Bill Horner III, co-owner of the Chatham News + Record, is no stranger to the inner workings of local news. As former publisher for the Sanford Herald, Horner has the experience to make the most of the News + Record’s position and usher in a new era of Chatham County journalism.
The Chatham News + Record is the result of the recent purchase by The Chatham Media Group LLC of both The Chatham News — published in Siler City since 1924 — and The Chatham Record — in circulation since 1878 in Pittsboro — from their original family-owned publisher, The Chatham News Publishing Company, Inc.
“The Chatham Record actually dates back to 1878, so it’s actually one of the oldest newspapers in North Carolina,” said Horner in an interview with WCHL’s Aaron Keck. “We’re trying to honor the legacy of both the News and the Record by bringing our readers and bringing the community more.”
Horner added, “We’re doing more with the newspaper than I think has been done before — and we’re excited about that.”
With the expected influx of tens of thousands of new Chatham County residents over the next three decades as Chatham Park is established, the Chatham News + Record is on track to serve a community that will certainly be in need of local news.
“A newspaper’s role is to serve the community, to inform and challenge, to celebrate everything that the community is all about,” said Horner. “So we’re working to do that with Chatham … by telling stories in a compelling way, by presenting stores the information in a way that people can really get into, especially for a weekly newspaper like we are.”
Part of that compelling presentation is a newly re-designed website for the News + Record, and a heavy focus on stories, news and reporting that simply cannot be found anywhere else. As Chatham County grows, its new local news source looks to grow alongside it.
“Reporting is what’s really key,” said Horner. “[Twitter is] all well and good for people who need that snapshot of information, but for people who need information told in a way that tells you why it matters, not just what the information is, but why the information matters. We’re going to be the go to place for that kind of interest in. Everybody needs that too.”
You can listen to the full conversation between Aaron Keck, Bill Horner III and Aaron Hall below, and find more Chatham County news and happenings here.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines