We launched everythinglagrange.com with the intent of providing a one-stop, online source for everything you want to know about La Grange, Illinois. After all, people increasingly are turning to the Internet to find information about topics that are important to them. Well, what could be more topical than the town in which you live, work and/or play?
We began by compiling the kind of information you would expect to find in a good community guidebook. You know, include stuff like restaurant listings, history, demographics. But we figured that, being on the World Wide Web, we could kick it up a notch because on the Web we aren't limited by the number of pages in a book. We can give every subject the space it deserves. Because the Web is inherently multimedia, we can incorporate audio, video and neat stuff like mapping all the restaurants, or all the new houses in town, even whatever crime might be reported.
Most important, because the Web also is interactive, we envisioned from the start giving visitors like yourself opportunities to make contributions to the site from the comfort of your keyboard.
That's what the daily is all about. It's a new way of covering the news in La Grange, and you are invited to join the adventure. We always knew that, sooner or later, our site would include the timely reporting of news events that occur in, or affect, La Grange. Well, that time is now.
the daily is a blog, a journal where we intend to provide day-to-day coverage of news and other happenings, as well as observations about life in and around the Village. It is not of a calendar of events. We 're still building that feature elsewhere on the site, and you will be invited to participate there as well when it is up and running. the daily is what a local newspaper might be like online if it stopped thinking like a newspaper and embraced the Web for all it has to offer, and if it started treating its readers as citizens of the community instead of just viewing them as consumers for all the advertising they run.
To give you an idea of what the daily might eventually look like, check out these two Web sites, baristanet.com and h2otown.info. While we were not aware of either of these sites when we launched everythinglagrange.com, we had a hunch there were people in other towns with visions similar to ours.
It turns out that we are part of an emerging force on the Web known as hyperlocal journalism, where truly local news gets major coverage; where, as one fellow publisher describes it, "Little League games are covered like they are the World Series." Well, ok, our sports section is non-existent at this point, but hey, maybe there's an area where you can make your mark.
Here's how it works.
We will prime the pump by posting items to the daily on a daily basis—items that we think are newsworthy. You can contribute in either of two ways:
- Post a comment to any item, sharing your insights or opinions on what you have read.
- Become a citizen journalist and post your own items.
There are some caveats. In order to do either you must first register. It is a simple procedure and the few bits of personal information we require will be kept confidential. We promise that we will never share your information or use it for any other purpose without your prior approval.
To register for commenting, simply click on the word Comments at the bottom of any posted item (except those rare few that may be closed to any comment). Your remarks will appear immediately after you send them.
We realize that your comments may not always be positive in nature. That's fine, we encourage constructive criticism. However, we expect you to express yourself in a civil manner. After all, other people reading your comments may include your neighbors, your friends or coworkers, maybe even your mother.
Under no circumstances will the following be tolerated: profanity, obscenities, libelous statements or commentary, provocations or threats to commit hostile or criminal acts, baseless rants, and anything else that might be commonly considered to be nasty or in poor taste. We will be the ultimate judges because it is, after all, our site. All comments will be monitored, and any non-conforming comment will be removed as soon as it is spotted. Fail to adhere to these simple rules and your privileges will be revoked. Simple as that.
To register for posting privileges, send us an email. Tell us something about yourself, and what topics you would like to write about. This way we will know you are a person, not a Web-bot. We will then send you an invitation to start posting. Allow up to 24 hours for this process to occur.
One you have privileges, you can post items that include text, photos, even sound bites or videos. Be creative, but always newsworthy and informative. You also can use your posting interface to alert us to items that you think we should research and report on because you are too busy doing something else.
As with comments, all posted items must satisfy the criteria stated above. They should also be true, timely, accurate and relevant. Again, we will be the judges but, in the event we reject an item, we will tell you why we did so. Being witty and entertaining is a plus, but is not required.
Initially, your items will be subject to screening before they can be posted. This is similar to a newspaper reporter submitting his or her copy to an editor. Allow up to 24 hours for this process, as well.
Once you have established yourself as a trusted citizen journalist, you may be allowed to post your items immediately without prior screening. We look forward to having many CJs earn this privilege. Then readers of the daily will be able to get timely reports of any major happenings in La Grange, like a big fire, highway accident or other catastrophe. We sincerely pray those things don't occur but, hey, this is the news business.
If you are a prolific writer and have something truly unique to contribute, we may even offer you your own blog on this site.
The opportunities, we think, are virtually boundless. Hyperlocal journalism is a new frontier. It's not just reporting the news, it's an adventure. Well, the Navy it isn't, but it is a real community service and can be a lot of fun.
So why not join us?