HAS
YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED DURING THE YEAR? If so, please make
sure your correct address is in the payroll records to ensure an accurate W2
mailing in January 2027. You can review and make changes in ADP
by selecting MySelf and then under
My Information click on Profile . Make all necessary
changes. Contact payroll@iniusa.org
should you have questions.
During
COVID, almost everyone worked from home, and we shared a work-from-home guide.
While there are still staff members who work remotely, I want to take this
opportunity to remind everyone of a few simple guidelines to help keep our
virtual meetings professional, productive, and respectful of everyone’s time.
Please
keep the following in mind when preparing for online Teams or Zoom meetings:
·
Be
on time -
Join meetings a few minutes early whenever possible.
·
Test
your technology -
Make sure your connection for microphone, camera, and other equipment are
working properly before the meeting.
·
Choose
an appropriate setting -
Whenever possible, join from a quiet, professional environment with minimal
distractions.
·
Use
your camera appropriately -
Cameras should be on for meetings. Please ensure you are dressed appropriately
and that your background is suitable for a professional meeting. If you do not
have a suitable work location or prefer not to have your surroundings visible,
please use an appropriate virtual background or filter.
·
Mute
when not speaking: Keep
your microphone muted when you are not contributing to minimize background
noise.
·
Stay
engaged: Avoid
multitasking, checking your phone, or working on unrelated tasks during
meetings.
·
Participate
respectfully:
Allow others to finish speaking, avoid interruptions, and use the chat or
“raise hand” feature when appropriate.
These
small practices help create a positive and productive virtual work environment.
Ultimately, the goal is to continue maintaining a professional and respectful
workplace, wherever you are working from.
New Year’s Eve has been added to the list of paid holidays. The remaining holidays in 2026 are:
Good Morning,
Andria Bennett, CMC
City Clerk/Director of Council Affairs
& Constituent Services/Assistant Treasurer
City of Dover
Hi Andria:
What
a nice Monday surprise. I’m sure @Tonda Parks is thrilled.
Thank you for the kind recognition.
Did you know you can access so much right from ADP?
On the home screen you can access the company website https://iniusa.org/
as well as all three regional websites; Delmarva – Arizona – Florida with just
the click of your mouse.
There is information to reach payroll; corporate
services and benefit resources center.
Need to contact Principal? That
is just a click away.
What is under the Resources tab? Company Information. Read Company Policies or search for Benefits
Information, Sign Up Forms or Personnel Forms in the Forms Library.
Congratulations
to our top three reps in INI.
We
appreciate your efforts.
Charlene
Katrina found this United Press story from 1951, which explains the Okeechobee News staff decided to take a week off to go fishing! Things were a bit different in the "good old days".
Congratulations to our top INI rep Greg Garcia (Arizona) for increasing his book of business over last year by more than 30%, which ended at $102,552 for February. Greg has been doing a mixture of things to increase his business, including upgrading current clients, getting new business for our annual spring training guide, and selling more digital advertising. Michelle Gavagan (Arizona) came in at No. 2 with $70,000-plus. We had nearly a tie for third place with Brett Beckwith (Arizona), Roxanne Brooks (Delmarva) and Ann Kampmeyer (Arizona) – all hitting mid-$50,000s. Also, a special shout out to part-timer Frank Dias (20 hours a week) who brought in $36,000 for February.
Annual Meeting of the Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce was held Oct. 15, 2025. The event was well attended, with approximately 250 people present. During the program, the Chamber’s executive made a point to recognize us, referring to the Middletown/Smyrna Independent and the Daily State News as valued partners.
L-R: Craig Anderson, Reporter; Ryan Conroy, Joy Ferrio, Ad Consultants;
Jessica Cook, Special Events Manager; Tonda Parks, Associate Publisher
Managers are you looking for a previous evaluation completed on a team member?
Evaluations completed in 2023,2024 and 2025
are saved in ADP.
·
Click
on My Team
·
under
Employment select Employee Documents;
·
search
for the employee by name.
·
Click
on the document then open the PDF and it will download.
INI
is changing the employee discount subscription rate policy effective
September1st. All employees will be limited to one subscription at a discounted rate. The
subscription must be in the employee’s name. *Family and friends will no
longer qualify for the employee rate. All subscriptions on the employee rate
that are not in the name of a current employee will be adjusted to the regular
subscription rate effective 9/1/25 unless cancelled. To cancel an existing
subscription, please email customerservice@iniusa.org.
Windows 11 Update
Independent employees with company laptop/computers will receive an email from Marc Tropio, INI’s technical service coordinator regarding the Window 11 upgrade. Your laptop/computer currently has Windows 10 operating system which will be expiring. This upgrade is essential to ensure continued security compliance, access the latest features, and improve overall system performance across Independent.
The email you will receive is a valid email and not a phishing attempt. Due to the important nature of this and the short timeline to be completed, please watch for Marc’s email.
The update must be completed by Monday, August 25th. For questions or issues, email Marc Tropio at mtropio@iniusa.org
Effective the first pay date of September 2025, employees will no longer accrue PHO, but may use their available balance with manager approval, through the end of December 2025. There is no carry over of PHO into 2026.
Church group offers prayers for Lake Okeechobee
News
Everglades Baptist Church in Okeechobee has started a “parking lot
prayer” mission. On Sundays, after their regular services, volunteers
visit the parking lots of local businesses (with advance permission from the
business owners and the landlords) to pray for the businesses.
On a Sunday in June, they gathered to pray in the parking lot
outside the Lake Okeechobee News office. In the letter
asking for permission to pray in the parking lot, a church representative
wrote: “We want to praise and thank God for the work He is doing through you!
We also want to ask God to continue to bless the work of your hands.”
They used the newspaper’s own Pledge to the Readers as the
focus of the prayers, finding Bible verses to go along with the newspaper’s
published statement of Mission, Values, Ethics and Service.
They printed out a copy of the prayers which they left at the
office.
Pray that the “Okeechobee News” maintains a commitment to TRUTH as
defined by the Word of God.
MISSION: We attempt to publish purposeful
newspapers that encourage and support meaningful community involvement, and
that provide citizens with the knowledge and participation they need to make
rational decisions about public issues.
We serve our community by reporting the news with purposeful
neutrality, promoting community participation, and honoring the accomplishments
of volunteers.
2 Timothy 2:15 - “Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately
handling the word of truth.”
Ephesians 5:9-11 - (For the fruit of light is found in all
that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to
the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead
expose them.
Proverbs 12:22 - Lying lips are an abomination to the
Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Pray that the employees of the “Okeechobee News”, who are filled
with God-given talents and abilities may seek the Lord to guide them in using
their gifts to glorify Him.
VALUES: We operate our newspaper as a public
trust, in the public interest. We believe that our dedication to conscientious
journalism is the best way we can help our community become a better place to
live and work. We achieve success by helping our readers, advertisers and
communities become more successful.
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God.
Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do in word or deed, do
all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Psalm 119:160 - The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your
righteous rules endures forever.
Pray that the “Okeechobee News” may be committed to upholding
truth and a God-given sense of ethics.
ETHICS: We are committed to upholding high ethical
standards in all of our dealings. We intend to be a company known for its
integrity, fairness, and respect for others. We intend to excel by
attracting and encouraging people who share our values and are committed to
achieving excellence in their own dealings with others.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever
is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think
about such things.”
Colossians 2:8 - See to it that no one takes you captive
by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the
elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your
mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to
the hearers.
John 8:32 - And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free.”
Pray that the community may be blessed by both the journalism and
the advertising of the “Okeechobee News”.
SERVICE: We strive to help our community become a
better place in which to live and work through our dedication to conscientious
journalism, and by providing a vigorous advertising marketplace. Our business
relationships are built on honesty, service, quality products, and value.
Ephesians 6:14 - Stand therefore, having fastened on the
belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Philippians 1:9-10 - And this I pray, that your love may abound
still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the
things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the
day of Christ.
Ephesians 4:25 - Therefore, having put away falsehood,
let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one
of another.
Some days, our jobs lead us to some pretty cool experiences.
To use an
old expression, Kaitlyn Cupelli’s recent story
really was the “bees knees.”
With the
guidance of Sharon Fanning and David Owens, our reporter donned protective gear
and got a close look at the honeybee population at the Sussex County chapter of
the Delaware Beekeepers Association’s training apiary in Georgetown.
“Although
it was a little intimidating at first,” she said, “it ended up being a very
interesting experience that taught me a lot.”
The yearlong “Seeds of Need” series was packaged into a
special section.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Daily State News’ year-long series on poverty in Delaware has won first place in the Public Service category of the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association editorial contest.
Daily State News Managing Editor Logan B. Anderson headed
the “Seeds of Need” series.
Multiple reporters contributed to the in-depth report. At
the end of the year, it was bundled into a special section now available on BaytoBayNews.com.
The Daily State News newsroom also won a first place in the
Series category for “Harriett Tubman: Her Life and Legacy.”
Sports Editor Andy Walter collected two awards, including a
first-place honor for a Dover High basketball feature.
Overall, the Daily State News newsroom had five winning
entries and the advertising team had nine.
News awards
First place:
Public Service – “Seeds of Need” – Logan Anderson and staff of the Daily
State News.
Series – “Harriett Tubman: Her Life and Legacy” – Debra Messick, Elle
Wood, Craig Anderson, Brian Gilliland and Glenn Rolfe.
Sports story – “Little, Perkins weren't going to let Dover state crowns slip
away” – Andy Walter
Second place:
New-Driven Informational Graphic – “Map: Presidential vote shows the divide in Delaware” –
Andrew West
Sports Feature Story – “A
true miracle: Dover’s Buttillo returns to lacrosse field after accident” –
Andy Walter
Advertising awards
First place:
Advertising Campaign – “Beauty Unleashed” – Angi Hicks and
Jenny Keim
Restaurant/Entertainment Ad, Small Print – “Mike and Mel’s”
– Angi Hicks and Sharon Harvey
Business Non-Retail Ad, Large Print – “Chesapeake Utilities”
– Angi Hicks and Joy Ferrio
Second place
Best event – “Dover Comic Con” – Jessica Cook, Heather
Cregar, Laura Walter and Tom Maglio
Community Service Program – “Citywide Black History
Celebration” – Jessica Cook, Heather Cregar, Laura Walter and Tom Maglio
Advertising-Driven Special Section – “Think Pink” – Jamie Bobbitt and Laura Walter
News-Driven Special Section – “Think Pink” – Jamie Bobbitt and Laura Walter
Custom Publication – “Tribute to Heroes” – Angi Hicks and
Jamie Bobbitt
Business Non-Retail Ad – “BPS Dumpsters” – Karen Riggin and
Angi Hicks
The Daily State News is judged against other small daily
newspapers in Division C of the contest.
Andy West, Tonda Parks and Craig Anderson represented the
Daily State News at the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association luncheon in
Annapolis, Maryland, on Friday, May 9.
By Richard Caines
Annie Bassett smiles at the sight of a sign in honor of
her late father, Greg Bassett. The sign is one of three at the the newly-named
"Greg Bassett Circle" in Downtown Salisbury Monday. Daily State
News/Andrew West
Annie Bassett and Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor, unveil a sign for the newly-named "Greg Bassett Circle" in Downtown Salisbury Monday. The city and Greater Salisbury Committee were partners in the recognition of Bassett's work as an editor and community champion. Mr. Bassett, Annie's father, was the founding editor of the Salisbury Independent. The roundabout is located at the intersection of Riverside Drive, West Carroll Street, and Mill Street. Daily State News/Andrew West
Annie Bassett and her mother, Cathy, pose next to a new
sign at the newly-renamed "Greg Bassett Circle" in Downtown
Salisbury. Mr. Bassett was a proponent of saving the obelisk in encircles. The
obelisk, moved to the circle in 2020, was dedicated to Fred P. Adkins, a
community leader, fifty years earlier. Daily State News/Andrew West
https://baytobaynews.com/stories/salisbury-names-roundabout-greg-bassett-circle,220349
Katrina Elsken, of the Lake Okeechobee News, was one of the guest speakers for Clewiston High School's annual Career Day on March 14. She shared print editions of the newspaper and also showed them the website.
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To celebrate Dorchester County’s economic prowess and potential, the 2025 “Water Moves Us” economic profile was released this month, a glossy magazine that shows off business potential, success stories and overall quality of life.
Community leaders were invited to a Jan. 22 magazine release
at Suicide Bridge Restaurant in Hurlock. The annual magazine is published by
the Dorchester Banner / BayToBayNews.com in partnership with Dorchester County
Economic Development Office.
“This publication was designed to feature the county’s
successes, while also inspiring new businesses to consider our region,” said
Tonda Parks, associate publisher of the Banner. The annual magazine and event
are part of the company’s mission to “strengthen the communities that we serve
by publishing unbiased journalism and helping businesses grow.”
The title “Water Moves Us” references the County’s marketing
slogan and culture: “Home to industrious, innovative and creative individuals,
Dorchester County’s landscape defines not only where—but who—we are.”
The magazine inspires businesses to either build or expand
in Dorchester, while educating the public on interesting projects here. This
year’s articles include: creative business at Vintage Family Farms; regional
research at the Horn Point Laboratory; entrepreneur training and space at the
Four Eleven Kitchen; the next generation at Dorchester Career & Technology
Center; a new “Dorchester Dreams” county song; manufacturing; local activities;
and much more.
Katelin Frase’s family owns Vintage Family Farms, so she was
a guest speaker at the Jan. 22 luncheon. The event capped off with a special
debut performance of “Dorchester Dreams,” an indie song that just released in
January, by singer-songwriter Jayla Elise.
What was the first animal
to ever be cloned?
Bravo to the INIUSA Delmarva team, including special events
manager Jessica Cook, marketing consultant Dave Cannon, and special projects
editor Laura Walter.
Read more here: https://baytobaynews.com/cambridge/stories/dorchester-profile-magazine-explores-economics-entertainment-and-education-for-2025,211937
Read the “Water Moves Us” magazine online at https://sections.iniusa.org
