Why Local Journalism Still Matters | Roots and Branches of Lehi with Sally Francom
Sally Francom explores the enduring legacy of the Lehi Free Press, the evolution of local news, and the vital role of truth-telling in a growing town.
Sally Francom
The Lehi Free Press
At a Glance
Archive Scoring
Introduction
In this archival record, Sally Francom provides an intimate look at the matrilineal legacy of local journalism in Lehi, Utah. As the daughter of Betty Fowler—who served as the editor of the Lehi Free Press for over two decades—Sally traces her journey from a child doing homework in a Main Street newsroom to the publisher who resurrected the paper in 2016. The narrative explores the transition of Lehi from a small farming community where information was traded across kitchen tables to a bustling tech hub requiring professional, neutral oversight of local government.
The historical weight of the Lehi Free Press is examined, stretching back to its 19th-century roots and its survival through the 2007 economic crash. Sally reflects on the period of silence between 2007 and 2015 when Lehi was without a dedicated paper, emphasizing the communal loss that occurs when there is no record of the small but significant events—the high school sports, the municipal road projects, and the passings of long-time residents. This record captures the shift from the 'one-woman show' of the 1970s to the modern digital-first news source that still honors its print roots to serve the senior community.
Sally offers profound insight into the 'dairy farm' nature of weekly journalism—a relentless cycle of deadlines that requires constant stewardship. She discusses the increasing challenges of the industry, from rising postage costs to the polarization of public discourse, and the personal 'thick skin' required to handle digital criticism. Yet, the core of the story remains a love letter to her hometown, defined by the belief that a community is only as strong as the truths it chooses to document.
Historically, this conversation serves as a bridge between eras. It documents the folklore of Lehi—including memories of the Wing Mortuary and local legends like the Ted Bundy sighting—while addressing contemporary 'big city problems' such as growth-related crime and homelessness. It is a testament to the fact that while the medium of news changes, the human need for a shared, accurate community record remains constant.
Ultimately, this record preserves the philosophy of a community archivist. It highlights the importance of holding local government accountable and the deep sense of duty that drives those who work for 'less than they ought to' because they value the collective story of their neighbors. It is a reflection on what endures: the family-loving vibe of Lehi and the necessity of independent voices to protect it.
Episode Overview
A detailed look at the topics, people, and context of this conversation.
Sally Francom, the publisher of the Lehi Free Press and daughter of legendary editor Betty Fowler, joins the podcast to discuss the vital role of local journalism in Lehi. The episode covers the historical timeline of the newspaper from the late 1800s through its 2016 revival, detailing Sally's childhood memories of the newsroom and her professional transition from television sales to local publishing. The conversation spans topics of municipal growth, the changing landscape of journalism, and the logistical hurdles of maintaining a weekly print presence in the digital age.
Sally describes the evolution of the paper's operation, comparing her mother’s prolific solo work to the current team of 20 stringers and photographers. She highlights the specific role the paper plays for Lehi’s senior population while explaining their robust digital footprint. The discussion moves into the complexities of neutrality in local politics, the impact of the 'tech boom' on community dynamics, and the introduction of more serious crimes and social issues into the local news cycle.
This archive captures a moment of transition for Lehi, reflecting a period of intense development and the corresponding need for transparency in city council and school board decisions. The emotional tone is one of resilient stewardship, acknowledging the exhaustion and financial difficulty of the business while doubling down on the conviction that Lehi is 'lucky' to have a dedicated news source. It serves as an essential record of the town's shifting identity through the eyes of one of its most prominent narrators.
Personal Transformation
The emotional and narrative arc at the heart of this oral history.
Sally Francom's narrative is one of a profound return to roots, evolving from a child who literally did her homework in the shadows of a printing press to a woman who shouldered the immense burden of reviving a dying community institution. Her early life was defined by the presence of her mother, Betty Fowler, a prolific writer who served as Lehi’s 'original Google.' While Sally initially followed a career path that took her away from Lehi into the corporate worlds of television sales and web publishing in the Bay Area, her transformation began with a personal upheaval and a return to her hometown. This return was not merely a change in geography, but a reconnection with a familial and civic duty that had been dormant for years.
The turning point occurred in 2013 when Sally moved back to a Lehi that had lost its voice; between 2007 and 2015, the city lacked its own newspaper. Encouraged by her sister, Sally underwent a shift from a media professional to a community steward. She describes the terrifying realization of starting a weekly publication in the digital age, comparing it to starting a dairy where the 'cows need to be milked' every single day without fail. This was a transition from individual career success to a form of sacrificial leadership, where she now runs a separate marketing firm specifically to fund the newspaper as a 'gift' to the town.
Through this process, Sally became a protector of local truth. She moved from being 'the editor’s daughter' to being the architect of a professionalized news organization. Her transformation is marked by a move from fear and 'thick skin' development to a deep-seated confidence in the necessity of local journalism. She has become the bridge between the small-town agricultural past of her father, a dry farmer, and the high-tech, high-growth future of Silicon Slopes Lehi.
Ultimately, Sally’s growth is reflected in her commitment to the 'relentless dog' of the weekly deadline. She has embraced the stewardship of Lehi’s narrative, ensuring that the community's joys and 'growing pains' are documented with a professional rigor that honors her mother’s legacy while meeting the demands of a modern, complex city. She has transformed into the primary guardian of Lehi’s collective memory.
Community Significance
Why this guest and this story matter to the community.
Sally Francom and the Lehi Free Press represent the vital 'central nervous system' of the community. Without her intervention to restart the paper in 2016, Lehi would have remained a 'news desert,' a dangerous state for a city experiencing such explosive growth. The significance of her work lies in the creation of a shared reality for residents; while national politics often divide, the Free Press focuses on the 'new road on 21st North' or 'parking at the high school,' issues that bind the daily lives of neighbors together regardless of their political leanings.
The newspaper fulfills a critical need for governmental accountability. Sally notes that most citizens do not attend city council meetings, and without a dedicated news source to report on development decisions, multi-family housing projects, and retail developments, the government would operate without the sunlight of public awareness. Her commitment to neutrality ensures that the paper serves as a trusted mediator in an increasingly polarized world, providing the facts necessary for residents to make informed decisions about their own city.
Beyond politics, the paper serves as a cultural anchor for Lehi’s senior community. By continuing to provide a physical print product, Sally ensures that the city’s elders remain connected to the community’s pulse, preventing the isolation that often accompanies rapid technological shifts. This 'gift' to the seniors preserves their place in the town’s social fabric, acknowledging their value as the keepers of Lehi's history.
Furthermore, the Free Press strengthens the community by celebrating local youth and sports, creating a permanent record of achievement that fosters civic pride. The existence of the paper gives Lehi a sense of identity that distinguishes it from the surrounding suburban sprawl. Sally’s work ensures that Lehi remains a distinct place with a distinct story, rather than just another stop along the I-15 corridor.
"Growing up in a small town, I learned that connections go beyond blood. They're built through shared experiences, friendships, and the moments we celebrate together."
— Ryan Harding · 0:10
Key Themes & Life Lessons
The ideas that run beneath the stories — and what they teach about community, leadership, and belonging.
Community Stewardship and Civic Duty
Family Legacy and Multigenerational Service
The Resilience of Local Journalism
Urban Growth and the Loss of Small-Town Identity
Journalistic Integrity and Editorial Ethics
The Evolution of Community Memory in the Digital Age
Local History
Community Building
Wisdom & Life Lessons
The most striking piece of wisdom from Sally is that 'Accuracy, truthfulness, and honesty is all you have as far as your reputation.' In the news business, and in life, once your word is doubted, your utility to the community is extinguished. This highlights the weight of words and the responsibility that comes with having a platform.
Another profound insight is her observation that 'The neighborhood raised us.' This suggests that a community's strength is found in its informal networks of care—neighbor ladies looking out for twins and farmers supporting one another. It is a reminder that the most important social safety nets are often the ones we build with our next-door neighbors.
Sally also provides wisdom on the nature of growth: 'The other side of being pro-family is you have to find a place for these people to live.' This is a masterclass in nuanced thinking, showing that every positive community value has a logistical consequence that must be managed with foresight and compassion, rather than just ideology.
Key Takeaways
- 1Local news serves as a critical public service, providing accountability for city government that larger entities often overlook.
- 2The revival of the Lehi Free Press in 2016 was driven by a sense of community obligation rather than financial profit.
- 3Journalistic integrity is built on absolute neutrality and accuracy, which is increasingly challenged by social media trolling.
- 4Small-town growth brings complex 'big city' challenges, including increased crime and housing dilemmas, which the paper must navigate.
- 5Print media remains a vital lifeline for the senior community, even as digital readership grows.
- 6Community memory is preserved through the daily, 'prolific' work of editors who document everything from police blotters to high school sports.
Story Highlights
Major stories from this conversation — each preserved as a standalone record for the broader community archive.
Sally Francom recalls her mother, Betty Fowler, who served as the editor of the Lehi Free Press for 23 years starting in 1970. Betty began as a temporary fill-in but became the town's central information hub, often described as 'Lehi's original Google.' People would visit the Fowler home to ask for directions to the police station or cemetery. Despite having no formal journalism background, Betty was a gifted writer who single-handedly produced the entire weekly paper, covering everything from the police blotter and obituaries to city hall meetings in a town of 4,000 to 5,000 people.
Emotional Significance
There is a deep sense of reverence for a woman who held the community's narrative in her hands during a period of transition.
Why This Matters
It documents the era when local news was personified by a single, trusted neighbor rather than an anonymous digital feed.
Life Lesson
A gift for communication and a willingness to serve can make one person an indispensable pillar of their community.
Transformation
The role of the editor transformed from a mere job into a public service position that acted as the town's social and informational glue.
What It Reveals About Sally Francom
Sally views her work through the lens of her mother's exhaustion and dedication, showing she values the historical weight of her family name.
What It Reveals About the Community
Lehi was once a place where the local newspaper editor was essentially the town's concierge and historian.
Community Value Preserved
The memory of personal, high-touch community service and the importance of a single, reliable voice in local affairs.
For future generations: It illustrates how community information was managed and shared before the internet, highlighting the personal touch of historical record-keeping.
After the Provo Daily Herald abandoned Lehi's weekly paper during the 2007 market crash, Lehi was left without a dedicated newspaper for eight years. Sally Francom, after living in the Bay Area and returning to Utah in 2013, was convinced by her sister to restart the Lehi Free Press in 2016. Despite the terrifying landscape of modern journalism, Sally secured the trademark and DBA, viewing the revival as a 'gift to the community' rather than a profit-driven venture.
Sally compares running a weekly newspaper to running a dairy farm: the 'cows always need to be milked.' Because the paper publishes legal and public notices, they are bound to a strict, relentless editorial timeline. This commitment creates a sense of reliability and trust with the community, especially the senior population, even though increasing costs in printing and postage mean the paper often loses money on every subscription.
Sally, a twin and the youngest of ten children, recalls growing up in a Lehi where the 'neighborhood raised us.' Her father was a dry farmer and her mother was the editor. She describes a community where neighbor ladies would tell the children when it was time to go home, reflecting a high level of communal trust and shared supervision.
Sally reflects on the dramatic changes in Lehi caused by the tech boom. She notes the emergence of 'big city problems' that were non-existent in her youth, such as homelessness and high-level crime. She recalls a 2018 political debate where she asked about homelessness, and the audience was shocked to realize it was even a factor in Lehi. She also points to the increased workload of the Lehi Police Department's Special Victims Unit as a tragic sign of the town's growth.
Sally shares a story about a piece of local folklore: her father was convinced he saw Ted Bundy's infamous Volkswagen Beetle parked in Lehi's Wines Park during Bundy's active years. Sally’s sister wrote an opinion piece about their father's recollection, and when it was posted online, it went viral. People were fascinated and shocked by the idea that such a notorious figure might have moved through their quiet town.
"Lehi is lucky to have us, I'll be honest. Because most cities don't have a newspaper. They're just gone. No. And not only do they not have a newspaper, they don't have a news entity."
— Sally Francom · 11:32
Historical Preservation & Legacy
What this interview preserves about community history, cultural legacy, and intergenerational knowledge.
Preservation Value: Exceptional
This interview is of exceptional value because it documents the survival of Lehi's primary historical record-keeping institution. It provides an essential link between the 19th-century origins of Lehi journalism and its 21st-century digital transformation. The preservation of Betty Fowler's legacy through Sally's oral history ensures that the 'how' and 'why' of Lehi’s documented history are understood, making it a foundational document for any future study of the city.
Why This Episode Matters Historically
This episode is a landmark recording because it documents the survival and evolution of the primary historical record for Lehi. The Lehi Free Press traces its lineage back to the 1800s, and this interview captures the critical moment when that lineage was nearly extinguished and then miraculously revived. As an oral history, it provides a 'meta-narrative'—it is the history of the history-keepers, explaining how the town’s events are selected, edited, and preserved for posterity. Historically, this transcript captures the specific challenges of local journalism during the transition from the 'small town' era (4,000 residents) to the 'Silicon Slopes' era. It preserves the memory of Betty Fowler’s 23-year tenure, offering a rare look at the labor-intensive reality of 20th-century weekly journalism where one woman wrote the entire paper by hand and typewriter. This contrast with the modern era of '20 contributors' and 'Adobe InDesign' provides a vital case study in industrial and cultural change within the American West.
What Future Generations May Learn
Future generations will learn that community identity is not an accident but a choice made by dedicated individuals. Fifty years from now, researchers will look back at this episode to understand how Lehi navigated the transition from a farming village to a technological hub. They will see that even in the age of the internet, the need for a curated, local news source remained paramount to maintaining social cohesion and governmental transparency. They will learn about the 'growing pains' of the early 21st century—the emergence of 'big city problems' like homelessness and crime in what was once a quiet agricultural town. Sally’s reflections on the 'neighborhood raising the kids' will serve as a poignant reminder of a social model that emphasized communal responsibility over individual isolation. This interview provides a blueprint for how a community can preserve its soul while embracing inevitable growth. Finally, future residents will understand the economic and emotional cost of 'the truth.' Sally’s transparency about losing money on subscriptions and funding the paper through a separate business will teach future historians about the precarious nature of local journalism. It will stand as a testament to the value of civic service, showing that some of a town's most important institutions are built on passion and legacy rather than profit.
Community Memory Preserved
This archive protects the memory of the Fowler family legacy, specifically the 23-year editorship of Betty Fowler. It ensures her role as 'Lehi's original Google' is not forgotten, documenting how she served as the information hub for the city long before the internet existed. The transcript preserves the daily rhythms of the old Free Press office on Main Street, where children did homework amidst the chaos of a weekly deadline, creating a vivid picture of Lehi’s mid-century civic life. It preserves the 'small town folklore' that gives Lehi its unique character, such as the persistent belief and reporting of a Ted Bundy sighting at Wines Park. While potentially mythological, such stories are essential components of community memory, reflecting the fears and conversations of the time. The interview also protects the memory of the physical layout of the town, from the proximity of the mortuary to the newspaper office to the locations of old gas stations and police stations. Crucially, it preserves the memory of the 'news desert' years (2007–2015). By documenting why the paper failed under corporate ownership and how it was saved by a local resident, the archive ensures that future generations understand the fragility of their local record. It also captures the transition of Lehi's landscape from the 'dry farms' of Sally's father to the multi-family developments of the present day.
Local Knowledge Preserved
The interview preserves specialized knowledge regarding the 'Broadsheet' printing process and the logistical challenges of operating a local newspaper in Utah County, including the partnership with the Transcript Bulletin in Tooele. It captures the specific 'AP style' editorial standards used to maintain professional credibility in a small-town setting. Additionally, it preserves the nuance of Lehi’s unique demographic challenges, such as the tension between being 'pro-family' and the resulting necessity for high-density development to house those families.
Intergenerational Lessons
The primary lesson for future leaders is the 'Dairy Principle'—the idea that significant community contributions require relentless, daily commitment. Sally's comparison of a newspaper to a dairy farm teaches that consistency is the foundation of trust. You cannot serve a community only when it is convenient; you must show up every Tuesday, every week, for years, to build the credibility necessary to be a 'truth teller.' For entrepreneurs and community builders, Sally offers a lesson in 'Sacrificial Stewardship.' She demonstrates that some things are worth doing even if they aren't profitable. By using her marketing firm to subsidize the newspaper, she teaches that a successful life is not measured by a single balance sheet, but by the health of the community one leaves behind. This is a powerful counter-narrative to the profit-at-all-costs mindset of the modern era. To the youth of Lehi, the lesson is one of 'Thick Skin and Integrity.' In an era of online trolling and 'fake news' accusations, Sally’s experience shows that maintaining your ethics and pursuing accuracy is the only way to survive public criticism. She teaches that you don't need to engage with every detractor; you simply need to keep publishing the truth. Finally, the interview emphasizes the importance of 'Neutrality as a Virtue.' In a polarized world, Sally teaches that focusing on local issues—the things that actually affect a neighbor’s daily life—is the most effective way to strengthen the social fabric. Her advice to young journalists to 'read from the left and the right and stay in the middle' is a timeless lesson in intellectual discipline and civic responsibility.
Community & Cultural Insights
Lehi is revealed as a community in a state of high-stakes transition. The interview highlights the shift from an agrarian society, where Sally’s father was a dry farmer, to a modern city facing 'big city problems' like the SVU crime unit’s heavy workload and emerging homelessness. This tension between the 'family loving vibe' and the reality of rapid growth is the defining cultural characteristic of modern Lehi.
The transcript provides a window into the Mormon (LDS) cultural influence on local growth, noting that large families necessitate aggressive development. This creates a unique local political climate where being 'pro-development' is often viewed through the lens of being 'pro-family,' a distinct cultural nuance of the region.
We see the enduring value of the 'Senior Community' in Lehi. They are the most loyal consumers of the newspaper, representing a demographic that values tradition, physical artifacts, and local history. Their presence acts as a stabilizer for the town, even as the 'tech boom' brings in thousands of new residents who primarily consume news digitally.
The role of 'public service' in Lehi is also highlighted. Sally notes that local politicians and her own staff are often 'doing it for less than they ought to be' because they care about the community. This reveals a culture of volunteerism and civic duty that persists despite the town's modernization.
Finally, the episode shows that Lehi is a town that still values its 'Main Street' identity. Despite the sprawl, the physical locations of the Free Press office, the mortuary, and the city council chambers remain the landmarks of the community's collective consciousness. The town is still small enough that a sighting of a Volkswagen in a park can become a decades-long story.
Historical Context
The Lehi Free Press has deep roots extending back to the late 1800s, serving as a primary chronicler of the city's transition from a rural farming community to a major hub in the Silicon Slopes tech corridor. During the mid-20th century, the paper was a central fixture of daily life, with editors like Betty Fowler serving as 'Lehi's original Google'—a human repository of community facts and history. The mid-2000s marked a dark period for local media in Utah County as national market crashes and ownership changes led to the closure of several historic weeklies, creating a 'news desert' in Lehi from 2007 to 2015. The revival of the paper in 2016 by Sally Francom represents a broader movement in independent local journalism to reclaim the narrative of growing cities from decentralized social media platforms.
Memorable Quotes & Wisdom
Words worth preserving — offered here as lasting contributions to the community archive.
"Growing up in a small town, I learned that connections go beyond blood. They're built through shared experiences, friendships, and the moments we celebrate together."
— Ryan Harding
0:10
Reflects the core mission of Lehi's community builders and the shift from agricultural roots to modern social connectivity.
It establishes the foundational philosophy of community storytelling—that shared narrative is what transforms a group of people into a community.
"She was sort of like Lehi's original Google. And people would come to our house when I was growing up and ask questions like, 'Where's the police station? Where's the cemetery? Where's the gas station?'"
— Sally Francom
2:02
Highlights the transition of information sharing in Lehi from word-of-mouth and local characters to digital databases.
It personifies community memory through Sally's mother, Betty Fowler, showing how local knowledge was once centered in trusted individuals before the digital age.
"The Lehigh Free Press is a historic name in Lehi. It goes back to the 1800s. One was called the Lehigh Sun and one was called the Lehigh Free Press. Eventually, they basically joined together and the Lehigh Free Press was published consistently all through the late 1800s, all through the 1900s."
— Sally Francom
2:49
Demonstrates the deep institutional roots that predate the current tech boom in Lehi.
Provides a timeline for one of Lehi's most enduring institutions, illustrating the continuity of local record-keeping.
"I honestly look back at that and go, 'What was I thinking?' ... Lehigh Free Press is essentially a gift to the community."
— Sally Francom
4:08
Highlights the fragile nature of local news and the individual efforts required to keep Lehi's voice independent.
Acknowledges the personal sacrifice and sense of civic duty required to maintain local journalism in an era of media consolidation.
"Accuracy, truthfulness, honesty is all you have as far as your reputation. So when people accuse us of publishing fake news... at the beginning it really irritated me when people would like question our ethics."
— Sally Francom
10:27
Speaks to the importance of a shared reality for Lehi citizens, grounded in verified local facts rather than national rhetoric.
Addresses the modern challenge of maintaining trust and integrity in a polarized political climate.
"Lehi is lucky to have us, I'll be honest. Because most cities don't have a newspaper. They're just gone. No. And not only do they not have a newspaper, they don't have a news entity."
— Sally Francom
11:32
Reminds residents that the presence of local media is a privilege that supports transparency and local democracy.
Points to the growing problem of 'news deserts' where small towns lose their ability to document their own history.
"We like to joke that the neighborhood raised us. Because you know we would when we were kids we have the neighbor ladies say, 'Hey, you two you two twins. You go home now. It's time for you to go back home.'"
— Sally Francom
12:28
Evokes nostalgia for a style of Lehi living that many older residents remember and younger residents seek to emulate.
Captures the essence of Lehi's mid-20th-century communal parenting style, emphasizing the transition from a 'village' to a 'city.'
"We try to be the truth tellers and we're also trying to tell a lot of the positive stories that are happening. And we also try to just share what's good and maybe not so good about the community."
— Sally Francom
13:47
Reflects the balanced perspective needed to handle Lehi's rapid transformation without losing sight of its core values.
Defines the dual role of a community archivist: both a watchdog for problems and a champion for local successes.
"If nobody's watching what's happening in city council then how does everybody know what happened in city council? Most people aren't tuning in to those meetings."
— Sally Francom
17:42
Emphasizes accountability in a city undergoing massive development and infrastructure changes.
Highlights the practical function of journalism as the 'eyes and ears' of the public in local governance.
"I stand in awe of my mother. Like I can't believe she did it all by herself. We literally have 20 up to 20 contributors in any given issue... And she did the whole thing herself, including the layout."
— Sally Francom
19:02
Celebrates Betty Fowler as a pioneer for professional women in Lehi and the incredible productivity of the 'small town' era.
A testament to the work ethic and capability of the women who anchored Lehi's institutions in previous decades.
"My dad was convinced that he saw Ted Bundy's Volkswagen at Wines Park... it may be folklore, but anyway, that was we kind of laughed about it because, you know, I don't know. It could have been true."
— Sally Francom
23:56
Reflects the way Lehi residents processed the 'big city' threats of the past through shared stories at local landmarks like Wines Park.
Shows how local legend and major historical events intersect in the memory of a small town.
Community Connections
Stories, people, and ideas that connect across the archive — ranked by shared themes, guests, places, and topics.
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Related Themes
(4)Civic Leadership
Profiles of the people who shaped local government, planning, and policy in Lehi — and what their stories reveal about what good leadership actually looks like at the community level.
Community Resilience
How Lehi residents have navigated challenge, change, growth, and hardship — and emerged with optimism, connection, and a deeper appreciation for what they've built together.
Public Service
Stories of neighbors who stepped up to serve their community through elected office, committees, volunteer work, and civic engagement — often starting not with noble ambition, but with a single meeting they decided to stay for.
Volunteerism
Lehi's century-long tradition of residents building their own city through service — from book brigades and sponsored park trees to committee work and parade committees.
Ways to Serve
(4)Facilitate Donations for Infant Funerals
Wing Mortuary
Engage with Local Entrepreneurs
From Rents to Roots Podcast
Volunteer with the Lehi Historical Society
Lehi Historical Society
Volunteer for the Lehi Arts Council
Lehi Arts Council
Explore More Stories & Themes
Related topics and community themes that connect this episode to the broader archive.
Community Stewardship and Civic Duty
Explore this theme in the archive →
Family Legacy and Multigenerational Service
Explore this theme in the archive →
The Resilience of Local Journalism
Explore this theme in the archive →
Urban Growth and the Loss of Small-Town Identity
Explore this theme in the archive →
Journalistic Integrity and Editorial Ethics
Explore this theme in the archive →
The Evolution of Community Memory in the Digital Age
Explore this theme in the archive →
Connected People, Places & Stories
Mother/Founder
Editor of the Lehi Free Press for 23 years; established the family legacy.
Legacy Business
The primary subject of historical preservation and current community service.
historical community partner
The mortuary provided obituaries to the paper for decades, representing the small-town interconnectedness of Lehi.
Sister
Encouraged the revival of the paper in 2016.
geographic center of operations
The original paper office and Sally's childhood home were located near the historic Main Street corridor.
Core Theme
The central pillar of community identity in the interview.
subject of oversight
The paper views reporting on city council as its primary duty for government accountability.
Community Setting
The physical and cultural landscape undergoing rapid growth.
local folklore/viral content
A story about a potential sighting of the serial killer in Lehi's Wines Park remains one of the paper's most memorable archives.
Sister Business
Provides financial stability enabling the paper's survival.
Editor
She acts as the primary curator of Lehi's memory and current events.
Historical Site
Location of a local piece of folklore involving Ted Bundy.
Public Issue
The defining political and logistical challenge of modern Lehi.
sponsor
Supports the archival project focused on community connections.
sponsor
Supports the archival project focused on community connections.
core value
The central mission of the podcast and the newspaper discussed.
Suggested Future Guests & Topics
Donna Barnes, Sally’s sister, should be interviewed to understand the 'behind the scenes' push that led to the newspaper's revival and her own perspective on Lehi's history. Long-time contributors and 'stringers' who have written for the paper for decades would provide a more granular look at the evolution of local reporting. Members of the Wing family at the mortuary could offer a unique perspective on Lehi’s history through the lens of life, death, and the obituaries that Sally once biked across town to collect. Former city council members who served during the 'news desert' years of 2007-2015 could provide insight into what it was like to govern a city without a local news watchdog.
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This interview provides a deep dive into the mechanics and philosophy of community journalism in a rapidly growing mid-sized city. Researchers should note the guest's distinction between a 'newspaper' and a 'news source,' highlighting the shift toward digital first-response while maintaining the weekly print tradition for archival and senior-readership purposes. The transcript captures the existential threat to local news posed by rising postal and printing costs, balanced against the ethical necessity of 'truth-telling' in an era of digital misinformation. Key patterns include the transition of Lehi from a farming-based social structure (where neighbors 'raised the children') to a professional-tech structure where the newspaper must work harder to create social cohesion. The episode also documents the technical shift from manual layout (Betty Fowler) to digital tools like Adobe InDesign and automated assignment spreadsheets, reflecting broader industrial changes.
Full Transcript
Transcript source: AI-generated. This transcript has been lightly edited for readability.
Chapter 1: Welcome to Roots and Branches of Lehi 0:00 Welcome to Roots and Branches of Lehi, 0:03 3 seconds the podcast where we get to know the faces, stories, and lives that make up our community. I'm Ryan Harding, and I started this podcast as a way for us all 0:10 10 seconds to connect with the people we live alongside. Growing up in a small town, I learned that connections go beyond blood. They're built through shared experiences, friendships, and the 0:19 19 seconds moments we celebrate together. Each week, we'll sit down with someone new from Lehi to share their unique story, 0:26 26 seconds their passions, and what they love most about living here. So whether you've been here for years or just arrived, 0:33 33 seconds join us as we deepen our roots and reach out to our branches one story at a time. Chapter 2: Meet Sally Fowler Francom 0:45 45 seconds Welcome Sally Fowler Frankham to the uh podcast Roots and Branches of Lehi. Uh excited to have you here. So get to get 0:52 52 seconds to know you a little bit and uh thanks Ryan. 0:54 54 seconds Now you were just telling me a little bit so let's kind of dive into this. So, so originally you are from Lehi then? Chapter 3: Growing Up in Lehi 1:00 1 minute Yes. I grew up five blocks from here on 517 North Center Street. Okay. So, so super close. Mhm. 1:06 1 minute, 6 seconds And and you lived here until you were 17, I think you just told me. Yeah, I left I left to go to BYU. Okay. 1:12 1 minute, 12 seconds At that point, but I grew up right here basically on Main Street. Okay. Chapter 4: The Legacy of the Lehi Free Press 1:17 1 minute, 17 seconds My mother, Betty Fowler, was the editor of the Lehigh Free Press all through my growing up years. So she 1:24 1 minute, 24 seconds started by filling in for a woman who got sick and never left. So that was in 1970. Okay. 1:31 1 minute, 31 seconds So uh my mother was the editor of the Lehigh Free Press. It was a weekly at that time. Yeah. 1:36 1 minute, 36 seconds And um she did that for 23 years. So that was all part of my growing up experience. Her office was literally just west of your office here, right here on Main Street. 1:45 1 minute, 45 seconds Yeah. 1:45 1 minute, 45 seconds So as a kid, I would come over here after school and hang out with my mom and do my homework at at her office. And it was it was great. And was that was 1:54 1 minute, 54 seconds her background in had she had any journalism, you know, background? 1:57 1 minute, 57 seconds Um, she was a cultured lady. She was a writing. She had a gift. Yeah. 2:02 2 minutes, 2 seconds Which I don't have. And she was sort of like Lehi's original Google. And people would come to our house when I was growing up and ask questions like, 2:10 2 minutes, 10 seconds "Where's the police station? Where's the cemetery? Where's the gas station?" I mean, we were like the she was sort of like 2:17 2 minutes, 17 seconds in the middle of everything. So, so I mean back in the in those days, Lehi was a town of about I don't know four or 5 thousand people. 2:25 2 minutes, 25 seconds Everybody pretty much knew everybody and and mom was writing stories from the police blotter to the helping with obituaries to covering city hall to 2:35 2 minutes, 35 seconds doing all of it. And so she basically wrote the entire paper herself. 2:39 2 minutes, 39 seconds So you got quite the legacy there. I mean as far as you know history and stuff like that. That's I mean really her story is quite unique. I mean it's a family legacy. It is. 2:49 2 minutes, 49 seconds And so, so the Lehigh Free Press is a historic name in Lehi. It goes back to the 1800s. Okay. 2:55 2 minutes, 55 seconds So, there were two competing newspapers at the time. One was called the Lehigh Sun and one was called the Lehigh Free Press. Eventually, the Lehigh Sun and the Lehigh Free Press, you know, 3:04 3 minutes, 4 seconds basically joined together and the Lehigh Free Press was published consistently all through the late 1800s, all through the 1900s. 3:12 3 minutes, 12 seconds Okay. 3:12 3 minutes, 12 seconds Up until 2007, it had gone through some ownership changes. 3:16 3 minutes, 16 seconds Yeah. And the most recent one was it was acquired by the Provo Daily Herald. Okay. And um they acquired two other papers, 3:24 3 minutes, 24 seconds the American Fork Citizen and the Pleasant Grove Review. And then when the market crashed in 2007, they abandoned those weeklies. 3:31 3 minutes, 31 seconds And uh there was basically no newspaper in Lehi from 2007 to 2015. Okay. 3:38 3 minutes, 38 seconds And I did the legal work to acquire the name and the DBA and the federal trademark. So, I moved back to Utah in Chapter 5: Reviving the Newspaper After Closure 3:46 3 minutes, 46 seconds 2013 and my I had I had I raised my family in the Bay Area after I went to BYU. Okay. 3:51 3 minutes, 51 seconds I ended up divorced, moved back to Utah and my sister, Donna Barnes, who's a longtime Lehi person, Yeah. convinced me to restart the paper. Yeah. 4:00 4 minutes Which, you know, anybody who starts a weekly in 2016 Yeah. I honestly look back at that and go, 4:08 4 minutes, 8 seconds "What what was I thinking?" 4:10 4 minutes, 10 seconds Sure. Sure. in the digital age of you know and different things like that. 4:13 4 minutes, 13 seconds Yeah. But but we don't we we we have a very robust online presence. I mean lehifyress.com is you know gets a lot of views. Yeah. 4:21 4 minutes, 21 seconds And we believe local news is super important especially you know we focus on sports and kids and youth and city 4:28 4 minutes, 28 seconds hall and local politics and elections and um we have a group of independent contractors called stringers 4:36 4 minutes, 36 seconds photographers, journalists. We have about 20 who all contribute to Lehigh Free Press on in any given week Chapter 6: Challenges & Evolution of Local Journalism 4:44 4 minutes, 44 seconds and um it's actually kind of a robust little company but not not extremely profitable you know. Okay. So I run a separate company called Copper Light 4:52 4 minutes, 52 seconds Communications which is a marketing firm that actually earns me a living and Lehigh Free Press is essentially a gift 4:58 4 minutes, 58 seconds to the community and we uh you know we've been doing it now for nine years almost 10 years. So next year in April 5:05 5 minutes, 5 seconds will be our official we will have published going into our 11th year. We're in our 10th year of publication. 5:11 5 minutes, 11 seconds Now you said so you have a separate marketing company. Is it is it affiliated with Lehigh Free Press in any way or is it totally kind of separate? Totally separate company. 5:18 5 minutes, 18 seconds Totally separate company. Totally does its own thing? 5:20 5 minutes, 20 seconds Yeah, but it's a sister company in the sense that we we you sometimes we'll share clients. 5:24 5 minutes, 24 seconds Okay. Sure. Okay. Okay. Let's go back to you know with your mom and and with you know with this uh business and stuff 5:31 5 minutes, 31 seconds like that. So you so so when did she stop doing it? She retired in 1993. 5:36 5 minutes, 36 seconds 1993. Okay. And so then from 1993 to you said 2007. 5:40 5 minutes, 40 seconds It was part of or give me that history again. 5:43 5 minutes, 43 seconds I'm not sure exactly when the acquisition dates occurred, but it was when she retired and and she was 73 when she retired. It was it was she she gave it her all, man. She did. 5:53 5 minutes, 53 seconds And it was it was owned at that point by a company called New Utah. 5:57 5 minutes, 57 seconds Okay. And the the company that owned the Herald at at that time, which I don't even know the name of the company because it's changed hands twice since then, they acquired New Utah, which 6:05 6 minutes, 5 seconds owned these weeklies around here. And then eventually the Daily Herald was sold a couple times. Yeah. 6:12 6 minutes, 12 seconds And now, you know, and so the the American Fork Citizen, which we actually helped them publish, we helped them restart that last start that last October. 6:20 6 minutes, 20 seconds Yeah. 6:20 6 minutes, 20 seconds And that's a monthly and we're helping them with their editorial workflow. 6:24 6 minutes, 24 seconds Okay. Okay. So, has this always been a dream of yours to to go like when when did the when did you I mean because 6:32 6 minutes, 32 seconds you're following in your mom's footsteps, right? I mean, you know, this is something that Well, I'm doing the stuff that she kind of didn't do. Okay. 6:37 6 minutes, 37 seconds I'm the publisher. I do editing. My mother was mostly a writer. Okay. 6:43 6 minutes, 43 seconds And her write her writing we go back and look at it. It's actually really clean compared to what I see today. Sure. Okay. 6:49 6 minutes, 49 seconds Our editorial process is extremely professional. So, every everything you'll see online has been edited. 6:54 6 minutes, 54 seconds Okay. It's we're not just slapping stuff up there. Sure. 6:57 6 minutes, 57 seconds But I never thought this would this would happen. My degree is from BYU in in in media sales management, journalism and broadcasting. Okay. 7:05 7 minutes, 5 seconds So I spent my younger years in my career at in television. So I was in television sales for years. Okay. 7:10 7 minutes, 10 seconds On the sales side and the management side. Yeah. 7:12 7 minutes, 12 seconds So and then I moved my family to California, raised them there and I was in web publishing at that time. Okay. So I mean I I I had the skills to do it. 7:21 7 minutes, 21 seconds Sure. But starting it was very very scary. Yeah. And it kept me up at night. I'm sure. 7:25 7 minutes, 25 seconds And um because you know it's it we joke in the family that it was like starting a dairy. When how do you stop the dairy? Sure. The cows need to be milked. 7:33 7 minutes, 33 seconds Sure. Yeah. Once you're in it, you're in it, right? I mean, you kind of have to just keep it going. 7:37 7 minutes, 37 seconds Yeah. You can't like, you know, and I've been begged by certain, you know, 7:41 7 minutes, 41 seconds employees and can we just do a bi-weekly can we go to two every two weeks, but we publish legal notices 7:48 7 minutes, 48 seconds and public notices and those are on a very strict editorial timeline. We can't. We have to be weekly. Yeah. Okay. 7:55 7 minutes, 55 seconds And it also creates a lot of more credibility and more trust with the community when they know you're going to be published every single week. 8:01 8 minutes, 1 second Yeah. And then and and these are mailed out, right? They're they're it's by subscription. For Lehigh residents, it's $70 a year, 8:09 8 minutes, 9 seconds which frankly we lose money with every subscription because of increasing printing costs and increasing mailing cost costs. For instance, the the US 8:18 8 minutes, 18 seconds Postal Service gave us a 9% increase in July. Okay. It's just, you know, kind of a never- ending story, the increased cost. Sure. Sure. Okay. 8:26 8 minutes, 26 seconds And then and then we also distribute throughout Lehi. So, anybody in Lehi may receive the Lehigh Free Press in their mailbox intermittently, like usually maybe every 3 months. 8:35 8 minutes, 35 seconds Okay. Um because we like people to sample it. Yeah. 8:38 8 minutes, 38 seconds But we don't apologize for the fact that we serve at least the paper side of it. Okay. That serves the senior community. Okay. 100%. Yeah. 8:46 8 minutes, 46 seconds We know that. We don't apologize for it. 8:48 8 minutes, 48 seconds We love the senior community in Lehi and we serve them. 8:52 8 minutes, 52 seconds Okay. So that explains how so sometimes like I know even just this office sometimes we'll get it you know in the mailbox and I'm like oh that's cool. You know so I so in my mind I was thinking 9:01 9 minutes, 1 second you weren't weekly but you are weekly then because obviously you know have to be weekly. 9:05 9 minutes, 5 seconds You have to be weekly. Okay that makes sense. 9:06 9 minutes, 6 seconds Well and then we're have and then we're always publishing our stories consistently online. Sure. 9:10 9 minutes, 10 seconds We publish a new story typically once twice a day. 9:13 9 minutes, 13 seconds Yes. Yes. Which I see those on Facebook and stuff like that too, right? you know, sometimes they come on there and then uh you know, especially with the local things that we have going on and 9:21 9 minutes, 21 seconds stuff, right? So, okay. Okay. I'm getting a feel for what uh I I I like I like that. Okay. 9:28 9 minutes, 28 seconds It's It's a lot of work. I'm sure it's a lot of work, 9:31 9 minutes, 31 seconds but we we try to sort of It's like hurting cats, but we've got it into organized hurting cats. So, it's a little bit less disorganized, the typical hurting cats. Sure. 9:39 9 minutes, 39 seconds So, it's just it's a you know, we have a a weekly editorial meeting where we discuss all the things we know about that are happening in town. 9:44 9 minutes, 44 seconds Yeah. from, you know, fires to police stuff to educational news to city news to feature stories. 9:53 9 minutes, 53 seconds Yeah. And and so how has Lehi Free Press evolved, I guess, over the time that you started it, you know, back in 20, you said 20 16 10:00 10 minutes 16. Okay. Till now, has it changed since you started? 10:03 10 minutes, 3 seconds We've always had a a robust online presence. And our online presence has just grown. Okay. Which makes sense. Of course it would. 10:12 10 minutes, 12 seconds Um, which we are grateful for. I mean, 10:14 10 minutes, 14 seconds and I think people people typically don't understand how hard something is when you start a business. Yeah. 10:19 10 minutes, 19 seconds But the news business is hard in the sense that it's you don't everything has to be 100% accurate all the time. 10:27 10 minutes, 27 seconds Um, accuracy, truthfulness, honesty is is all you have as far as your reputation. So when people accuse us of 10:35 10 minutes, 35 seconds publishing fake news and they troll us online or say things like that, you know, sometimes I've gotten to the point now where I've got a pretty thick skin, 10:44 10 minutes, 44 seconds but at the beginning it really irritated me when people would like question our ethics. Yeah. Sure. Sure. 10:48 10 minutes, 48 seconds There there's no, you know, nobody's getting rich, nobody's getting kickbacks from politicians or anything like that. 10:55 10 minutes, 55 seconds It's just not it's not what's happening in Lehigh, Utah. 10:57 10 minutes, 57 seconds Yes. Well, that's, you know, and that that's funny you say that because I've interviewed several public servants, you know, people that have been in, you know, Lehi, uh, you know, city council 11:06 11 minutes, 6 seconds or different things like that. And that's kind of one of the things that I take from it is none of these guys are getting rich here. This is just, hey, I have some time. I want to serve. I want to help, right? You know what I mean? 11:14 11 minutes, 14 seconds And and I think that's, you know, I mean, it sounds like a lot of, uh, you know, especially with this business of yours right now. I mean, you're just, 11:22 11 minutes, 22 seconds this is good stuff. You're just trying to help the community, I guess. In fact, 11:26 11 minutes, 26 seconds that's kind of one of my questions too is, you know, how do you feel about being that steward? I mean, because there's there's only one, you know, Chapter 7: Community Impact & Reflections 11:32 11 minutes, 32 seconds newspaper in Lehi, and it's you. How do you feel about that stewardship, I guess, that you have of um you know, Lehi is lucky to have us, I'll be honest. 11:40 11 minutes, 40 seconds Okay. 11:41 11 minutes, 41 seconds Because most most cities don't have a newspaper. They're just gone. No. And not only do they not have a newspaper, they don't have a news entity. 11:48 11 minutes, 48 seconds I I s sort of don't like it when we're called a newspaper. Yeah. Because we're more we're a news source. 11:53 11 minutes, 53 seconds Sure. because we have our online presence. I mean, 11:56 11 minutes, 56 seconds the the newspaper is sort of the relentless dog chasing you because you have a deadline every we have it we have to send that file every Tuesday afternoon. Yeah. 12:04 12 minutes, 4 seconds But um but we really we publish every day. Yeah. 12:08 12 minutes, 8 seconds So we're we're more of a news source than we are just a newspaper. 12:11 12 minutes, 11 seconds And you know I I I grew up in the best place ever. You know the Lehi everybody 12:18 12 minutes, 18 seconds knew everybody. And we we we like to joke in my family because I have nine siblings and I'm a twin. Okay. 12:25 12 minutes, 25 seconds My twin sister and I are the youngest of of 10 children. Yeah. 12:28 12 minutes, 28 seconds And we like to joke that the neighborhood raised us. Because you know we would when we were kids we have the neighbor ladies say, "Hey, you two you two twins. You go home now. It's time 12:37 12 minutes, 37 seconds for you to go go back home." So it was it was a great place to grow up. Yeah. 12:42 12 minutes, 42 seconds And it was a farming community and it was my dad was a dry farmer. My mother was the editor of the local paper and it was it was a wonderful place to be. And 12:50 12 minutes, 50 seconds so I have a I do love my my hometown. I wouldn't do be doing this if I didn't. Yeah. 12:56 12 minutes, 56 seconds But I also have seen it grow and and it you know it has its growing pains and that's that's inevitable especially with 13:03 13 minutes, 3 seconds with you know the LDS families. They like to marry and have kids and then where are their kids going to live? That's right. That's right. 13:10 13 minutes, 10 seconds And then of course people moving in because of the tech boom and all that. 13:13 13 minutes, 13 seconds But anyway we we we love what we do. We have dedicated writers and contributors and other staff that help do what we do. 13:21 13 minutes, 21 seconds And nobody would everybody's kind of doing it for less than they ought to be doing it for. Sure. 13:26 13 minutes, 26 seconds Because they they like contributing to the community. 13:29 13 minutes, 29 seconds Yeah. And I guess on that note, you know, obviously, how do you think a newspaper can help strengthen a community then? I mean, what what role do you think you have in, you know, 13:38 13 minutes, 38 seconds because the different things you choose to print or not print, right? and different things like that. But I mean, 13:43 13 minutes, 43 seconds what role do you think you have in in helping make this community stronger and stuff like that? 13:47 13 minutes, 47 seconds Well, we try to be the truth tellers and we're also trying to tell a lot of the positive stories that are happening. Yeah. 13:53 13 minutes, 53 seconds And we also try to just share what's good and maybe not so good about the community. And that's that's what a good 14:00 14 minutes news entity does. And you know, we don't have the financial underpinnings that KSL does or even the Daily Herald does, 14:10 14 minutes, 10 seconds but we what we do have is a desire and we have, you know, many people who are are journalists right now writing stories and it's tough. It's it's a 14:19 14 minutes, 19 seconds tough business and especially politics are tough. Yeah. 14:22 14 minutes, 22 seconds And government is tough because, you know, as as probably any public official would tell you, no matter who it is, 14:28 14 minutes, 28 seconds they're half of the people are going to hate them. and and we you know we put out so much good work so that when we get criticized about doing what we do 14:37 14 minutes, 37 seconds especially when we considering the fact that we're doing it basically as a public service that that that's a bummer. 14:42 14 minutes, 42 seconds Sure. But that, you know, that comes with the business and we whatever we we have we have that and we just we just 14:50 14 minutes, 50 seconds sort of try to let it roll off our back because you're because I mean how do you pick and choose what what gets printed or is you know 14:57 14 minutes, 57 seconds we have an editorial meeting every single week. Okay. 15:01 15 minutes, 1 second And I am ultimately the one who chooses the stories that will be published online. Not all of our content is published online. 15:06 15 minutes, 6 seconds Sure. Some of it's not appropriate for for digital like you know some of the stuff that's really senior focused. 15:13 15 minutes, 13 seconds So we we don't publish all our stories online. So if you really want everything we have you have to get the subscription 15:19 15 minutes, 19 seconds but we do have uh an email newsletter that we only charge $3 $3.99 a month for. Okay. 15:26 15 minutes, 26 seconds That anybody can get their our weekly email in their email box and and get basically a compilation of the biggest stories of the week in their email box. 15:33 15 minutes, 33 seconds Okay. And that subscription portal is on our website. I Okay, thank you. So, does that answer the question? That does answer the question. Yeah. 15:40 15 minutes, 40 seconds Um and and you know, there are stories that we miss. Yeah. 15:43 15 minutes, 43 seconds And the only reason we typically miss big stories is because we just don't have the ability to be someplace at 3:00 a.m. in the morning when the cops get there, you know, stuff like that. 15:52 15 minutes, 52 seconds Sure. Sure. 15:52 15 minutes, 52 seconds So, we just we don't have the legs that some of the bigger news organizations do, you know, in terms of like large staff. 15:59 15 minutes, 59 seconds Sure. No, that makes perfect sense. you know, and you kind of already mentioned this a little bit, but how do you handle those, you know, because to your point, 16:05 16 minutes, 5 seconds you know, if you're going to cover a political thing or or a government thing or, you know, highly charged thing, I guess, right? You know, h how do you you 16:13 16 minutes, 13 seconds know, try to do do you try to stay neutral on things? Do you do you kind of slant one way or another? We 100% try to stay neutral. Okay. 16:20 16 minutes, 20 seconds And that comes that is reflected from me down through the organization. Mhm. 16:25 16 minutes, 25 seconds I I am I I try to consume news from the left and news from the right and I try to stay right in the middle of it all. Yeah. 16:33 16 minutes, 33 seconds And you know, we've been accused of not being that. But we, you know, in in Lehi, 16:38 16 minutes, 38 seconds we really don't talk about Trump. We really don't talk about national politics. It doesn't affect us that much. Yeah. 16:46 16 minutes, 46 seconds I mean, there is some, but but what what does affect us is, you know, a new road. Yes. 16:52 16 minutes, 52 seconds On 21st North. What does affect us is parking at the high school. Yeah. What does affect us are our local politicians 17:00 17 minutes who are making de development decisions about what what housing project goes where and what retail project goes where. And so local 17:08 17 minutes, 8 seconds education, local politics, all those things really do affect people. And so we try to cover that vigorously and also be completely neutral in covering it 17:16 17 minutes, 16 seconds just, you know, the facts. But so I don't see us as having a political bent at all because it's just not it's ne no one has an agenda. 17:25 17 minutes, 25 seconds Sure. Sure. You're just trying to get the the these things in front of people I guess so that people have information so that they can maybe better make better decisions I guess you know and 17:34 17 minutes, 34 seconds understand what's actually trying to hold the government accountable too because you know if nobody's watching what's 17:42 17 minutes, 42 seconds happening in city council then how does everybody know what happened in city council? Sure. 17:47 17 minutes, 47 seconds Most people aren't tuning in to those meetings. Yeah. No. 17:50 17 minutes, 50 seconds So, we try to report as vigorously as we can, you know, what's happening in local government. Sure. Okay. So, you know, going into, 17:59 17 minutes, 59 seconds you know, kind of just the long history of Lehigh Free Press. And so, you can you can tap into your mom's stuff and your stuff, I guess, here, but you know, 18:06 18 minutes, 6 seconds anything fascinating you've learned, you know, you know, being the daughter of somebody that was in the newspaper, you know, business and and doing it now. 18:13 18 minutes, 13 seconds anything that stand out that maybe a lot of people wouldn't know, you know, about that business and just things that you thought were, you know, pretty cool about it? 18:20 18 minutes, 20 seconds I I look back on what my mom did writing the entire paper and she got to the point where she got tired of using a by line so she just stopped putting a by line on 18:28 18 minutes, 28 seconds all of her stories because she wrote the whole thing and so she felt like it was a little bit redundant with her name on it. But 18:35 18 minutes, 35 seconds anything that you read from and by the way you can go on into the Utah digital archives, okay, and see old newspapers 18:43 18 minutes, 43 seconds going back into the 1800s and of course Lehify Press is there. 18:47 18 minutes, 47 seconds So anything that you would typically find from 1970 to 1993 that doesn't have a by line, 18:52 18 minutes, 52 seconds Betty Fowler wrote it. And so what would surprise people is how prolific she was, 18:58 18 minutes, 58 seconds how how accurate she was, and how funny she was. And so I I stand in awe of my mother. Like I can't believe she did it all by 19:06 19 minutes, 6 seconds herself. We literally have 20 up to 20 contributors in any given issue. Yeah. 19:12 19 minutes, 12 seconds Between the photographers and the writers and the graphic design people, 19:16 19 minutes, 16 seconds we literally have that many people contributing. And she did the whole thing herself, including the layout. Wow. So wow. 19:24 19 minutes, 24 seconds I I see why she would come home exhausted on Tuesdays, you know. Sure. Sure. Because she had a lot to do. She was doing the whole paper herself. Not she wasn't selling ads. 19:33 19 minutes, 33 seconds Okay. Sure. 19:33 19 minutes, 33 seconds Russ Enis was the owner when she first started. So he was the owner and publisher and he was going out and selling ads. 19:39 19 minutes, 39 seconds And so she was doing all of the editorial. Okay. 19:42 19 minutes, 42 seconds And I don't think they were really covering they were covering sports, but she wasn't really covering sports. They were just most mostly reporting, you 19:51 19 minutes, 51 seconds know, who won and who lost and photos and stuff of the high school kids. But um she probably did cover some sports and I wasn't even aware of it because I 19:59 19 minutes, 59 seconds was a kid, you know, during a lot of those years. Yeah. Wow. 20:02 20 minutes, 2 seconds But a funny story is that she would make me go to the obituary. Go to the mortuary, wing mortuary, which is of course still here. 20:09 20 minutes, 9 seconds She'd make me go pick up the obituary from Ralph Wing and I'd have to ride my bike over there and pick up the obituary. That was the job I hated the worst. 20:17 20 minutes, 17 seconds Sure. 20:18 20 minutes, 18 seconds I would worry I was worried I'd see a dead person. Sure. Sure. Especially as a kid. Yeah. 20:22 20 minutes, 22 seconds You I don't want to see this. No, I don't want. Yeah. 20:24 20 minutes, 24 seconds So, I'd ride my bike over there, pick up the obituary, take it back over to her office. She'd type it up. Yeah. Get the picture. 20:31 20 minutes, 31 seconds Wow. That's super small town right there, right? You know, I mean, like, 20:34 20 minutes, 34 seconds you know, just literally across the street, right? And doing all that. And Huh. That's cool. I like that. You know, 20:40 20 minutes, 40 seconds I guess, you know, on that note, kind of more talking about Lehi, how have you seen Lehi change, I guess, from when you 20:46 20 minutes, 46 seconds were a child to, you know, to now and stuff like that? I mean it's a lot of the same family loving vibe is still here. 20:55 20 minutes, 55 seconds Yeah. 20:55 20 minutes, 55 seconds And I think people try to grow that in their neighborhoods and people try to be kind and neighborly. The last few years have been tough because I've you know 21:03 21 minutes, 3 seconds what the growth has brought has been some big city problems. Sure. 21:08 21 minutes, 8 seconds I mean I remember during a election debate that we hosted at up at Traverse Mountain um Mark Johnson was running for 21:16 21 minutes, 16 seconds mayor. Bert Wilson was running for re-election and and we asked a question in that debate. We had discussed what questions we were going to ask and one of the questions that I wanted to ask 21:24 21 minutes, 24 seconds was about what are we how are we proactively dealing with a problem with homeless people and this would have been in like 2018 21:33 21 minutes, 33 seconds maybe and I remember everybody was like wait what do we have homeless people what's going on wait what and you know I most of my work up is in 21:42 21 minutes, 42 seconds Salt Lake so I would go up there and I would see the problem up there and I and I felt like it was a relevant question but back in 2018 we did not have any homeless people ly high. At least none that anybody was aware of. 21:53 21 minutes, 53 seconds And now we do. We also have, you know, terrible crimes. Sure. 21:59 21 minutes, 59 seconds And we have terrible accidents that we've always we've always had car accidents, but like really bad ones. Yeah. And um the SV unit, the SVU unit here, 22:07 22 minutes, 7 seconds we just did published a story about the SVU uh crime unit in Lehi is is a very active and busy crime unit, which is frankly tragic. Sure. 22:16 22 minutes, 16 seconds That we have these crimes happening in Lehi. But a lot of times it's just people meeting here. and also homegrown criminals. So we the sad part that I've 22:23 22 minutes, 23 seconds seen is is the proliferation of big city crime and certainly it's it's a very safe place to live. I'm not suggesting 22:31 22 minutes, 31 seconds that our Lehigh Police Department doesn't do a great job, but that's just that's just a product of the growth. Right. Sure. 22:37 22 minutes, 37 seconds So that's kind of been one thing I've seen. And then just some of the it's an interesting dilemma we have in Lehi with our with our growth. I think our I I 22:46 22 minutes, 46 seconds think my opinion is that our our government has been we tend to be very pro- family which is great but that what that means 22:54 22 minutes, 54 seconds the other side of that being pro- family is you have to find a place for these people to live. Sure. 23:00 23 minutes And so Lehi's been relatively prodevelopment over the past 25 years. 23:07 23 minutes, 7 seconds So if if a if a builder's come in and wanted to build a property then I think generally the city wants to see that happen. if they want to develop a multi 23:15 23 minutes, 15 seconds multif family development, they that they've been happy to see that happen. Sure. 23:19 23 minutes, 19 seconds And um you know, and that brings a lot more people, but it also brings the fact that you know, you have crowded roads 23:28 23 minutes, 28 seconds and you have a lot more people. All those things are a product of growth. Do you go going back to, you know, 23:34 23 minutes, 34 seconds headlines and different things like that? Any any stories that have been memorable, you know, as you like, hey, I really liked publishing that one or 23:43 23 minutes, 43 seconds Well, a funny one was we wrote a story about Ted Bundy. Okay. 23:49 23 minutes, 49 seconds Because Ted Bundy was one of is probably the most notorious killer. Yeah. That ever came from Utah. Yeah. Chapter 8: A Ted Bundy Sighting in Lehi 23:56 23 minutes, 56 seconds And my dad was convinced that he saw Ted Ted Bundy's Volkswagen. Oh. At Wines's Park, parked in Wines's Park. Uhhuh. 24:05 24 minutes, 5 seconds And cuz his his Volkswagen was kind of a everybody knew what it looked like because of when the story broke and he was finally captured and stuff. 24:13 24 minutes, 13 seconds And so my sister wrote a story about, 24:16 24 minutes, 16 seconds you know, my dad thinks he saw it was it was just like an opinion story. My dad thinks he saw Ted Bundy and we put a picture of Ted Bundy in there and we 24:23 24 minutes, 23 seconds posted it online and it went it went it went crazy cuz people were like, "What? 24:27 24 minutes, 27 seconds Ted Bundy came to Lehi?" Now that was my dad's recollection. I'm not. It may be folklore, but anyway, that was we kind of laughed about it because, 24:37 24 minutes, 37 seconds you know, I don't know. It could have been true, maybe it wasn't true, but we wrote a story about it and it went crazy. So, it was funny. 24:42 24 minutes, 42 seconds That's awesome. That's awesome. Um, tell me, you know, going to your job and stuff like that. So, what what does kind of a typical work week look like for Chapter 9: Life of a Newspaper Editor 24:51 24 minutes, 51 seconds you? You know, just doing this the paper and stuff like that. We make assignments every Wednesday. 24:56 24 minutes, 56 seconds Okay. to we have a tool an a digital tool that we use to send story assignment uplinks, okay, 25:03 25 minutes, 3 seconds to all of our reporters and photographers. So when they receive an email that says, "Please contribute." Mhm. 25:10 25 minutes, 10 seconds They upload their story through that link and it all goes into one central spreadsheet. Okay? And that occurs over a period of days. Mhm. 25:17 25 minutes, 17 seconds And then Tuesday morning, I have a co-editor, my co-editor and I look at our editorial queue and there's anywhere 25:25 25 minutes, 25 seconds between and and on every line, it's like a spreadsheet, there's multiple items attached to that line, whether it's photos, documents, graphics, whatever. 25:35 25 minutes, 35 seconds And then we go through and we reorder that document. We edit the entire document. Every word, every caption has 25:42 25 minutes, 42 seconds been edited. and for clarity, for for grammar, for all of it. And we use AP style. So that process of ordering the 25:51 25 minutes, 51 seconds queue, editing the queue, and uh curating the queue, deciding what's front page news, what's not, that's the two of us make those decisions. 25:59 25 minutes, 59 seconds And then by Tuesday night, that that all that data has been loaded into our online 26:06 26 minutes, 6 seconds publication tool, which we use Adobe uh in design. 26:10 26 minutes, 10 seconds Okay. and it's loaded there and then it's sent to the printer. So that process typ that that that sort of frenzy process happens every Tuesday and it is kind of it's kind of intense. 26:21 26 minutes, 21 seconds Yeah. It's a deadline. Chapter 10: Challenges of Modern Journalism 26:22 26 minutes, 22 seconds Yeah. And so I mean speak to me about some of the challenges of producing a paper in in this landscape. I mean has 26:29 26 minutes, 29 seconds is has a lot of things changed I guess with the with paper you know I mean I remember you know getting the the the 26:37 26 minutes, 37 seconds paper all the time right and not so much anymore. or a lot of it's now digital and stuff like that, but do you do I mean, how much print do you still do and stuff like that? 26:44 26 minutes, 44 seconds We any any every week we print at least 3,500 copies? 3500. Okay. Yeah. So, 26:50 26 minutes, 50 seconds and we mail those all. Most of them are mailed bulk mail, which are the ones that go out to various postal routes throughout Lehi. So, that's why they're 26:58 26 minutes, 58 seconds distributed intermittently to all neighborhoods. Okay. 27:00 27 minutes Our subscribers get them every single week. Sure. Of course. 27:03 27 minutes, 3 seconds But that process happens ver as quick very very quickly. Yeah. when the file is sent Tuesday night, it's printed Wednesday morning. It's um our printer 27:11 27 minutes, 11 seconds is in Tilla. It's the transcript bulletin in in Tuila. They're they've been our print printing partner for from the beginning. Okay. 27:18 27 minutes, 18 seconds And uh it's just gotten more and more expensive. We we print on a product called our the stock that we use, which is the print stock, is a nicer stock 27:27 27 minutes, 27 seconds than like the cheapest newspaper. We use a a higher grade. 27:31 27 minutes, 31 seconds Um and so it's it's a broad what's called a broad sheet. And you know, we I could have 27:38 27 minutes, 38 seconds passed off the editorial the editing responsibilities to somebody else years ago, but I'm I'm just picky and I just like it to be as good as it can possibly 27:47 27 minutes, 47 seconds be. And I probably could pass that off and may may at some point to somebody else. 27:54 27 minutes, 54 seconds But a lot of the a lot of the historic information is sort of housed inside of me. And like if there's a story about something that's historical for 28:02 28 minutes, 2 seconds instance, I will often change those stories because sometimes it they aren't right. Sure. You know. Yeah. So there's it helps to be from Lehi. 28:10 28 minutes, 10 seconds Sure. Sure. Do you see like now with digital stuff, you know, a lot of people can talk to you whether that's by email 28:18 28 minutes, 18 seconds or or you know, comments on on the online and stuff like that. Yeah. Do you see like h has that changed anything 28:25 28 minutes, 25 seconds with how you report or or or just how a newspaper interacts with the community and stuff like that? I mean any Well, we're active on social. We're on 28:33 28 minutes, 33 seconds Instagram. We're on Facebook. Uh we get comments all the time. Some of the comments are not appreciated. 28:38 28 minutes, 38 seconds If and if anybody makes a comment that is crude or curses, I remove it. Yeah. 28:43 28 minutes, 43 seconds Or or are our our uh social media person does. 28:47 28 minutes, 47 seconds So that's not accepted. I I I that part hasn't really changed very much. It's just our audience has grown. Sure. So that's good. 28:56 28 minutes, 56 seconds But as far as like you know the the the print presence has decreased and the digital presence has increased which was of course expected. 29:04 29 minutes, 4 seconds Of course. Yeah. Do you you know talking to young journalists? Do you have do you do you have a lot of young journalists on you or is it mostly Okay. You do. 29:11 29 minutes, 11 seconds We've had some wonder we have interns work for us. Yeah. 29:15 29 minutes, 15 seconds And right now we're not having interns but it because it can be kind of a mixed bag. Sure. But we've had some great young people. 29:21 29 minutes, 21 seconds In fact, one of them is I would hire her full-time today if I could. She's great. Okay. 29:26 29 minutes, 26 seconds Yeah. And so, we've had some wonderful interns with us and we and they they're very coachable. Yeah. 29:32 29 minutes, 32 seconds They get what we do, but being a journalist right now is hard. Yeah. 29:36 29 minutes, 36 seconds Because there aren't a whole lot of that that the industry is not growing. Yeah. 29:40 29 minutes, 40 seconds But, you know, there are there there's a place for for good journalism still. 29:46 29 minutes, 46 seconds So what advice would you have to you know young people that are thinking hey you know I'd like to go into journalism is is that a career path for some and 29:53 29 minutes, 53 seconds and and then if it is something that they want to do what advice would you give them to succeed I would give them my advice would be for them to write 30:02 30 minutes, 2 seconds okay most young people don't know how to write and and then I would I would also suggest that they use AI tools but 30:10 30 minutes, 10 seconds initial but initially they need to learn how to write a story um the W's the what where, when, why, 30:16 30 minutes, 16 seconds how and you know follow follow that format. We've we do a lot of teaching. Sure. 30:23 30 minutes, 23 seconds Every week in our editorial meeting, we have sort of like a teaching moment where we teach about headlines, teach about captions, about story flow, about about story content, 30:32 30 minutes, 32 seconds about how to how to how to create quote how to how to organize a story. We we do a lot of teaching. Chapter 11: The Role of AI in News 30:37 30 minutes, 37 seconds Yeah. You mentioned AI. Are are you seeing an increase in using that with with your own? Okay. I mean, we we all use Grammarly Professional, 30:46 30 minutes, 46 seconds okay? 30:46 30 minutes, 46 seconds And it doesn't it doesn't use a it doesn't use AP style and sometimes it's wrong and sometimes it's right. So, you have to sort of know and but it is a 30:53 30 minutes, 53 seconds great it's great for correcting things that we you know just miss because of the volume of work that we do. 30:59 30 minutes, 59 seconds So, it so you have seen it's been helpful for you though. Absolutely. Yeah. 31:03 31 minutes, 3 seconds And we do use it. We don't use it for for grassroots reporting. Okay. We only use it for correction. 31:09 31 minutes, 9 seconds Okay. Okay. Do you see a time when that might change? Uh, no. Okay. 31:14 31 minutes, 14 seconds But like we we would I would see it a time when we would use it as a way to like summarize a meeting. Yeah. 31:21 31 minutes, 21 seconds And then we go back and use time stamps to find like some of our city council and planning commission meetings are literally 5 hours. Yeah. Six hours. 31:28 31 minutes, 28 seconds Yeah. So it's hard to find somebody who was willing to sit for six hours and watch something when there's a lot of ums and a's and pauses and and you know 31:37 31 minutes, 37 seconds so we do I do see us using it for those purposes for just consolidating me meetings and finding ways to 31:45 31 minutes, 45 seconds squish a lot of data into a into a smaller chunk. But then you would go back in and you'd get quotes you'd find the most important part of the meetings. Yeah. 31:52 31 minutes, 52 seconds You know that's a big that's a a great tool for that you for that purpose. 31:55 31 minutes, 55 seconds That's actually a very smart way. I my daughter's about to go to college and we're and uh we're looking at different tools, you know, she so she can record 32:04 32 minutes, 4 seconds the class, right? And and then, you know, have it transcribed and then she can put it in the AI to have it summarized and stuff like that, you So I think that's very wise actually use of 32:12 32 minutes, 12 seconds it cuz you're still but I also hesitate a little bit with that because sometimes if you're not at the meeting and you're not watching people 32:20 32 minutes, 20 seconds you know sometimes there's reactions there's physical interaction there's tone of voice that you miss. Yes. 32:27 32 minutes, 27 seconds So it's it's sort of begrudgingly sure that I that that I would use that for those types of purposes. 32:34 32 minutes, 34 seconds That makes it because a transcription is literally just the words that are said not the interaction that's taking place. 32:38 32 minutes, 38 seconds You miss nuance. Yeah. Yeah, that's true. Okay. So, obviously something that as the world continues to change and some of these things can help us, but 32:47 32 minutes, 47 seconds yeah, hopefully we don't lose some of the art of Mhm. 32:49 32 minutes, 49 seconds just Well, and you can always go back and watch those certain timestamps to certain chunks of the meetings and and and if there was something particularly 32:57 32 minutes, 57 seconds inflammatory or emotional, you can go back and watch that chunk. Sure. 33:02 33 minutes, 2 seconds But, you know, it it's those meetings are rough. 33:06 33 minutes, 6 seconds Yeah. Anybody in my view who wants to be a city counselor or on the planning commission, I I don't have any desire to do that at all. Yeah. 33:14 33 minutes, 14 seconds Just because of the amount of time that that those that those roles take. Yeah. 33:18 33 minutes, 18 seconds I have a great respect for people who donate their time that way. I mean, I realize they're not completely donating their time, but it pretty much is. 33:24 33 minutes, 24 seconds But it pretty much is. Yeah. Yeah. I don't think there's it's it's a service, I think, in large part. Right. Yeah. People call it a job. Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. 33:33 33 minutes, 33 seconds Yeah. I don't think Mark Johnson thinks of it as a job. No, I don't think so either. And the city council. Yeah. Those guys work hard. Yeah. 33:40 33 minutes, 40 seconds I have great respect for them. I really do. 33:42 33 minutes, 42 seconds Yeah. In fact, well, so speak to that for a second. I guess you know, so you you're probably one of the benefits of of your job is you're in I mean you know Chapter 12: The Future of the Lehi Free Press 33:51 33 minutes, 51 seconds anything you you're the Google of our community, I guess, right? You're like your mom, right? I mean, in the sense that you you know a lot of what's going on. Maybe not everything, but I mean you know a lot of what's going on more than the average person, right? Absolutely. 34:01 34 minutes, 1 second And so I guess you know I got a couple questions now from that but like so first question is knowing what you know 34:09 34 minutes, 9 seconds about the city and everything like that are you optimistic or pessimistic about the state of our community and the future and stuff? Oh optimistic for sure. 34:18 34 minutes, 18 seconds Okay. I I think that we need a I need I mean there are things I think Lehi needs, of course, 34:24 34 minutes, 24 seconds but I also think that, you know, it's just full of wonderful people. And that's that's really the what's great about Lehigh are the people. 34:33 34 minutes, 33 seconds I think Lehi needs more recreational facilities, okay? Like robust ones. Sure. 34:39 34 minutes, 39 seconds I go to places like Saratoga Springs and I see their Patriot Park and I go to Spanish Fork and I see their giant baseball fields. I feel jealous, you know. Sure. 34:48 34 minutes, 48 seconds I also think Lehi needs a really beautiful art auditorium, art facility. 34:53 34 minutes, 53 seconds It'd be wonderful to see us be able to put on large scale productions here cuz I'm, you know, I was a band nerd in high school. I love that stuff. So, 35:01 35 minutes, 1 second sure. Those are the things I wish we had. Yeah. 35:04 35 minutes, 4 seconds So, but you know, there's a lot that we do have. I mean, it's a great place to be. Yeah. What So, knowing what you know, 35:11 35 minutes, 11 seconds what what what do you think would, you know, surprise people about Lehi? you know, I mean, you mentioned the city council and the mayor and different things like that and just all the things 35:19 35 minutes, 19 seconds that are going on. Anything stand out to you, you know, as far as just current current events and stuff like that, I guess that uh 35:26 35 minutes, 26 seconds Well, we Yeah, I mean, we we have an issue with our east west traffic corridors. Yeah. 35:33 35 minutes, 33 seconds And what people don't understand is those are very complex issues because a lot of those roads are state roads. 35:38 35 minutes, 38 seconds So now you're dealing with legislative issues, legislative money, legislative appropriations. And so it's not just like Lehi's allowed all this all these 35:47 35 minutes, 47 seconds people to drive through Lehi that are in Saratoga Springs and Engle Mountain. Well, 35:51 35 minutes, 51 seconds we didn't do we didn't do all that out there. That wasn't what Lehi did. That's what they did. And now the net effect of that is people driving east west through Lehi. 36:00 36 minutes So they've been wrestling with this east west problem for a long time. this between MAG, the Mountainland Associ 36:07 36 minutes, 7 seconds association of governments, Lehi, the legislature, the fed, the federal government has been involved in that too because it involves an interstate 36:15 36 minutes, 15 seconds highway. I mean, we've done they've done this all the expanding of I-15 that they're going to do is is h has happened. I agree. Right. So, what we have is a problem. 36:23 36 minutes, 23 seconds So, we just published a story this week about how Lehi and American Fork have entered an agreement to expand the Pony Express. 36:30 36 minutes, 30 seconds I did read that. And and people were complaining, well well Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain should pay for that. 36:35 36 minutes, 35 seconds Okay, they're going to pay for a road in Lehi. Yeah, that's not going to happen. Yeah. 36:39 36 minutes, 39 seconds I mean, it's a nice idea that they would pay for it, but it ain't going to happen. 36:44 36 minutes, 44 seconds Why would they pay for a road outside their city? Yeah. 36:46 36 minutes, 46 seconds Um so these kinds of problems, which people complain about a lot, are complex problems and they require a coalition of 36:56 36 minutes, 56 seconds entities to gather and and solve these problems together. And I think that those are difficult situations. Those are difficult problems from a funding 37:04 37 minutes, 4 seconds standpoint and just from a ideological standpoint, just getting everybody on the same page. So I just think sometimes people try to simplify local politics, 37:12 37 minutes, 12 seconds especially with a growing community like we have and they and and you can say all the sound bites all day long, but solving 37:20 37 minutes, 20 seconds these problems takes time, money, and effort and commitment. 37:25 37 minutes, 25 seconds Yeah. And and in large part, do you think those that have been elected are doing good with that? I I'm not really here to say. I I don't 37:34 37 minutes, 34 seconds really I I I think they certainly have have tried and are trying. Yeah. 37:38 37 minutes, 38 seconds Um I wish it had I wish we had these problems solved yesterday. Sure. 37:44 37 minutes, 44 seconds Along with everybody else. But like I said, I'm probably one of the few people that sort of has a sense of the complexity. Yeah. It's tough. These are tough problems. 37:51 37 minutes, 51 seconds These are tough problems. Yeah. No, I agree. I agree. They are very tough problems, very complex. Um, and I know people are working on things and they're 37:59 37 minutes, 59 seconds trying to make things happen, right? You know, absolutely they are. Yeah. Um, 38:02 38 minutes, 2 seconds but getting five municipalities on the same page about something, just that part alone. Yeah. 38:07 38 minutes, 7 seconds I'm not talking about the feds or the ledge or mag just getting Saratoga, Eagle Mountain, Lehi, Cedar Valley, 38:13 38 minutes, 13 seconds Pleasant Grove, Vineyard to all agree on how to do that. Yeah. 38:17 38 minutes, 17 seconds To get that tra that alone is a huge task. Yeah. Yeah. No, I agreed. you know, 38:23 38 minutes, 23 seconds talking about the future of both Lehi and, you know, the newspaper. Where do you see both Lehi and the newspaper 38:32 38 minutes, 32 seconds going? Where where do you see the future for for both those? 38:34 38 minutes, 34 seconds I think Lehi real estate will continue to to increase in value because, you know, it's a beautiful spot between Salt Lake and Provo. It's perfect. 38:44 38 minutes, 44 seconds Um, and so I think Lehigh's real estate values will continue to increase. U, who knows what'll happen with interest rates. you're the you you would know more than I about that kind of stuff. 38:53 38 minutes, 53 seconds But as far as like the Lehigh Free Press, eventually we will be a digital only entity. Okay. 38:59 38 minutes, 59 seconds I mean, that's just probably an inevitability. Would you put a time frame on that? 39:04 39 minutes, 4 seconds No, I don't know. All I know is that it gets harder to publish in print with every with every increase that the postal service makes. 39:12 39 minutes, 12 seconds Sure. So, it costs us just hard costs about $2 a paper to to create it and to print it and to mail it. 39:22 39 minutes, 22 seconds And right now we're getting about a dollar. Our our subscription rate is 70 $70 a year. So, you can see the math doesn't work. Yeah. 39:29 39 minutes, 29 seconds On that, but it's the subscription covers part of those costs and we try to make up those other costs through advertising and legals and and obituaries and other, you know, 39:39 39 minutes, 39 seconds miscellaneous income. Yeah. So eventually, you know, we will probably not publish in print. But I I hate that idea because we have so many people who come in and just I love what you do. 39:50 39 minutes, 50 seconds Please don't stop. Yeah. I look forward to my paper. 39:54 39 minutes, 54 seconds We had a couple come in the other day and she got it for her mom. She said, 39:57 39 minutes, 57 seconds "Oh, I need to have the paper. The post office didn't deliver it this week, which happens sometimes, unfortunately." Sure. 40:03 40 minutes, 3 seconds And she said, "I take it home and my mom's blind now, but I read the whole thing to her." 40:07 40 minutes, 7 seconds Oh, wow. You're like, "We want to continue it." We do. Yeah. How sweet is that? Yeah, that is very sweet. Yeah. 40:14 40 minutes, 14 seconds Wow. Well, and I know I know it's fun to have a paper. I I remember so I grew up in a small town myself and there was a newspaper and I remember it was being it 40:22 40 minutes, 22 seconds was fun, you know, if I was in a sports or something, you know, somebody uh, you know, from our church would would cut it out and give it to me like, "Hey, you know, we saw you in the paper, you know, 40:30 40 minutes, 30 seconds or something like that." 40:31 40 minutes, 31 seconds Yeah. We have parents come down and get the paper when their kids are in it. And and I love that. 40:35 40 minutes, 35 seconds But what's interesting about that is they'll come down and buy a couple of copies of the paper for a dollar each. Yeah. 40:40 40 minutes, 40 seconds Or I'll give them to them. We sell them for a buck each just to buy lunch, you know. 40:45 40 minutes, 45 seconds But sometimes I'll say, "Now, you're welcome to subscribe." They never will subscribe. Never will subscribe. Sure. 40:52 40 minutes, 52 seconds Which, you know, at this point I'm I'm kind of over it. Yeah. But, you know, what we do costs money. Yeah. 40:59 40 minutes, 59 seconds And we just we would love more support, 41:01 41 minutes, 1 second but I'm also at the point in my life where I'm not going to go begging for it. Sure. Sure. 41:04 41 minutes, 4 seconds Um, but you know, we do need the support of the community 100%. And we do we get a lot of it from the senior population. We do. And from some advertisers we do. 41:13 41 minutes, 13 seconds I mean, we've had we've had some long-term advertisers who who have done very well with advertising with us. And we're always looking for more. 41:20 41 minutes, 20 seconds Sure. Sure. Um, so, you know, there was a time where Lehigh Free Press was gone. 41:27 41 minutes, 27 seconds Do you think there's a time in the future where Lehi Free Press would be gone again or do you think No. Okay. 41:32 41 minutes, 32 seconds No. Um, at some point I'll pass it off to whoever is the next steward. I don't I I see it as a community asset. Okay. 41:39 41 minutes, 39 seconds I mean, it's technically my asset, 41:42 41 minutes, 42 seconds but I don't see it that I don't think of it like a house, you know, I think of it more as a community property. 41:50 41 minutes, 50 seconds Sure. Sure. 41:50 41 minutes, 50 seconds And at some point, you know, I'll retire and somebody else will take up the torch. And so that would be that would be somebody who I trust, 41:58 41 minutes, 58 seconds somebody who understands what we do and somebody who has a sense of the news business. Yeah. 42:02 42 minutes, 2 seconds And I don't know who and when that would be, but um I'm guessing within the next 10 years. Yeah. Okay. This has been great. So, it uh is there anything else? Chapter 13: Why Local Journalism Still Matters 42:12 42 minutes, 12 seconds Is there anything that we didn't cover? 42:13 42 minutes, 13 seconds I guess you know as far as that uh that you wanted to talk about as far as Well, I just wanted to say that the people who have contributed, my sister 42:21 42 minutes, 21 seconds Donna, the long-term people that we had with us, like Nicole Kunzie, who's now in the planning commission, like Skyler Beltran, who's now the county commissioner, 42:29 42 minutes, 29 seconds okay? 42:30 42 minutes, 30 seconds And like all of our reporters like Arla Cook and Eden Johnson and Wendy Klein. 42:35 42 minutes, 35 seconds There's just some people that have been I mean they basically no one gets paid what they deserve but every reporter gets paid for every story. 42:43 42 minutes, 43 seconds Okay. 42:44 42 minutes, 44 seconds So we are I just we have a very devoted and dedicated and talented group of 42:51 42 minutes, 51 seconds people who who work for the higher press who I appreciate very much and I just I think you know sometimes I don't 42:59 42 minutes, 59 seconds probably give them the credit that they deserve but they you know it's a team effort for sure. 43:03 43 minutes, 3 seconds Yeah. and all I did was sort of like dive in the deep end, you know, and uh was willing to fund the whole operation 43:11 43 minutes, 11 seconds in the beginning and um but now I just we could we couldn't do it without our without our staff and they're great. 43:18 43 minutes, 18 seconds Yeah. Well, I like that and I think that's part of the reason we're doing this podcast in the first place is a sense of community, right? And so I think you're speaking to that which is, 43:27 43 minutes, 27 seconds you know, Lehigh Free Press exists. I mean, yes, because of what you've done and that kind of stuff, but it's continued on because of the community, 43:35 43 minutes, 35 seconds you know, not necessarily the community as a large, but the the community of people that are working there, right? You know, that are doing this. Well, yeah. And the community at large. And the community at large. Sure. 43:42 43 minutes, 42 seconds Because we've had support from the community, you know, but but I think I think people now in general don't understand how hard journalism is. 43:51 43 minutes, 51 seconds Sure. 43:52 43 minutes, 52 seconds And they they accuse us of being left leaning or right leaning. And it's like, 43:56 43 minutes, 56 seconds but all we're doing is just reporting the facts. I it's just not what we do. 44:01 44 minutes, 1 second And so I think most people don't understand that everything that you see online that was written by a person costs money to produce. 44:09 44 minutes, 9 seconds So I think I think we've gotten so used to getting free stuff. Yeah. 44:13 44 minutes, 13 seconds We get free samples at Costco. We get free stuff. You're people in Lehi get the paper for free intermittently. Yeah. 44:19 44 minutes, 19 seconds And um even we I've even had people come into the office and say, "I didn't get my paper this week." Yeah. 44:24 44 minutes, 24 seconds And and I said, "Well, are you a subscriber?" No. What do you mean? Have you paid to be a weekly subscriber? No, 44:32 44 minutes, 32 seconds it's free. It says Lehi Free Press. 44:35 44 minutes, 35 seconds It says it right there. Come on. Come on. 44:38 44 minutes, 38 seconds But I I have to explain. Well, that's because that's a historic name. Yeah. Because it's about freedom of the press. 44:44 44 minutes, 44 seconds Yeah. It it there's nothing free about Lehi Free Press. 44:49 44 minutes, 49 seconds That's good. Well, yeah. Nope. It does cost money. And And so, you know, you mentioned journalism is hard. Why Why do you think it has gotten so hard? I mean, 44:55 44 minutes, 55 seconds is that just the state of affairs we we live in, you know, with, you know, 44:59 44 minutes, 59 seconds media's getting kind of a bad rep, you know, because it's either too far to the left or too far to the right, and so we can't trust I mean, you know, there's just kind of a general lack of trust in 45:07 45 minutes, 7 seconds government and media, different things like that. I see that in Lehi. Sure. 45:10 45 minutes, 10 seconds It's mindboggling to me because what what what motivation would I possibly have to do something as difficult as as it is that what we do to come up to come 45:20 45 minutes, 20 seconds up with a weekly newspaper and and online publication that we are constantly contributing to? Yeah, 45:25 45 minutes, 25 seconds I have zero motivation to publish anything that is not absolutely factual. Sure. There's nothing in that for me. Sure. 45:33 45 minutes, 33 seconds Um, so I just think that people tend to be really polarized and they won't listen to anything that doesn't fit their worldview and and I think 45:41 45 minutes, 41 seconds sometimes we tend to get in one camp and we and we zip the tent shut and we just aren't willing to look at somebody 45:48 45 minutes, 48 seconds else's experience and somebody else's worldview. And I think it's a mistake. I think we do that with our politics. I think that we do that with our 45:57 45 minutes, 57 seconds neighborhoods. We do that with our faith. And I think it's important to just be a curious person and listen to 46:05 46 minutes, 5 seconds other people and to listen to multiple points of view because I think it just makes you a better student, a better 46:12 46 minutes, 12 seconds learner. And and ultimately that's what we're doing is we're sharing information, we're teaching, we're we're sharing news and hoping people learn. 46:21 46 minutes, 21 seconds And there's no there's no like deep state influence. So nobody's paying me underneath it. 46:28 46 minutes, 28 seconds There's no pockets getting lined here by you know some right or left leaning organization. Huh. Okay. I love that. I think uh I think you're doing a great 46:36 46 minutes, 36 seconds work. I think you're doing really good uh for the community. I think like you said um Lehi's lucky to have us or have you guys, you know, is what you said, 46:43 46 minutes, 43 seconds right? And I think you're right. I think they're I think we are very lucky to have you. It it information is only good to have more information and the more we can have the better. So, 46:53 46 minutes, 53 seconds and we we celebrate kids. Yeah. Yes. 46:55 46 minutes, 55 seconds And we celebrate people's accomplishments and we help share all the good news. You know, we probably are a little fluffy to be honest. 47:02 47 minutes, 2 seconds We're probably more fluffy than we probably should be, but we've always tried to do that and always tried to share what's good about our community. And who couldn't use more of that? 47:12 47 minutes, 12 seconds Yeah, agreed. Sally, thanks for coming on. Thank you, Ryan. Appreciate it. Appreciate you. Appreciate you. Chapter 14: Closing Thoughts & Acknowledgements 47:17 47 minutes, 17 seconds Thank you for joining us on Roots and Branches of Lehi. I hope today's story helped you feel a little more connected to the people who make up our community. 47:25 47 minutes, 25 seconds Remember, every person here has a unique story, and together we're what makes Lehi feel like home. If you know someone who would be a great fit for this 47:33 47 minutes, 33 seconds podcast, please fill out the form in the show notes so we can reach out and schedule an interview. We'd love to hear from you. A big thank you to our 47:40 47 minutes, 40 seconds sponsors, the Work Harding Home Mortgage team and Play Harding Nightly Vacation Rentals for supporting this show and helping us bring our community closer 47:47 47 minutes, 47 seconds together. Until next time, keep growing those roots and reaching out to your branches. Take care. Sync to video time
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