The HornellSun.com turns 1 year old, the warm welcome is appreciated
Thank you to our readers, our sponsors, and our contributors
By Andrew Harris
One year after launching the Hornell Sun, we hope you will agree that we’ve had great success.
Thank you to all those who have reached out with encouragement and interest in keeping independent local news alive. Now that the daily news is largely gone from our lives; we want it back!! This informs our goal: To create a regular flow of news that is accessible to the community.
The flow of information is the lifeblood of our democracy and our communities and we all crave a reliable source. Our goal is to create a modern version, a “go-to” source for what is happening on a daily basis in Hornell, and Steuben county. The “Sun,” is free to read and share without being blocked by a “paywall” or interrupted with pop up ads, or being required to sign up for a free newsletter. We are able to provide totally free access thanks to our loyal sponsors:
In 2022, nearly a our site had nearly a half-million view and many more engaged us on Facebook. We have been able to create a huge archive of local high school sports reporting and photographs. Local photog legend Steve Harrison has captured a massive catalog of local student athletic in action. As far as we are concerned these images will be preserved “forever,” and this important archive will grow and grow each year.
We’ve been able to dabble in politics and even provided a new venue for political advertisements. Both the local Democrat and Republican party leadership have been great in helping us get our bearings. We encourage all local elected officials, appointed officals, and government offices to send us your important news. It’s easy… News@HornellSun.com
Besides the local news, sports, politics; the Hornell Sun is committed to focusing on culture and community. We have been fortunate to have the talents of Syrena Lynn Carver who captures great images of life in Steuben County and has also been dabbling in government reporting.
Doug Sciorra has been another welcoming source of visual art. Not only has he provided us some of the best “front page” photos, but he has helped with artist features that have been very popular.
The business community has also helped out immensely with open arms. Hornell Partners for Growth have been a wonderful friend and source of news. They do so much work for Hornell and we will be focusing on their good news in the future.
We would not have been able to report a successful first year without our sponsors. These local businesses have put their money into reimagining the local media. The understand that helping to build the Hornell Sun into a robust community news source is good for business. We are investing every penny into the people and information infrastructure of the future.
Looking into 2023 we have lots of aspirations but really only one goal: “To engage you.”
We need your ideas and your letters to the editor. We need your retirement annoucements and stories about a local business. Has your family lost or gained a loved one ? Send us your birth annoucements, obituaries, or anniversary celebrations. Without paywalls or subscriptions your important family news can be published and accessible.
The Sun is going to need to hire more staff in 2023. Have you thought of a gig covering your hometown news? Are you a salesperson? We’d love to meet some motivated people persons to help us grow!!
Have you considered a voluntary contribution to the Sun? If you believe in the mission and want to be part of helping us grow you can kick in any amount via our Paypal link.
We hope to hear from you soon! Email us News@HornellSun.com or use our Contact page(which can be anonymous if you choose.)
Thanks for reading and thanks again for a great first year!!
Looking back at the first day of the HornellSun.com in January 2022
