A Staff Report
BladenOnline.com, a beloved and trusted source of news and information for Bladen County, North Carolina, has come a long way since its inception in 2007. Founded by the late Michael Simmons and Robert G. Hester, this digital media outlet has undergone several transformations to serve its readers and the community better over the years.
The story of BladenOnline.com begins with the vision of Simmons and Hester. Both had extensive experience in the newspaper and radio broadcasting industries. Simmons, who had retired from the news business in 2006, was looking for an outlet for his creative talents. Together, Simmons and Hester decided to create a news outlet that would serve the community they cherished, Bladen County.
The duo embarked on their journey to bring BladenOnline.com to life during the summer of 2007. They met with others involved in similar efforts in the eastern part of the state, and their plans were set for a mid-October launch. However, tragedy struck when Simmons suffered a fatal heart attack, leaving the community and Hester devastated. Hester lost not only a long-time friend and former neighbor but also his soon-to-be business partner.
Despite the devastating loss, Robert G. Hester, a former business owner and Bladen County Commissioner, decided to “charge forward” in honor of his late friend Simmons and his vision for BladenOnline.com. With the assistance of other dedicated team members, Hester transformed BladenOnline into Bladen County’s go-to media outlet.
In 2014, Hester decided to slow down and made the difficult decision to sell the business. In September of the same year, BladenOnline was acquired by Online News & Advertising, LLC, a local family-owned business. Under new ownership, the company continued to evolve and expand its offerings to serve the community.
In 2017, during BladenOnline’s 10th year in existence, the team expanded its services. While the website BladenOnline.com, remained a crucial source of information, the company also turned to social media and introduced the Bladen County Beautiful magazine. These additions allowed BladenOnline to highlight why Bladen County is a fantastic place to live, work, and play.
As the years have passed, BladenOnline.com has continued to evolve. Recently, the company made a notable change in its approach. The website has adopted a new black-and-white theme and shifted its focus from covering crime reports and other negative news to being a hub for community, communication, and education. BladenOnline.com aims to be a resource for the community, emphasizing positive stories, community events, and useful information that benefits Bladen County residents.
“The Best Is Yet to Come”
Throughout its journey, BladenOnline.com has remained committed to its mission of helping the community communicate and stay informed. The company’s dedication is epitomized by the words of Robert Hester, who often says, “The best is yet to come.” This spirit of optimism and growth continues to drive the company’s efforts to serve Bladen County.
BladenOnline.com’s journey from its inception in 2007 to its recent change in approach is a testament to its dedication to the community and its evolution with the times. As the company continues to grow and adapt, it remains a valuable resource for Bladen County, a place where residents can come together to celebrate their community and look forward to the future with hope and positivity.
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