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Each Monday, we will be profiling newsrooms big and small from across GateHouse in our Newsroom Profile feature. If you'd like to have your newsroom profiled here, just fill out the Newsroom Profile Questionnaire.
| Newspaper name and location: |
Canton Daily Ledger |
| Who is on your staff? |
Editor: Linda Woods |
| Website: |
www.cantondailyledger.com |
| Circulation: |
4,700 |
| Give us a short history of your newspaper |
The Daily Ledger is about to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2012. The newspaper is located one block away from the downtown and resides in an historic building which was constructed as a newspaper office in the early 1900s. The building's exterior has engraved carvings relating to the early newspaper industry. The interior of the main office was remodeled a good number of years ago, but above the false ceiling are gargoyles and other unique aspects of the building and its former grandeur. In early years, the newspaper office housed a local radio station. The Ledger has the unique opportunity to serve as the only daily newspaper (six days a week, excluding Sunday) for all of Fulton County. Our news stories revolve around the people and activities of those residing in Fulton County. A press is located in the building's basement and supports not only the Daily Ledger, but other area publications. |
| Tell us something unique about your community |
Our community is coming back from many years of hard times. The Parlin-Orendorff Plow Works business was established in Canton in the early 1800s and then became International Harvester in later years. The Parlin and Orendorff families left a wonderful legacy to the community in the way of endowments which continue to support a library, park district, and other important community offerings. We have a hospital (Graham Hospital) which was established by two Canton women. The hospital and a medical clinic continue to grow and take care of Fulton County residents. When International Harvester and the mining industry pulled out of the county, many families were left without jobs and many left. The empty IH factory site (two blocks from the downtown, burned to the ground and forward thinking city officials enlisted the help of the Environmental Protection Agency in getting the factory cleared from the site in the hopes that a new business could locate there. That business is now a big part of Canton's comeback. Former resident Bill Cook is the owner of Cook Medical and that company is the first to locate at the former IH site. Mr. Cook is always saving and renovating historic downtown buildings and is upgrading the Fulton Square Mall in the downtown area. The biggest boost to our rebounding community has come in the way of a four-story boutique hotel being constructed by Mr. Cook at the entryway to downtown. Other businesses have followed his lead and many downtown buildings have received grants to replace facades. Other Canton business owners have constructed new buildings. Fulton County has always offered a life rich in community, outdoor opportunities, theater and art. Dreams are beginning to take shape and good times are within our reach. |
| Do you have any quirky or fun newsroom traditions? Any mascots? What's your newsroom snack of choice? |
We each provide treats for everyone in the building on our own birthday. |
| What new initiatives does your newspaper have planned this year? |
We continue to add duties to help make the newspaper and Web site pleasing to our readers. The biggest story of the year is all of the projects which former resident Bill Cook has in progress. Our mission remains the same. We hope to listen to readers and tell their stories. We are revamping our standard Progress Edition and will give it a new name and new look. We are always open to readers requests. |
