It’s been fascinating these past few weeks sorting through Toledo Free Press issues dating back to March 16, 2005.
I was the editor of my college paper when TFP launched, but I remember seeing an early copy when I was home on a break. In my mind, it’s the very first issue, but I could be mistaken.
Nationally, Scott Peterson was sentenced to death for the killing of his pregnant wife, the controversy over removing Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube was raging in Florida and Martha Stewart had just been released from prison.
Locally, the Tom Noe coin scandal was heating up, developers David Ball and Jimmy Jackson had a plan to transform the steam plant into luxury apartments and the Mud Hens were soon to be riding high as Governors’ Cup champions. The Veterans Glass City Skyway wasn’t there. Neither was Huntington Center. Southwyck Mall was still open. Later that year, Carty would be elected to his third term.
It’s true that 10 years is only a blip on the radar in the grand scheme of things, but I hope you’ll forgive us the indulgence of marking the milestone by revisiting some of our past coverage this week. Just because it’s our birthday, of course, doesn’t mean today’s news stops. All our regular coverage can be found online at toledofreepress.com.
I’ve been with TFP since September 2010, almost half its existence. Founding Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller isn’t here to write a new Lighting the Fuse column, but we hope he looks back on the legacy he left in Toledo with pride.
Republished online are Miller’s first column along with TFP President and Publisher Tom Pounds’ first column. They highlight their hopes for the paper: to offer a fair, independent, community-focused voice, to focus on the positive while not shying away from hard questions, to have a mission but not an agenda. Ten years later, those goals are unchanged.
Our coverage is written by local writers, about and for the local community. After 10 years, we’re still refining each day our role in the community and how we can best and more responsibly serve our readers and earn their trust.
Happy birthday, TFP! Here’s to many more.
Thanks for reading.
Sarah Ottney is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press.
