In January of 1985 Steve Horton and his fiance Dawn distributed a four-page newsletter at a few local businesses in Horton's hometown. It was called the "Fowlerville News & Views". The couple was married that February and each week since then, for over 24 years now, the two of them have been putting out the publication.

It serves Fowlerville and Webberville.

"We've grown since that first edition, which is why we've managed to stay in business," said Steve. "The initial run was 1,000 copies and we now distribute over 7,000. After the first two years we switched to a tabloid size newspaper and recently it's been averaging 28 pages."

The news is community oriented. It includes happenings at the schools, churches, and clubs, coverage of local government, obituaries, engagements, births, weddings, sports, and profiles of area residents.

"There's nothing out of the ordinary about what we're putting in the paper," noted Steve, "other than it's about local people and what's going on in the two towns. People like reading about other people, particularly their friends and neighbors."

"The advertising, which supports the business, reflects that local emphasis. The businesses, professional services, organizations, and others who run ads with us are primarily from Fowlerville and Webberville," said Dawn. "The rest come from neighboring towns like Howell and Williamston, customers who want to reach this market."

"Since we've started, we've sought to offer an advertising vehicle that is affordable to the small businesses in this area and effectively reaches their primary target customers who reside in Western Livingston County and Eastern Ingham County," added Steve.

"I feel the news and advertisements go hand-in-hand," he pointed out. "If people are interested in reading the paper, then they're more likely to see your ad. Also, letting people know what's available, whether it's a special sale at your store or listing what services you offer, is part of the total information package. I think people pick up the paper each week not only to find out what's going on at the school or what council is up to, but find out what the grocery specials are and what's in the auto repair coupon."

The 'News & Views' is distributed free' each Monday. Carriers delivery approximately 4,500 copies to homes in the Fowlerville area, while the remaining 2,500 papers are available at stores, offices, and public places in Fowlerville, Webberville, Williamston and Howell. Papers are also available through first-class mail subscriptions.

"Our primary coverage and delivery area is the Fowlerville and Webberville School Districts," said Dawn.

The former (a Class B school district) is over 200 square miles in size and includes the Village of Fowlerville as well as Handy, Iosco, and Conway Townships (with approximately 10,000 residents). The latter (a Class D school) is smaller, covering the Village of Webberville and parts of Leroy, Locke and White Oak Townships.

Both Villages are located on Grand River Highway with close proximity to the I-96 freeway that runs between Detroit and Lansing.

Dawn and Steve Horton, Owners of the Fowlerville News & Views

PAPER HEARKENS TO BYGONE TIME

The 'Fowlerville News & Views' hearkens to a bygone time when most small towns were served by a weekly newspaper, owned and operated by an editor-publisher.

"It's no secret that we live in a time of economic consolidation," said Steve. "Large companies buy up smaller ones, or two large competitors merge into a mega entity. Newspapers have been part of this trend that's been going on over the past few decades. Most small-town weeklies in populated regions, like southern Michigan, are part of a large media company. Or else the town is considered too small to support a weekly, so it's news and advertising are handled by a publication from a larger, neighboring community. We're the exception to that prevailing situation. We're a mom and pop' operation.

"A paper that's part of a chain can offer a lot of bells and whistles' that we can't," noted Steve. "It certainly has more resources. But our advantage is that we know our community. I have family and friends here. I went to school with a number of my customers. Some of the government and school officials I report on are people I've known for years and, I hope, trust me to be fair while still understanding that the paper needs to cover the news on behalf of its readers.

"I do, however, recognize that most of our local residents aren't looking for the 'News & Views' to be a muckraking outfit or a scandal sheet," he added. "They get plenty of that elsewhere. They're looking for something a little softer in tone and presentation from their local paper. "

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Community involvement is part of operating the newspaper, said the Hortons.

"I was honored to be the first woman asked to join the Fowlerville Rotary Club about 20 years ago and have served twice as its president," said Dawn.

She has also been a member of the Fowlerville Downtown Development Authority for several years and currently serves as the group's treasurer.

For over 10 years, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the newspaper sponsored and put on the Ladies Day Program at the Fowlerville Fair and also helped with the harness racing event. In addition, the couple put together the fair book on behalf of the Fowlerville Agricultural Society.

Currently, the 'News & Views' produces the Fowlerville High School Athletic Programs and for the past five years has published the annual Fowlerville Business Directory', published in March.

The newspaper is also part of the recently-formed Fowlerville Business Association.

The newspaper staff includes: Sue Kretchman, office manager; Raye Grill; and Bill Call, who handles billing and oversees the sales of the 'Business Directory'.

The 'Fowlerville News & Views' is located at 202 E. Grand River, Fowlerville. The mailing address is P.O. Box 937. The phone number is (517) 223-8760. The fax number is (517) 223-4177, and the e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it