Nine years ago, on April 26, 2006, the Branford Eagle was born. We started as a column and a few years later, in 2009, we grew our staff and became an online news site. We are part of the New Haven Independent, which is published by the not-for-profit Online Journalism Project. The Indy celebrates its 10th birthday this year.
We have had quite a run.
In 2014, CTNow’s Advocate voted the Branford Eagle the best hyperlocal news site in the New Haven area. And the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) honored the Branford Eagle with 17 awards, including three first place awards. Our awards encompassed reporting on all aspects of life in Branford.
In 2013, SPJ gave the Branford Eagle and its reporters and photographer 16 awards, including first place awards for its online coverage in 2012 of Superstorm Sandy.
Entries are judged by out-of-state judges, all of whom are professional journalists. In all, there were around 1,000 entries in the various media categories. SPJ was founded in 1909 and has chapters across the nation.
Our two contributing reporters, Sally E. Bahner, the former editor of the Branford Review, and her top reporter, Diana Stricker, have decades of professional newspaper experience. Diana was a reporter for the Tribune-Review in Greensburg, Pa., and the Patriot News in Harrisburg, Pa. Marcia Chambers has been a reporter for The New York Times and the Associated Press, and a columnist for the National Law Journal. Mary Johnson, who freelanced for the Branford Review, has provided readers with stunning photo coverage. So has Bill O’Brien, our newest photo-journalist who is covering high school sports for us.
We have provided in-depth coverage of town government, the police, courts, education, business development, the environment and now sports. We have covered numerous breaking stories, features and profiles. We are also on Facebook and Twitter.
The Branford Eagle also has a television news show on BCTV where we interview the town’s newsmakers on the local and state level.
Sending A Contribution
Our readers tell us they expect and rely on our professional coverage.
You can help us provide that coverage by giving us a birthday gift. We are a 501C‑3 and all contributions are tax-deductible.
Please send a contribution in the amount you can afford to:
Online Journalism Project
P.O Box 2067, Short Beach Station
Branford, CT 06405. Please mark “Branford Eagle” on your check.
Thank you, readers for all you do.
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