It’s National Newspaper Week
Meet your Pilot News staff
1. When did you start working for the Pilot News Group?
I started working for the Pilot on July 1, 2015 as a staff writer.
2. What are some of your duties and responsibilities?
I cover town/ city/ county government meetings. Some of those meetings include, but not limited to,
County: Council, Commissioner, Board of Zoning appeals, Plan Commission, Drainage Board; Plymouth: Common Council, Board of Public Works and Safety, Park Board, Redevelopment Commission, Board of Zoning appeals and
Plan Commission; argos: Town Council and Cemetery Board. When I’m not covering meetings, I also cover events and activities that are happening around the county. I also assist my Managing Editor by proofing the newspaper pages for the
next day, type of jail bookings, and whatever odds and ends that are placed before me. I’m also a Social Media Manager of
sorts in that I’m responsible for handling our Facebook page (@ Pilotnewsgroup), our Twitter account (@Pilotnewsgroup), our Instagram account ( the_ pilotnews) and our website (www. thepilotnews.com). I think that sums it up.
3. What’s it like working for a newspaper?
For one thing, it improves your words per minute speed, haha. If I’m being completely honest, when I started here five years ago, I didn’t care about the county I lived in. Before my bosses fire me, hear me out. I sought out this job because I was fresh out of college looking for a job that aligned with my English degree from IUSB. Fast forward five years later, I have a greater appreciation for the people, businesses, and the leadership of Marshall County. Having to sit through government meetings, lengthy ones at times, I understand that the elected officials have one common goal: making Marshall County/plymouth/ Argos/ Bourbon/ Bremen/ Culver/lapaz a better place than when they took office. And that goes for everyone else too. I’ve seen people holding vigils, participate in awareness walks, holding fundraisers, and doing great things in order to make Marshall County a place where people want to live and raise their families in.
That’s what it’s like working for a local newspaper. You get to see brilliance in motion.
4. Why is it important for people to read the newspaper?
When the coronavirus hit and Governor Eric Holcomb shut down the state so that only essential businesses and travel could operate, things seemed pretty dark. Even now in the modified Stage Five, things aren’t as sunny as they once were.
Here are some headlines that appeared on the front page of the Pilot News:
• Tuesday, March 17: Triton student exceeds $13k for cancer campaign
• Thursday, March 19: Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter encourages Marshall County to combat oppression with encouragement
• Friday, March 20: JGSC provides meals to students
• Weekend, March 21-22: Pastor Hyer hopes to bring spirits higher with ‘Baskets of Light’
• Weekend, March 28-29: HRT racing to win the fight against COVID-19
• Thursday, April 2: Marshall Clevenger designs PPE for PFD, EMS, PPD, and medical staff
• Wednesday, April 8: Celebrate Recovery is being offered at Plymouth Church of the Brethren
• Tuesday, April 14: Community Crossings Matching Grant to bring over $1M into Marshall County
• Friday, April 17: Food Bank of Northern Indiana distributes boxes of food to those in need
• Monday, April 20: Local teachers busy constructing protective face shields for first responders
• Thursday, April 30: MC Crossroads announces ‘Fund the
Essentials’ campaign
I could list more, but I’m running out of space. Why is it important for people to read the LOCAL newspaper?
Simply put: It gives people hope.
Jamie Fleury/culver Citizen Editor, Pilot News Staff Writer
1. When did you start working for the Pilot News Group?
I started “working” for the Pilot News Group in the fall of 1996, when I was a senior at Culver Community High School. I wanted to write for the paper and was offered a correspondent position to cover football. Since I knew nothing about football, what I submitted that evening was an apology that I could not provide an intelligent article on the game, though I attended, because I knew nothing of the sport. It was years later in 2015 that I responded to an advertisement in the paper seeking correspondents to cover features. My first piece printed in May 2015. I accepted a full time position with the paper that same year, but after being reunited with my first love I moved to Florida. When we moved back to Indiana I resumed writing as a correspondent for the paper in October 2017. By March 2018 I was offered a full time position again and have been writing for the paper ever since. I have written for the Pilot News Group as Jamie Fleury, Jamie Peacock, Jamie Stoner and Jamie Fleury. Yes, I am back to my maiden name. Story for another time. *wink
2. What are some of your duties and responsibilities?
I am a staff writer for the Pilot News and the Editor of the Culver Citizen. I submit content to the Pilot News daily, including weekend coverage, and am responsible for the content that prints weekly in the Culver Citizen. I cover several non-profit groups on a regular basis, some government meetings, and feature stories. My editor, Jim Master, has had to tell me to limit my word count, “it’s not a novel”. On my social media page you will find that I now identify as a “newspaper novelist”. I do tend to provide in-depth coverage. I also hope, especially when it comes to life changing topics, to include helpful information and resources for those who are in need of connection to opportunities to improve their life or situation. Your story matters to me. My readers matter to me. I take my job very seriously and love every minute of it. I have written some heart wrenching stories of courage, and inspiring stories of those who are advocating for change. Even when I have to cover sad or bad news, I always look for the hopers and the helpers.
3. What’s it like working for a newspaper?
I love my job. I don’t have “typical” hours because you cannot schedule the news. You will find the best way to reach me is using my personal cell number or messaging me on Facebook. I’ve communicated at various times, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For features, I hit the record button on my phone and ask you to talk to me as you would a friend. By the end of the interview; we have likely become friends. But people tend to relate better to the humanity in each other. Share your heart with me and I’ll share it with our readers. That’s how we connect and make the world a better place.
4. Why is it important for people to read the newspaper?
The newspaper upholds the spirit of democracy in the United States. We are the watchdogs for our communities. We laugh with you. We cry with you. We know you by name. We have to write hard stories about leaders we care about; because we value the truth over personal preference. We lose sleep at night knowing far more about the needs of thousands of people in our community than most people have access to in their private lives. While some would say we are “fake news” and that the media is not important; people do not understand once that presence is gone; gone with it will be a huge portion of government accountability.
Closing Comments: Thank you for sharing your stories with me. Thank you for helping me verify information that is not always easy to understand or communicate. It is an honor and a privilege to be your hometown reporter.
Jamie Fleury Peacock Stoner Fleury
I thought I would take this opportunity to confirm for all of our readers that yes - I did change my name a lot. ;)