From the moment that Dr. Scot Refsland read the Greenbrier Independent’s March 27, 1890 edition (now West Virginia Daily News), he knew the Refsland family just had to be the new stewards of the Hinton News, The West Virginia Daily News, the West Virginian.
At the top of the first page, the newspaper’s main guiding statement from 1890 boldly stated:
“Nothing Shall Be Indifferent to Us Which Advances the Cause to Truth and Morality, or Which Concerns the Welfare of the Community in Which We Live.”
“I couldn’t be indifferent in letting a community’s foundation block like the Hinton News die.” says Scot. “The community paper started right after the Civil War in 1877 and served us faithfully through thick and thin, right up until COVID shut it down in March, 2020. Without a community paper, our community is at risk in becoming just another sprawling city without any thread and glue to bond us together. And that is of great concern to the welfare of our community in which we live.”
Once the offer was accepted to purchase the newspapers, Scot immediately rehired most of the existing Hinton News and Daily News staff to get the paper back up and the presses rolling once again.
“They are the most dedicated, passionate folks I’ve ever worked with.” says Scot. “We found that every employee we rehired had put so much heart and soul into the paper over the years that they too were adamant on not letting it die. It’s been the fastest startup with an immediate expert staff buildout that I’ve ever done. They are superheroes and we couldn’t have done what we’ve done in such a short time without all of us working as a dream team.”
The Refsland family has roots in the Greenbrier and Hinton communities going back many generations.
“My great grandparents were R. Raymond Woolf and Elinor W Riffe. They owned the Hinton Department Company (the old A.W. Cox Department Store and building). Elinor was teaching in Hinton when they met and got married. The Riffe cemetery still exists just above town.” says Scot. “But the most interesting thing is that eventually the building was sold to the City and turned into the Train Museum. My boys Eric and Cody are huge train fans and we’ve spent hours in the museum and of course at the Hinton Railroad days festival.”
But the road ahead isn’t going to be all sunshine and roses for the Hinton News. Community papers have been on the decline for the past few years as readers move to mobile digital news consumption.
“It’s going to be an uphill battle, and you’re going to need the community’s full support if it’s going to fly,” says Scot’s Dad, Ron when lecturing Scot on how to run the paper.
“Most of the younger generations probably won’t even know what a newspaper looks like, smells like, or feels like. It’s all online now.“ says Scot. “But what’s fascinating is, that there are several community newspapers who have not only made the digital leap successfully, but also have found new successes in a daily or weekly printed newspaper. Hinton is definitely one of those places where community support is incredible.”
It seems the elements to a successful community newspaper in today’s world is a mixture of a strong community filled with a good balance of new and multi-generational families.
“Folks like us, who flew the coop right after high school, are now coming home, bringing our young families to be near our parents and older families. We’re all tied to the legacy of the community, and are bringing fresh new ideas and the next generation of kids to help the community and paper thriving well into the future.”
“The newspaper also has to be owned and operated locally, with an unbiased interest in the community narrative and welfare.” says Scot. “It can’t be just an investment commodity; it has to be the intrinsic value and pulse of a vibrant community itself.”
Thank you for being a continuing supporter of your community and its paper. The Hinton News wouldn’t be able to live again without you, our loyal subscribers, advertisers and readers.
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