By Harold Aughton
Founder and Publisher, The 228 Times
One year ago, The 228 Times published its first story with a straightforward goal: to provide reliable, accessible news about the communities along the Route 228 corridor.
There was no newsroom, no large staff, no budget, and no guarantee readers would find us—only one man with a camera, a laptop, and a gray Jeep volunteering his time to bring community news to Southern Butler County, driven by a belief that residents wanted more consistent local coverage of government, schools, businesses, road projects, and elections. One year later—driven by faith—that belief has been confirmed.
The 228 Times has grown into a trusted news source for readers in Mars, Adams, Cranberry, Middlesex, Seven Fields, Valencia, and surrounding areas. From exclusive interviews with local business developers to early coverage of the proposed Mars-Adams merger, we’ve worked to bring readers perspectives and public information they couldn’t find anywhere else—not hidden behind a paywall.
We’ve reported on hyperlocal issues, including school district negotiations and major Route 228 construction, while celebrating key community moments, from new business openings to the Mars boys lacrosse state championship. Important public decisions deserve careful reporting, but community journalism should also introduce readers to the people behind the storefronts, classrooms, and events we pass every day along the way.
The response has exceeded my expectations. In just one year, The 228 Times has grown to more than 3,400 Facebook followers, reached more than 349,000 people on Facebook, and now averages more than 6,000 website visits each month. More importantly, those numbers represent thousands of local residents who call the Route 228 corridor home. They reflect a community that believes everyone should have access to reliable local news—without paywalls or subscriptions.
Yet numbers aren’t our primary measure of success. Real success is when a resident shares an article about a public meeting, when someone reaches out about an issue deserving attention, or when a business owner says new customers found them through our story. When we first started, one woman told me after an Adams Township meeting that she was printing out my articles and sharing them with her neighbors who didn’t have computers. In addition, Cindy Dimond of Dimond Automotive in Valencia recently informed us that they acquired two new customers through our community sponsorship package—it’s working!
The 228 Times was built on a simple promise: No paywalls. No subscriptions. Just news from your neighborhood.
Keeping that promise requires support. A special thank-you to our inaugural and newest sponsors who invested in local journalism this year: McDonald’s of Mars, Veterans Decks, Dunn & Dimond Insurance, Quincy Lofts, Dimond Automotive and the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA. Their support allows us to cover meetings, recognize achievements, tell stories that might otherwise go uncovered, and purchase a cup of coffee now and then.
I also want to recognize the small but mighty staff that works behind the scenes: web developer Dahn Kilroy, sports writer/columnist Rodney Phillips, photographer Jason Swanson, and reporter Ian Schauble. Their talent and commitment make this publication possible. In the near future, I am excited to announce that we will be adding a former colleague and award-winning photographer to our staff—stay tuned!
Most of all, thank you to our readers. You have shared and liked our stories, offered encouragement, corrected us when necessary, and trusted us with news that matters to you.
This fall we will expand our sports and business coverage, introduce new community features, and build deeper local partnerships. One year ago, The 228 Times began as an idea that Southern Butler County deserved consistent, independent reporting. Today, it has become something larger: a publication built not just for the community, but with it.
Thank you for making our first year possible. If you spot my gray Jeep along Route 228 with 1970s Bachman-Turner Overdrive playing on the radio, know that we’re taking care of business, still rolling down the highway—and you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Never any paywalls. No subscriptions—just news from your neighborhood.