Introducing Cheshire CT Phoenix News – A Community News Project
Over the past several weeks I've been quietly developing a new community website:
https://www.cheshirectphoenixnews.com/
I'd like to share the vision behind it and invite your thoughts.
The goal is not to recreate newspapers of the past or compete with the many excellent Facebook groups, websites, sports pages, and social media creators that already serve Cheshire. Instead, I'd like to build something that brings them together.
My vision is a community news and information hub where residents can easily find:
• Local news and government information
• Community events
• Local history
• Sports
• Business news
• Arts and culture
• Nonprofit organizations
• Community resources
Today, much of Cheshire's news and information is spread across dozens of Facebook groups, websites, YouTube channels, X accounts, Instagram pages, and organizational websites. There are many talented people creating valuable local content, but it can be difficult for residents to discover everything that's happening.
Phoenix News aims to complement—not replace—these existing resources by helping residents find information in one central location while encouraging them to visit and support the original creators.
At the same time, we are committed to producing as much original content as our volunteer writers, photographers, historians, researchers, and community contributors can provide. Our hope is to build a growing library of original local reporting, feature stories, community profiles, historical articles, photographs, and event coverage that reflects the people and organizations that make Cheshire unique.
Initially, everything on the site will be available free of charge while we work to establish Phoenix News as a trusted and valuable community resource.
If the project proves successful, the long-term goal is to establish a nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors and supported through grants, donations, local advertising, website and content services for businesses and nonprofit organizations, sponsored content, merchandising, Google advertising, and other appropriate revenue-sharing opportunities.
Most importantly, this is not something one person can build alone.
I'd like to invite Facebook group administrators, local historians, photographers, sports media, civic organizations, nonprofits, businesses, schools, churches, and other community organizations to consider becoming community partners. Whether that means sharing information, contributing original content, allowing us to promote your organization, or simply helping residents discover the work you're already doing, every contribution helps strengthen our local information network.
One commitment I am making from the very beginning is to respect intellectual property rights. Whenever possible, Phoenix News will direct readers to original sources rather than republishing someone else's work. We will follow established copyright guidance regarding hyperlinks, social media embeds, RSS feeds, photographs, and other online content. The goal is to promote and support local creators—not appropriate their work.
This project is still in its early stages, and your ideas, suggestions, and constructive criticism are genuinely welcome. Community input will help shape what Phoenix News becomes.
There are many influential people in our community with the experience and resources to help ensure that Cheshire has a strong, sustainable hyperlocal news outlet. Before asking for that level of support, however, I'd like to demonstrate that there is also a dedicated group of residents willing to contribute their time, talents, and enthusiasm to making it succeed.
If you believe Cheshire would benefit from a collaborative community news organization that informs, connects, and celebrates our town, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Thank you for reading and for supporting local community journalism.
Rick Smith
Founder, Cheshire CT Phoenix News
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