Posted by jessdrkn on December 22, 2009
*This entry has an asterisk because while the site is more niche than general community news, it’s mission affects a broad group (anyone with tech in their lives) and it is an online start-up targeting a specific a geographical area, which qualifies it to be included in InOtherNews.us
Location: Philadelphia 
Focus: “Technically Philly is a site covering the community of people who use technology in Philadelphia”
Started: February 2009
Staff: Founded by Christopher Wink, Sean Blanda and Brian James Kirk, who formed the company Technically Media. Wink, Blanda and Kirk run the site, editing and contributing stories. They have one ad sales rep.
Funding: advertising, sponsorships, see their advertising rates in their online ad kit
Site: technicallyphilly.com
From About
From the small group of programmers working on the next big Web application to large businesses that employ hundreds, the Philadelphia technology community is growing. Sometimes, it’s hard to keep track of all of the start-ups, organizations, venture capitalists and businesses that are working to make Philadelphia thrive.
Technically Philly will be there to help you stay on top of all of the news that affects our technology community with a Philadelphia-first mind set, and we will let you know when the next event is happening in your neighborhood. In fact, the three editors of Technically Philly have never even set foot in Silicon Valley.
Sample posts: “TNT: The ballet wants you to take your phone out. No, really”; “Friday Q&A: Catching up with Steve Welch, candidate for congress”; “City of Philadelphia to buy municipal WiFi network from Network Acquisitions”; “Walnut Street Apple store now hiring”
Posted in Pennsylvania | Tagged: advertising, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, regional tech news | Leave a Comment »
Posted by jessdrkn on December 22, 2009
Location: Philadelphia 
Focus: news and opinion in the city, “In-Depth News, Analysis & Commentary for the Philadelphia Region”; sections include “Publius” for opinion; and “VoxPop” for first-person essays
Started: December 2009
Staff: Editor Tom Ferrick, a print newspaper veteran; web designer; graphics designer; and 11 story contributors listed on the site launch.
Funding: non-profit — a project of the Public Media Lab
Site: phlmetropolis.com
From About Us:
Underlying the thinking behind Metropolis is that this region has an abundance of smart, engaged people who care about the area and its future, whose definition of citizenship includes more than just voting and griping about the status quo.Through their unselfish acts, through their volunteer work and their political and civic engagement, they contribute in ways that reverberate far beyond their neighborhoods. Collectively, they serve as the soul and conscience of the Philadelphia region. They are its engines of change.
This website is designed to serve these active and aware citizens, people who have a need to know what is happening in the region that affects them, their families, their neighborhoods and their communities.
Sample stories: “The Frankford Story: In a Free Fall” about a dying neighborhood, part of two-part series; “Police pact inked”; “Special Report: Violence at South Philly High”; “Time to tax natural gas” (opinion piece); “Another ‘F’ for Philly” brief about weak education system
Posted in Pennsylvania | Tagged: Metropolis, non-profit, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, regional news and opinion | Leave a Comment »
Posted by jessdrkn on December 7, 2009
Location: Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 
Focus: revitalization and lifestyle stories from the U.S. rust belt region — metro areas around Great Lakes including Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Youngstown, Cincinnati, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Buffalo; categories include “economic development”, “good ideas”, “editorial”, and “real estate”; also running the Big Urban Photography Project
Started: February 2009
Staff: editors are Angie Schmitt (in Cleveland) and Kate Giammarise (in Pittsburgh), who used to be reporters at the Toledo Blade. Ms. Schmitt is a graduate student in Urban Studies/Public Policy at Cleveland State University, according to the site. Ms. Giammarise is Pittsburgh-based journalist who covers the steel industry; there are eight contributors from around and outside region
Funding: self-funded to start; considering grants
Site: rustwire.com
From About:
This site is intended to consolidate thoughtful, constructive stories about post-industrial cities across the Rust Belt. It was developed by two former newspaper reporters with ties to five Rust Belt cities, and it is maintained with help from half a dozen others from across the region.
Our aim present a balanced, realistic view of our cities, the challenges they face and the assets they maintain.
Sample stories: “A summer of Rust Belt road trips…”; “Pittsburgh: The Paris of Appalachia” Q&A with “Paris of Appalachia” book author; “[Braddock Mayor] Fetterman named to Atlantic’s ‘Brave Thinkers’ list; “Why Detroit will survive”; “What Las Vegas can learn from the Rust Belt”
Posted in Ohio, Pennsylvania | Tagged: Cleveland, economic development, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, regional news, regional trends, Rust Belt | 1 Comment »
Posted by jessdrkn on December 6, 2009
Location: Corona Del Mar, California 
Focus: news from a Southern California beach community, in Orange County: “Our mission is to provide solid news coverage of the village of Corona del Mar in a timely, fair and accurate [manner]; mostly original reporting; links to Orange County Register (daily paper of record) for other local news; blogroll of links to civic groups and municipal resources
Started: March 2009
Staff: Founder Amy Senck, see below, is a Corona Del Mar resident, freelance writer and a former newspaper reporter
Funding:
Site: coronadelmartoday.com
From About:
Corona del Mar Today was born out of the desire to bring daily journalism coverage to our community, which is small enough to be overlooked by bigger publications but interesting enough to need its own voice.
Its founder, Amy Senk, was educated at the University of Missouri, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1989. She spent several years as a beat reporter in Kansas City before moving to California in 1992. She has lived in Corona del Mar since 2000 and is a freelance writer and journalist.
Sample stories: “Quiet Woman [restaurant] holding auction today”; “Stolen watch returned after savvy police work”; “Local football team going to youth superbowl”; photo gallery of Christmas Walk
Posted in California | Tagged: advertising, California, Corona del Mar, hyperlocal | Leave a Comment »
Posted by jessdrkn on December 6, 2009
Location: Bakersfield, California 
Focus: “Expressing community through arts, culture and civic involvement”; information categories include “arts & culture”, “green living”, “non-profits and volunteering”, “quality of life”; calendar listings
Started: August 2009
Staff: executive director/managing editor; board of directors; solicitation for contributors
Funding: non-profit, pending 501(c)3 status; donations
Site: bakersfieldexpress.org
From About Us:
The content comes from a mix of independent reporting, community contributed columns and photos, and reader commentary. The website offers an independent, alternative source of local news and information, as well as an opportunity for outreach among community groups.Bakersfield Express is a professional and ethical voice in the community, and offers a place for community members to express themselves. We hold local government accountable through watchdog reporting, offer a central online meeting place for the arts community, and support eco-friendly lifestyle practices. We also build community by encouraging people to volunteer through our nonprofit portal and send in events for our community calendar.
Sample stories: “Artists represent isolation, loss associated with homelessness”; “Kern County has power to be renewable energy leader”; “Dia de los Muertos celebrations are to die for”; “Community concert season off to a jiving start”; “Help needed for tree planting, grove cleanup”
Posted in California | Tagged: 501(c)3, arts, Bakersfield, California, non-profit, watchdog | Leave a Comment »
Posted by jessdrkn on December 6, 2009
Location: Arlington, Virginia 
Focus: watchdog, investigative journalism in Virginia; conservative, small government/anti-tax slant; original reporting and some narrative coverage from other media sources
Started: October 2009
Staff: Paige Winfield, editor and writer
Funding: non-profit, 501(c)3, a project of The Franklin Center for Public Integrity, by the Sam Adams Alliance.
Site: virginia.watchdog.org
From About:
Virginia Watchdog is dedicated to balanced news reporting that promotes responsible state and local government.
The goal of Virginia Watchdog is to uncover the actions of government officials and agencies, offering carefully researched data, context and analysis.
We will investigate and inform the public about waste, fraud, abuse, ethical questions and safety concerns involving the use of taxpayer dollars. We’ll also applaud government services that are run efficiently and make exceptional use of funds.
Sample stories: “Citizens can check congressional office costs”; “Hamilton is third to resign on ethics charges”; “Imaginary Virginia districts reported on federal stimulus Web site”; “WaPo mention and Chesapeake Bay battles” news roundup.
Posted in Virginia | Tagged: Arlington, Franklin Center for Public Integrity, non-profit, Sam Adams Alliance, Virginia, watchdog journalism | Leave a Comment »
