Go Deeper: More stories about Sandy Springs @ 20.

My first instinct was to look in the daily metro newspaper, but I found only limited coverage of what, at the time, was important news for my neighborhood. That doesn’t seem right, I thought; with so many issues confronting Georgia’s newest city, there should be a local newspaper for residents to read and rely on for up-to-date information.

I had moved to the unincorporated area 10 years earlier and, busy with work and family, watched from a distance as the Sandy Springs cityhood movement finally succeeded. Now, it seemed that we needed a paper of our own, focusing on everything that was happening in our community.

So, I put my publishing experience to work and, with the help of some family and friends, started Springs Publishing. A year later, in January 2007, the first issue of the Sandy Springs Reporter rolled off the press. (Eventually, Springs Publishing would include five more community publications.)

From the beginning, the intent was to offer readers a credible and colorful source of local news with a singular mission—to provide timely and useful information about our new city. We were focused on the people who shaped the community and made it a lively place to live. They were friends and neighbors, reflecting the diversity and energy of this new hometown.

From that first issue, reader feedback in the form of letters, comments and story ideas grew noticeably — along with the number of ads from a wide variety of businesses that could now market their goods and services in a cost-effective manner to nearby readers.

In the first year, the Sandy Springs Reporter provided extensive coverage of the city’s efforts to establish its own police force, pass a tree ordinance, and adopt a comprehensive development plan, among other key initiatives. The paper also shined a light on some overlooked local historic sites such as Glenridge Hall and Morgan Falls Dam.

Some of our best stories over the years came from local people and places: Friends chatting at the Saturday farmer’s market, a homeowner’s group addressing a city council meeting, a school fundraiser, a neighborhood business owner. Usually, the local matters we covered didn’t make the headlines of a big city daily newspaper or fit the sound bites of radio and television news. Nor do they pop up in a Google search. Yet, they were – and still are – the cornerstone of our mission.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since Sandy Springs became a city and nearly as long since the Sandy Springs Reporter was created to inform and illuminate its residents. Five years ago, I was delighted to welcome a new owner, Keith Pepper, who expanded the print and digital reach of the papers while adhering to the same editorial mission and values.

I’m retired now but continue to call Sandy Springs home, with grown kids and grandchildren nearby. And I still get my local news from the Sandy Springs Reporter. Steve Levene is publisher emeritus.

The post Founding publisher: Incorporation drove paper’s creation appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

That’s why we are excited to announce the transition of Reporter Newspapers and its parent company, Springs Publishing, to a new, local owner, Keith Pepper. Keith is an Atlanta native who has deep roots in the community (he was born at Northside and grew up in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs) and will continue to operate the company with a focus on being present in civic, corporate and cultural events across our coverage areas.

As regular readers of this paper know, Springs Publishing founder/owner Steve Levene built a successful group of local papers by staying focused on the communities they serve. The Springs family includes the four Reporter Newspapers, plus Atlanta INtown and Atlanta Senior Life. These publications are produced by a committed and talented staff of journalists, designers and sales executives.

For 14 years, the Reporter has been the go-to source for metro Atlanta’s most dynamic and influential neighborhoods and cities. Our readers have come to rely on our journalists to know what’s happening: from city council meetings and local school issues to real estate and where to find the newest “best burger.”

By producing high-quality products that reach coveted audiences, local advertisers have been able to grow their businesses using simple but effective marketing plans to connect with their neighbors. It’s because of these engaged constituencies that Reporter Newspapers has been able to survive so many changes in the industry. The plan going forward is to lean into this market leadership and continue to cover the stories that are meaningful to our communities and to do it in fun, engaging and non-sensational ways.

We will keep it old-school with thorough research and clear, concise writing. At the same time, we will experiment with new ways to meet our readers in places they may not expect.

Continue to look for the Reporter in the mail and around town, but also please connect with us on social media. Spread the word: we’re all in this together. While our names may be on the masthead, we want this to be your paper as well! Please reach out with feedback or questions to publisher@springspublishing.com.

The post Publisher’s Note: New Year, New Beginnings appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Through all of the headwinds facing journalism (and newspapers in particular), the space known as hyperlocal media continues to thrive, delivering the type of relevant journalism that is essential to a functioning society and a vibrant community. Providing consistent, reliable news and information while growing a viable print media business requires engaged local ownership.

That’s why we are excited to announce the transition of Atlanta INtown and its parent company, Springs Publishing, to a new, local owner, Keith Pepper. Keith is an Atlanta native who has deep roots in the community and will continue to operate the company with a focus on being present in civic, corporate, and cultural events around town.

Springs Publishing founder/owner Steve Levene built a successful group of local papers by staying focused on the communities they serve. The Springs family includes four Reporter Newspapers covering Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven and Buckhead as well as Atlanta Senior Life. These publications are produced by a talented staff of writers, designers and sales executives.

For more than 25-years, Atlanta INtown has been the go-to source for the city’s most dynamic and influential neighborhoods. Our readers have come to rely on our journalists to know what’s happening: from the city council and school board to real estate and where to find a great burger.

By producing high-quality products that reach coveted audiences, local advertisers have been able to grow their businesses using simple but effective marketing plans to connect with their neighbors. It’s because of these engaged constituencies that INtown has been able to survive so many changes in the industry. The plan going forward is to lean into this market leadership and continue to cover the stories that are meaningful to the community and to do it in fun, engaging, and non-sensational ways.

We will keep it old-school with thorough research and clear, concise writing. At the same time, we will experiment with new ways to meet our readers in places they may not expect. One of those ways is introduced in this issue: our new Spotify channel featuring playlists from Atlanta notables, beginning with Chef Linton Hopkins.

Continue to look for INtown in the mail and around town, but also please connect with us on social media. Spread the word: we’re all in this together. While our names may be on the masthead, we want this to be your paper as well! Please reach out with feedback or questions to publisher@springspublishing.com.

The post Publisher’s Note: New Year, New Beginnings appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

“We think the larger, direct-mailed Reporter will better serve our readers in both convenience and content,” said publisher Steve Levene, who is also the founder of parent company Springs Publishing LLC. “These changes are also designed to better position the printed publications in a digital media environment.”

In the past year, the Reporter group has accelerated efforts to turn the ReporterNewspapers.net website into a daily news source for Brookhaven, Buckhead, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs. The new frequency and format are intended to complement the digital platform.

“The new print edition will aim to help readers understand the big picture of those daily stories, and give some more breathing room to stories about the people and culture that make our communities great,” said Managing Editor John Ruch. “However, one thing won’t change: Our writers will still be at government meetings, community celebrations and the scene of breaking news, which are still at the core of our award-winning coverage of our communities.”

Reporter Newspapers, a 60,000-circulation community newspaper group, was started in 2007 by Springs Publishing LLC. The parent company also publishes Atlanta Intown and Atlanta Senior Life.

The post Reporter Newspapers to change format, delivery in January appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

“Since joining the company in mid-2015, John has taken a leadership role in our editorial department and written a number of important stories focused on community issues,” said Steve Levene, founder and publisher of Springs Publishing LLC, the parent company of Reporter Newspapers. “He’s an experienced and thoughtful journalist.”

John succeeds Joe Earle, who served as managing editor since 2010 and now will assume the new position of editor-at-large. In that role, Joe will work on special sections and projects, including the company’s new monthly publication, Atlanta Senior Life.

Before joining Reporter Newspapers, John was an editor with the Independent Newspaper Group and Gazette Publications in Boston. He lives in Dunwoody.

Springs Publishing LLC, founded in 2006, publishes Reporter Newspapers, Atlanta Senior Life and the monthly Atlanta Intown.

The post John Ruch named managing editor of Reporter Newspapers appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.