESTMENT and SAVE FOR RETIREMENT! Effective January 1, 2022,
most employees can defer up to $20,500 of their annual salary
to
their 401k investment plan --- a $1,000 increase over the limit in 2021.
Employees age 50 and older can defer up to $27,000. In most cases, each
participant may defer up to the maximum allowed by law. The plan defers taxes
on the amount you invest in your 401k account. If you would like to increase
your contribution, it's simple --- log onto the Principal website at https://www.principal.com/
enter your log in credentials, select Contributions>Managed
Contributions to make the change.
Please
email inipayroll@iniusa.org with
questions.
Dorchester Banner November Mission Story
Dorchester Banner
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Friday, December 10, 2021
Sun City Independent November Mission Story
A Sun City resident is trying to get a member of the rec center board recalled but is finding it a rough row to hoe. Other residents are behind him as they oppose the board’s June removal of a board member who was elected in December 2020. This story generated a lot of interest in the community and several letters to the editor.
Crisfield-Somerset County Times November Mission Story
Parents – especially since the advent of COVID-19 – have become more aware of what their children are learning and reading in school, and taking complaints to local school boards when they find objectionable material. Such is the case in Somerset County, where one book is already off school library shelves and under review by administrators, and other books are expected to be in the crosshairs.
https://baytobaynews.com/stories/mondays-not-coming-out-of-school-libraries,65128
Delaware State News Novembr Mission Stories
The biggest storyline of the month was the death of Delaware’s first female governor, Ruth Ann Minner, who died at the age of 86 on Nov. 4. I’m very proud of the breaking news coverage that our newsroom produced on deadline. Our stories built on candid interviews with downstate residents who knew Minner well. Our competition’s initial coverage focused on canned statements from elected officials. We used some of those reactions, too, of course, but packaged it as a sidebar. We had another story that focused on the impact she had on female politicians. The story of Minner’s death was one of the top 10 clicked for BaytoBayNews.com in November.
This Bud's for ................
This
bud is for the entire Arizona Group. We’ve had a lot of people out sick the
past couple of weeks and on holiday vacations. Everyone works diligently to
chip in from the press department to the newsroom. We truly have the best
newspaper team in the world! – Charlene Bisson
This Bud's for ...............
This
bud is for Andy West for his detailed guidance to help with Circ. Smart
set up. He went above and beyond! Thank you! – Charlene Bisson
Florida Mission Stories November 2021
INI Florida’s Editorial team stayed busy in November with coverage of local news. As the holiday season starts, there are plenty of photo ops. We also make sure to cover the more complicated issue stories.
Muck Tavern Lease
The lease for the Pahokee Marina continues to be a hot topic
in Western Palm Beach County. In 2019, the city commission initially chose one
company to manage the campground, marina and restaurant. Then negotiations
broke down and the city made arrangements with a different group to manage the
restaurant only. But an election in 2021 and the departure of the former city
manager left the leases unresolved. In November, the city commission made some
progress on the lease for the restaurant and local residents hope to see it
reopen soon.
Redistricting
The 2020 Census brought changes in some voting districts on
the federal and state levels. Florida counties were required to change their
own district maps to stay in line for the voting precincts for state and
federal races. The Lake Okeechobee News and Caloosa Belle kept readers up to
date on changes to expect next time they go to the polls.
EMS assessments
How can a local government pay for needed services when
property taxes don’t bring in enough cash. Florida law puts a maximum cap on
the property taxes a county can levy. Some counties have switched to per
residence assessments to pay for services such as fire protection and emergency
medical services. In the INI Florida coverage area, Okeechobee County has
already switched to this system, and Hendry and Glades Counties are considering
it. Stories in the newspapers and on the website helped explain what this
potential taxing change would mean to the residents.
Human Interest
Human interest stories are an important part of community
journalism. In November, two human interest stories highlighted local residents
who dealt with grief.
Lake Okeechobee News moves to new offices in Okeechobee
In September, the Lake Okeechobee News moved from the Fountain Square building the news had occupied for 30 years to smaller offices at 313 N.W. Fourth Avenue near the Okeechobee County Courthouse.
The circulation area is decorated for the holidays.
Editor Katrina Elsken’s corner of the office
Entry shelves showcase some of the newspaper industry’s history
with old photography equipment, lead type and a manual typewriter. Many of the
items on display had been in the old building, although the lead type setting
items came from Katrina Elsken's personal collection.
The multipurpose room gets a lot of use. It serves as the break
area, a meeting area, a place to do phone or in-person interviews, a place for
ad consultants to meet with clients and a work station for any staffer who needs
a spot to work in the building.
Two parking spaces near the front door are reserved for our
customers.
The sign is up over the door. Kris Schwartz is also designing art
that will be in the window.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
EAP Services
Reliance
Standard, Independent’s life and disability insurance carrier offers EAP to all
Independent’s employees and family members. Want to know more of the
services provided? The information is located on the ADP Home Page under
Highlights as EAP Services. You can also click the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y-Z61_44NB9ashdPzK2ixWE5xX3aUbO_/view?usp=sharing
Monday, November 29, 2021
Salisbury November Mission story
https://baytobaynews.com/stories/audit-finds-changes-needed-in-salisbury-police-evidence-room,63295?
In November, Salisbury Independent brought to conclusion
coverage of a law enforcement misdeed it revealed a year ago. When the head of
the Property Room of the Salisbury Police Department was dismissed at the end
of 2020, speculation among the local legal ranks was that something had been afoul
for months if not years. The newspaper began asking questions about procedures
and personnel in the evidence collection unit and it was soon reveled that a
non-commissioned employee was indeed suspected or removing cash from evidence
folders – cash that had been seized upon an arrest. An audit soon followed, and
it was discovered the thefts had been occurring without detection for decades.
The newspaper spun off several stories from the audit, including a review of
other cases that might be re-opened – and even a review of the suspected
employee’s own credit history, which reveled numerous delinquencies and pay
attachments. This month, the city filed a full report and announced
departmental changes related to the series of incidents.
Peoria November Mission Story
It may be the holiday season for the normal Joe, but in Peoria it is bond preparation season. Both the city and the school district are preparing for bonds to fund capital projects in their respective worlds. They are now forming committees, working to get bonds on the ballot next year. The city wants to provide public safety and park updates. The Peoria Unified School District is in desperate need of a new school in the northern part of the town as well as other projects, maintenance and updates throughout the state’s fourth largest school district.
Here are the stories:
Thursday, November 18, 2021
December Anniversaries
12/1 5 YRS Roy,
Matthew W Valley
12/3 9 YRS Mastro,
Timothy De State News
12/5 21 YRS Matute,
Zenaida Y Valley Printing
12/11 15 YRS Schwartz,
Kristina A Okeechobee
12/12 5 YRS Witt,
Cindy Jean Corporate
12/14 12 YRS Parks,
Tonda L De State News
12/17 9 YRS Riggin,
Karen Crisfield Times
12/17 12 YRS Kirksey,
Yvonne J De State News
12/21 3 YRS Fornear,
Danika Joy Caloosa Belle
12/22 7 YRS Sample,
Antoine De Printing
12/29 2 YRS Mendez,
Rodolfo M Valley Printing
12/29 19 YRS Powell,
Darin De State News
12/30 7 YRS Rosequist,
Melissa N Valley
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
DE State News hosts Excellence in Education recognition and grant program
Local education was the focus of a dinner that brought Kent
County public school and university leaders into one room. Delaware State News
hosted the 2021 Excellence in Education awards in Harrington on Nov. 10.
“Strong newspapers exist in strong communities. We [as a
company] are here because of the people in this room,” said Konrad LaPrade, DSN
vice president of sales and marketing, presenting the company’s donation.
“The purpose of the program is to brand and market our
educational initiatives … so businesses feel good about coming to our county
and our schools,” said Tonda Parks, a founder of the Excellence in Education
Fund and a marketing/community outreach director at Delaware State News.
Excellence in Education is a county-wide partnership between
several community agencies.
Grant money was also awarded this month to support two
capital city nonprofits and their education programs for workforce development:
$5,000 to the NCALL Launcher program that trains budding entrepreneurs, to help downtown Dover thrive, and also $7,500 to the
Green Beret Project after-school program, which provides youth with positive
life experiences, adult role models and the opportunity to explore various
career fields.
Speaking of job training, the charitable branch of the
National Retail Federation offered a proposition to Kent County colleges and
schools: the NRF Foundation has a training curriculum in “Warehouse Inventory
and Logistics,” which a local school to fund with help from an Excellence in
Education grant.
Not only would students learn the process and vocabulary of
the field, but also critical life and employability skills, said Adam Lukoskie,
vice president of the NRF Foundation. And warehousing businesses often promote
from within, thereby setting these entry-level workers on a regular career
path.
“The bottom line is we want our kids in Kent County to stay
here, and we want our employers and businesses to come here and know that we
have skill-based people,” Parks told the audience.
The Excellence in Education Fund is managed by the CenDel
Foundation.
• Read the Excellence in Education magazine: Delaware
State News (newsmemory.com)
• Read the news article: https://baytobaynews.com/stories/excellence-in-education-honors-two-dover-grant-winners,63645
Live Love Laugh
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rbS9w9Teq7WWglr18sL_NFb8_cVUWWtA/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1rbS9w9Teq7WWglr18sL_NFb8_cVUWWtA/view?usp=sharing
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Welcome back to Debra Luke
Name: Debra Diann Luke
I have two children, Son/Paul Watkins, and
Stepdaughter/Lyndsey Luke.
I have three grandchildren, two
granddaughters, 18 years old and 16 years old and one grandson, 15 years old.
I worked at Dover Downs for almost 3 years
in the Main Cash Office as a Dual Supervisor.
Sun Cities newspaper editor's 3rd book now available for purchase
A third book written by Rusty Bradshaw, editor of newspapers
in Sun City and Sun City West, is now available for purchase on multiple
platforms.
“Gorge Justice” was produced by Page Publishing. The book is
available in paperback and ebook versions on Barnes & Noble, and will be
available on Amazon soon.
“When people ask me what I did during a pandemic, I can say
I wrote another book,” Bradshaw said. “Getting this story completed was
satisfying because it was the second story I finished in 2020.”
“Gorge Justice” is a story about a young women who goes
through traumatic ordeals and how she fights through it with the support of
those closest to her.
Small town judgment can be brutal, as Sherry Dyke, a high
school student, finds out after she is date raped, becomes pregnant as a result
and makes a difficult decision. The family moves to another state to avoid the
harassment and begin to rebuild their lives. They win over their new
communities, including Sherry finding love.
But when the man who raped her shows up, the harassment
begins anew until Sherry is brutally raped again and beaten. Sherry survives
her injuries and she and her family seek justice through the court system, but
are disappointed.
Sherry’s tragic story is contrasted by the beauty of the
setting – the Columbia River Gorge that separates the states of Oregon and
Washington – and the manner in which she finally gets justice.
The first story Bradshaw completed in 2020 was based on the
storyline and characters of a canceled television series. He continues to
pursue permission from the show’s creators to publish the story in book form.
Bradshaw’s other two books are “The Rehabilitation of Miss
Little” and “Moist on the Mountain.”
Bradshaw is a journalist of nearly 40 years, now working for
Independent Newsmedia in Arizona. He edits weekly newspapers in the retirement
communities of Sun City and Sun City West. He also worked as editor for
Independent’s Surprise, Peoria and Scottsdale editions.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Oregon
University, attended Northwest College in Wyoming and grew up in the small town
of Dubois, Wyoming.
Bradshaw and his wife, Jeanne, live in Glendale.
 |
| Rusty Bradshaw with the three books he published, including the newest, “Gorge Justice.” |
Salisbury Independent October Mission story
As the Tuesday night date for Salisbury’s annual “State of
the City” speech approached, there was actually some anticipation in what the
city’s dynamic mayor would say. Recently returned from a 16-month U.S. Army
overseas deployment, Mayor Jake Day had been absent from city during a time of
massive infrastructure construction and a raging health pandemic. Though the
city’s leaders had performed well in the mayor’s absence, much of the vision
for Salisbury emanates from Mayor Day’s brain – the sense in town was one of
“OK, what’s next?” Because this wouldn’t be just any speech, Salisbury
Independent arranged to have the story delivered right on its print deadline.
The print-edition story included both live coverage and excerpts of the speech
which were requested in advance. All of the coverage also went immediately onto
BayToBayNews.com. The pre-planning and deadline execution allowed the website
and print paper to actually beat the local Gannett product, which had no
coverage until Thursday.
Banner Mission story October
The
Banner’s coverage of Homecoming in the Oct. 6 edition highlights our mission.
The
photos captured more than the usual photo of the king and queen, because we
treat events like this as community celebrations, and no other media outlets do
that. For instance, we had coverage not only of the game, but also the band,
including a nice shot of the current and former directors getting a standing
ovation from the crowd. All a reader or reporter has to do is scratch the
surface, and stories come out. Take my shot of the big, tough looking guy
holding a handsome little toddler. It turned out to be Eric Masaracchia, a retired
state trooper and former C-SD lineman and captain. It was one of the most
popular pics I have ever taken. We ended up with comments about the past and
building community in the paper’s Town Square column as a result of that photo.
Coverage
on BTBN.com featured a recap of the night and a photo gallery.
https://baytobaynews.com/stories/c-sd-homecoming-alumni-return-make-new-memories,60246?
Stars of the Eastern Shore
The Delmarva group has
celebrated the conclusion of their Stars of the Eastern Shore readers’ poll. On
Oct. 25 and 28, the advertising team hosted two separate and successful Stars
events where business winners and finalists were able to drop in, take a photo
at the step-and-repeat backdrop and pick up their winning plaque. The attached
staff photos are from each of the events. Over 35 businesses represented by
over 80 individuals stopped by throughout the two events, during which editor
Greg Basset announcing the “Person of the Year award.” (This was the follow-up
to a fun Stars of Delaware celebration earlier this year.)
The
following news story features a photo gallery from both Eastern Shore events
and more information: https://baytobaynews.com/stories/service-shows-in-the-2021-stars-of-the-eastern-shore-readers-poll,62535
Friday, November 5, 2021
INI Florida October Mission Stories
True Okee podcasts
Richard Marion, reporter for the Lake Okeechobee News, has
taught himself how to make podcasts and launched a series based on stories from
Okeechobee County’s past.
The podcast “The death of a sheriff” took a look at the 1986
death of Okeechobee County Sheriff John Collier. While the death was officially
ruled a suicide, those who knew Collier never believed that. Richard touched on
the story in an earlier podcast about drug trafficking in the 1980s, and that
podcast led to a new source who wanted to share more information with the Lake
Okeechobee News audience.
https://www.southcentralfloridalife.com/stories/true-okee-bonus-episode-death-of-a-sheriff,24450?
In honor of Halloween, Richard did some research into local
spooky legends and managed to interview two local residents who recalled a
close encounter with “something” …
https://www.southcentralfloridalife.com/stories/true-okee-special-halloween-podcast,24715?
LOSOM is
bad news for Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee is vital to the communities around the lake
as the source of recreation and tourism as well as water supply. A new plan to manage the lake could put the
ecology of the lake in jeopardy. The INI Florida papers have been carefully
following this story and putting it into perspective for the readers.
https://www.southcentralfloridalife.com/okeechobee/stories/corps-tries-to-optimize-lake-plan,24594?
COVID-19
pandemic coverage continues
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major story since the
pandemic began. The INI Florida papers continue to give readers regular updates
on local cases, vaccinations and treatment availability.
https://www.southcentralfloridalife.com/stories/do-you-need-a-covid-vaccine-booster-shot,24541?
Pick up your copy
Glendale editor Steve Stockmar has co-authored a new book out now
on one of the most successful collegiate sports programs in Arizona history.
"Yavapai Means Winning Soccer" chronicles the historic 31-year run of
the Yavapai College men's soccer team, in Prescott, that includes 636 wins and
seven national championships. Available now on Amazon.
October Mission Report DSN
Two major storylines this month highlighted our mission to inform readers and report the news with purposeful neutrality and objectivity: the state’s process to draw new election district boundaries and the indictment of the state auditor on charges of public corruption. Both topics have generated Speak Up, commentaries and letters.
Since
news broke in mid-October that State Auditor Kathy McGuiness was being indicted
on charges of public corruption, we have been busy following the criminal
justice process, the calls from legislators for her dismissal and brainstorming
ways to stay ahead of the competition on angles that would be fair to McGuiness
-- who has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remained in office -- but also
inform readers. Craig Anderson has taken the lead on this story, with a team
effort in the newsroom to find and identify sources and help as needed
Enterprise
stories so far have focused on the state’s whistleblower policies and
protections and how the timeline for such a high-profile case will proceed in
Delaware. More are in the works.
High
reader interest put some of these stories among the top hits on
BayToBayNews.com in October.
Glenn
Rolfe has been leading the reporting on redistricting since the state first
began the process to redraw election district boundaries in late summer. He has
advanced and covered meetings and written about the many versions of maps drafted
by the House, Senate and League of Women Voters based on the U.S. census data.
He wrote about open government advocates joining forces to create the Delaware
Fair Maps Coalition to ensure the process was fair and transparent and not
rushed toward a deadline that hindered public input.
This
story didn’t draw as many clicks as the stories about the auditor, but they did
get a personal shout out that we appreciate. Jack Young of the League of Women
Voters last week told Opinion Coordinator Lee Hoover that DSN’s redistricting
coverage was presented fairly. He told her that between news coverage and the
Opinion section, the paper did a great job of informing communities on the
issue!
Crisfield-Somerset County Times October Mission Story
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with its Zoom and
socially-distant meetings, the public found it difficult to address elected
officials. Last year, the Somerset County Board of Education amended the public
participation policy by adding an email address as a new point of contact – a
welcome addition – but inexplicably on “first and final reader” (meaning
without the typical one month layover to receive comment) the three board
members present deleted the former opportunity for the public to address the
board in person. Whether by accident or by design that change was criticized by
parents and now the board with the support of two new members is by consensus
planning to restore in-person public comments.
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Clam Bake is today
County
Times Editor Richard Crumbacker did his bit as usual at the 44th annual
J. Millard Tawes Crab & Clam Bake, held Oct. 13 in Crisfield, Md.
Richard volunteers every year for this must-attend event. It is a
see-and-be-seen political institution, equal parts seafood and schmooze.
The event is named for the native Eastern Shoreman, who served as the 54th
governor of Maryland. Mr. Tawes died in 1979 and remains the only Marylander to
be elected to the three positions of State Treasurer, Comptroller and governor.
Ferrio wins quarterly Starlifter Award
The Delaware State News was proud to honor marketing
consultant Joy Ferrio with the company’s quarterly Starlifter Award. Ferrio was
surprised with the honor at the Independent Newsmedia Inc. Delmarva Group’s quarterly
sales summit on Oct. 12.
The Starlifter Award is presented to a salesperson with the
best growth, digital and overall sales and “in recognition for her outstanding
sales effort and her ability to raise our clients’ stars even higher.”
Ferrio, who has sales territory across two states, has
worked for INI for four years total, over two stints with the company.
“It’s just a wonderful company to work for. If you’re happy
at your job, it just makes you want to do better,” she said. “I’m very thankful
for … the entire company, our beliefs and my customers. Relationships with the
customers are important.”
What’s her secret to serving local advertisers so well? “I
just try to be real — and honest — and help their business grow.”
Marketing Consultant Joy Ferrio was honored by her boss, Konrad La Prade, Delaware State News vice president of sales and marketing.
Friday, October 22, 2021
Independent to Give Bonus to Vaccinated Employees
Dear
INIers,
Wanda Ford-Waring
Executive Director - Corporate Services
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
November Anniversaries
|
11/2 |
1 YR |
Norman, Lisa Ann |
West Valley |
|
11/4 |
2 YRS |
Schultz, Brooke Elizabeth |
De State News |
|
11/4 |
45 YRS |
Daisey, James |
De Printing |
|
11/5 |
3 YRS |
Wills, Nancy Ann |
Okeechobee News |
|
11/5 |
42 YRS |
Jacobs, Michael Lee |
Valley Printing |
|
11/6 |
5 YRS |
Riggan, Lori Ann |
Valley Printing |
|
11/7 |
2 YRS |
Delaney, Lorelei |
E Valley |
|
11/12 |
3 YRS |
Klerk De Reus, Jennifer Marie |
Okeechobee |
|
11/13 |
8 YRS |
Kilpatrick, Norma |
W Valley |
|
11/15 |
2 YRS |
Plazola Hernandez, Samuel |
Valley Printing |
|
11/15 |
5 YRS |
Millner, Nicole Carter |
Corp. Acctng |
|
11/16 |
7 YRS |
Lopez-Beltran, Jose Manuel |
Valley Printing |
|
11/18 |
12 YRS |
Mankin, Bonnie Marie |
De State News |
|
11/20 |
16 YRS |
Michael, Heath |
Valley Printing |
|
11/21 |
43 YRS |
Devlin, Deborah |
De State News |
|
11/22 |
1 YR |
Webb, Terry D |
Valley Printing |
|
11/23 |
1 YR |
Haut, Louis J |
De State News |
|
11/26 |
9 YRS |
Dias, Frank C |
W Valley |
|
11/27 |
4 YRS |
Luff, Sherry M |
De State News |
|
11/28 |
5 YRS |
Dawson, Ashley G |
De State News |