The Other Newspaper Is An Embarrassment

[goodtimesintv]

I understand why we need another newspaper in TV (online), and not just "the happy paper".

But seriously.

Every single time I want to email an interesting article about the things that would attract friends/relatives to coming to experience TV and possibly rent/buy a place, the article I want to send is totally surrounded by the scum of the earth disgusting mug shots, poisonously partisan letters and columns, and sensationalizing NewsMax headlines. This is the case right now with a wonderful account of the Johnny Mathis concert. It it surrounded by utter trash.

The paper has all the trappings of a tabloid rag and I'm embarrassed to send the article links to friends around the country, because of the trash that would seem to characterize TV as something it is not. I've contacted the paper before about this, but they seem to like it this way.

[HoosierPa]

whats the name of other newspaper you refer to ?

[goodtimesintv]

whats the name of other newspaper you refer to ?

If we put the name or link here it gets blocked out by this forum--advertiser competition I guess. Try villages hyphen news dot com.

[Biker Dog]

You should be able to copy and paste the article into your email/

[KeepingItReal]

The paper has all the trappings of a tabloid rag and I'm embarrassed to send the article links to friends around the country, because of the trash that would seem to characterize TV as something it is not. I've contacted the paper before about this, but they seem to like it this way.



Let's see, it is trash but there are articles you want to send to someone else??? You should be able to send the link to a particular story...Maybe it has all the other stories because they cover all the news and not just the happy stuff.... :jester:

[gerryann]

It is a smutty newspaper.....but it's not just news of the villages (even though they use the name). It's the whole area....and free, and you don't have to look at it......just saying.

[goodtimesintv]

Let's see, it is trash but there are articles you want to send to someone else??? You should be able to send the link to a particular story...Maybe it has all the other stories because they cover all the news and not just the happy stuff.... :jester:

That's what I do or want to do--copy the link and send just the link. But the trash is on both sides of the good article's page, as well as the front page lead-in to the article when the email recipient opens said link.

And yes, I do know I can copy just the article text and I do that. But highlighting just the article text often picks up all the trashy advertising text-graphics boxes on both sides and the formatting gets lost or jumbled up when pasting into the email.

[goodtimesintv]

It is a smutty newspaper.....but it's not just news of the villages (even though they use the name). It's the whole area....and free, and you don't have to look at it......just saying.

I realize I don't have to look at it. But the happy paper (Daily Sun) doesn't cover all the good things, either, such as the Johnny Mathis Concert, OR they do cover it online but they don't publish the whole article online b/c they want print subscribers. For people outside this area, the happy paper refuses to offer online subscriptions to the print edition in PDF file downloads like other newspapers have been doing for years.

[tomwed]

There is an app [application] named Clearly that may help copy and paste.

You might not be giving your friends enough credit to trust your good judgement.

[RickeyD]

I understand why we need another newspaper in TV (online), and not just "the happy paper".

But seriously.

Every single time I want to email an interesting article about the things that would attract friends/relatives to coming to experience TV and possibly rent/buy a place, the article I want to send is totally surrounded by the scum of the earth disgusting mug shots, poisonously partisan letters and columns, and sensationalizing NewsMax headlines. This is the case right now with a wonderful account of the Johnny Mathis concert. It it surrounded by utter trash.

The paper has all the trappings of a tabloid rag and I'm embarrassed to send the article links to friends around the country, because of the trash that would seem to characterize TV as something it is not. I've contacted the paper before about this, but they seem to like it this way.


I think the mug shots are a rip. Especially the ones who are Villages residents. I've thought about the homeowner/renter ratio on these. I'm thinking mostly renters, but I may be wrong. Anyone that wants to rate a particular area good, bad or in between only need do a search on sex offenders. 32162 has the most, 32163 not as much. Florida attracts the good, bad and ugly. We are not immune. The other newspaper may be a rag but the crimes they report are not made up. Personally I would want to know if there is a dirtbag on my street. I prefer not to bury my head in the sand.

[gomoho]

If someone told me about paradise and I believed them and bought into said paradise I would wonder about that friend when I found out there was another side to the story as there always is.

[graciegirl]

I have heard from a very reliable source that although folks may complain about the mug shots....that is the area with the most hits.


I like the shhh online news. I don't like the nasty comments sometimes that posters post there. That wouldn't happen here. Thank you moderators.

[Inexes@aol.com]

There are many free tools available for computer that allow you to clip just the part you want to send, ie, Snip-it, IMToolPack. They allow you to take a snapshot of the article, with exactly what you want, save it and mail it. Very handy tools

[Barefoot]

The paper has all the trappings of a tabloid rag and I'm embarrassed to send the article links to friends around the country, because of the trash that would seem to characterize TV as something it is not. I've contacted the paper before about this, but they seem to like it this way.

I don't think the online newspaper is characterizing The Villages as "something it is not".
Yes, some of the reporting is "sensationalized", but readers have a choice. They can choose not to read the Crime Section.
And since Gracie's contact says it the area with the most hits, I assume a lot of people are interested in what crimes are being committed in and around TV.

[tomwed]

I have heard from a very reliable source that although folks may complain about the mug shots....that is the area with the most hits.


I like the shhh online news. I don't like the nasty comments sometimes that posters post there. That wouldn't happen here. Thank you moderators.
Why would someone complain? Isn't it a cheap deterrent? Isn't that what it's supposed to be?

Whenever I see a villager getting caught for shoplifting I wonder how many get away with shoplifting and how many are deterred because everyone will see their picture.

The rest of us know right from wrong.

Take a look at this from NPR Of Counsel: Unique Sentence for First-Time Shoplifters - Florida Trend (http://www.floridatrend.com/article/3725/of-counsel-unique-sentence-for-first-time-shoplifters)

[manaboutown]

IMO the other paper performs an important public safety service by bringing to the public who want to know what really goes on in the area (probably not the folks wearing rose colored glasses, with their heads in the sand or loaded on Kool-Aid) short factual accounts of crimes committed in and around The Villages and reported arrests along with mug shots of the alleged perpetrators. I follow that paper and do not find its reports on criminal activity sensationalistic or smutty (The Villages Enquirer it is not!); I find its reports brief, to the point and rather dry

[Diver]

Personally I like the crime section and the mug shots. They are always good for a laugh and a reminder that we still live in the real world. You have freedom of choice if you don't like it. But who can't find humor in a hula dancing DWI or fights with line dancers?

[tomwed]

I understand why we need another newspaper in TV (online), and not just "the happy paper".

But seriously.

Every single time I want to email an interesting article about the things that would attract friends/relatives to coming to experience TV and possibly rent/buy a place, the article I want to send is totally surrounded by the scum of the earth disgusting mug shots, poisonously partisan letters and columns, and sensationalizing NewsMax headlines. This is the case right now with a wonderful account of the Johnny Mathis concert. It it surrounded by utter trash.

The paper has all the trappings of a tabloid rag and I'm embarrassed to send the article links to friends around the country, because of the trash that would seem to characterize TV as something it is not. I've contacted the paper before about this, but they seem to like it this way.
Two points:
Have you ever read who puts the paper together? http://www.**************.com/about-us/ They seem like the kind of people I would hang out with.

When I go to the Front page I don't see the trashy things you see. I get advertisements for golf carts, real estate, reading glasses, tips for golfers over 65, philps toyota, newsmax health, a gift of a life line, two men and a truck, ultimate golf seating and Melania Trump Returns Home and Donald Is Shocked by Her New Look. The ads pay for the site.
I wonder why we see different ads?

[HoosierPa]

I am New and before I discovered " the Happy Paper Alternative " I wondered how I would know what is really going on in the area. Now I know !

[Boomer]

never mind

[Bogie Shooter]

never mind

I agree!

[jjdees]

Sounds like good times in The Villages are rather sparse. if one doesn't like the Sun, don't read it. The answer to the unhappiness here is not to eliminate what is not liked, it's to look for another source of news. The Sentinel should provide what's wanted. There's usually something there that's anti Villages. Find a new source. Live and let live. Enjoy.

[justjim]

The no name online news is an alternative to the happy paper and has its place in our media world. I read both just as I watch more than one cable channel. Enough said.

[Nucky]

Why would someone complain? Isn't it a cheap deterrent? Isn't that what it's supposed to be?

Whenever I see a villager getting caught for shoplifting I wonder how many get away with shoplifting and how many are deterred because everyone will see their picture.

The rest of us know right from wrong.

Take a look at this from NPR Of Counsel: Unique Sentence for First-Time Shoplifters - Florida Trend (http://www.floridatrend.com/article/3725/of-counsel-unique-sentence-for-first-time-shoplifters)

Helllooo Jerry! Remember Uncle Leo stealing books. My kids laugh like hell they call The Villages, Del Boca Vista where Jerry's parents lived. They also claim I steal batteries like his parents. I don't want my picture in that paper unless I got arrested for defending my family or a friend. :jester:

[tomwed]

Helllooo Jerry! Remember Uncle Leo stealing books. My kids laugh like hell they call The Villages, Del Boca Vista where Jerry's parents lived. They also claim I steal batteries like his parents. I don't want my picture in that paper unless I got arrested for defending my family or a friend. :jester:
When I told my kids I live off of Buena Vista they started calling it Del Buena Vista. They're pretty comfortable teasing me too. I'm chairman of a neighborhood group and that just gives them more to tease me about.

[fred53]

I understand why we need another newspaper in TV (online), and not just "the happy paper".

But seriously.

Every single time I want to email an interesting article about the things that would attract friends/relatives to coming to experience TV and possibly rent/buy a place, the article I want to send is totally surrounded by the scum of the earth disgusting mug shots, poisonously partisan letters and columns, and sensationalizing NewsMax headlines. This is the case right now with a wonderful account of the Johnny Mathis concert. It it surrounded by utter trash.

The paper has all the trappings of a tabloid rag and I'm embarrassed to send the article links to friends around the country, because of the trash that would seem to characterize TV as something it is not. I've contacted the paper before about this, but they seem to like it this way.

name one place with this size population that is any different...surprise! You can not. Put this many people in a small area and you get problems. Just move out if you don't like it. I'm sure small town America will welcome you...of course you won't have the amenities, but hey you can stop whining about the paper.

[Nucky]

When I told my kids I live off of Buena Vista they started calling it Del Buena Vista. They're pretty comfortable teasing me too. I'm chairman of a neighborhood group and that just gives them more to tease me about.

Good Night Morty (Seinfeld's Dad).

[Fred R]

I read this thread and simply shake my head. If you think the daily sun is not very good you should see what we have here in Cincinnati to read. Our local daily paper is about the size of an eight and 0.5 x 11 sheet of paper. It's a dollar 50 per day and they charge you to read it online. Where else can you get a daily paper the size of the Daily Sun with all the features it has for $.18 a day. I would venture to say nowhere. Our local paper in the villages may not be perfect but it provides news, information, coupons, and informative special features. Besides there are so many other sources for news and information today. I get my national news from the Internet and I'm sure most others do the same.

[tomwed]

Good Night Morty (Seinfeld's Dad).
Good Night Jack Klumpus

[goodtimesintv]

I read this thread and simply shake my head. If you think the daily sun is not very good you should see what we have here in Cincinnati to read. Our local daily paper is about the size of an eight and 0.5 x 11 sheet of paper. It's a dollar 50 per day and they charge you to read it online. Where else can you get a daily paper the size of the Daily Sun with all the features it has for $.18 a day. I would venture to say nowhere. Our local paper in the villages may not be perfect but it provides news, information, coupons, and informative special features. Besides there are so many other sources for news and information today. I get my national news from the Internet and I'm sure most others do the same.

Fred, I agree with every word you wrote, especially the last two sentences highlighted above.

But in this case, I was reading local entertainment news that did not appear in the Daily Sun. It appeared in villages hyphen news dot com, for which I agreed in my first post that there is a need.

Again, I think it's trashy to surround a good article like the one on Johnny Mathis being here had been planned by Oscar Feliu. It is surrounded at the top right and left with ads that look like a ransom note (see screenshot below).

Then after the end of the same article, a good article about Michigan State University Alumni group here (helping middle schools with grants) is buried, surrounded above and below with mug shots and lurid article titles. (See second screenshot below.)

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/57149d1452911998-other-newspaper-embarrassment-screen-shot-2016-01-15-9-28-44-pm-jpg

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/57148d1452911924-other-newspaper-embarrassment-screen-shot-2016-01-15-9-28-20-pm-jpg

.

[tomwed]

Fred, I agree with every word you wrote, especially the last two sentences highlighted above.

But in this case, I was reading local entertainment news that did not appear in the Daily Sun. It appeared in villages hyphen news dot com, for which I agreed in my first post that there is a need.

Again, I think it's trashy to surround a good article like the one on Johnny Mathis being here had been planned by Oscar Feliu. It is surrounded at the top right and left with ads that look like a ransom note (see screenshot below).

Then after the end of the same article, a good article about Michigan State University Alumni group here (helping middle schools with grants) is buried, surrounded above and below with mug shots and lurid article titles. (See second screenshot below.)

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/57149d1452911998-other-newspaper-embarrassment-screen-shot-2016-01-15-9-28-44-pm-jpg

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/57148d1452911924-other-newspaper-embarrassment-screen-shot-2016-01-15-9-28-20-pm-jpg

.
I must be missing it. Which article is lurid or salacious?
(of writing, pictures, or talk) treating sexual matters in an indecent way and typically conveying undue interest in or enjoyment of the subject.
You don't want the paper to show you what the arrested people look like?
The space on each side is sold to advertisers to make money. That's why you get it for free. How much would you pay for it without the ads?

[goodtimesintv]

I must be missing it. Which article is lurid or salacious?
(of writing, pictures, or talk) treating sexual matters in an indecent way and typically conveying undue interest in or enjoyment of the subject.
You don't want the paper to show you what the arrested people look like?

I should have said "sensationalized" instead of lurid in the case of this screenshot. A drunk young female getting loud and aggressive at a bar, or somebody's bamboo fence, hardly merit mug shot or photo with front-page and inside-page separate article, while the mention of the hospital's celebration of Cardiac Rehab patients or 'Veterans to be offered assistance'--good citizens--on the sides are largely overshadowed.

And regarding this,

You don't want the paper to show you what the arrested people look like?

.....no, I don't want to see what a 30-year-old female who got drunk and could be any Villager's daughter or granddaughter looks like.

[Regor]

If you want to send the article, just highlight it and then paste. Like I did below for the Michigan article:

Villages Area Michigan State University Alumni Club supports local education efforts

JANUARY 15, 2016 BY ANGELA LOVE LEAVE A COMMENT


Proving once again what a generous lot most Villagers are, The Villages Area Michigan State University Alumni Club awarded education grants to three middle schools in Marion County Thursday evening at their annual meeting. This is their sixth year of presenting the grants. The club rotates between Marion, Sumter, and Lake counties; providing grants for worthwhile projects that are not funded in the general budget.

This year $500 grants went to Osceola Middle School, Howard Middle School and North Middle School. The club raises money for these grants throughout the year by selling 50/50 raffle tickets at meetings and their annual Casino Night event.

Grant recipients, from left, Scott Spangler, Suzette Parker, Ernest Mitchell and Marion County School Superintendent George Tomyn.
Grant recipients, from left, Scott Spangler, Suzette Parker, Ernest Mitchell and Marion County School Superintendent George Tomyn.
George Tomyn, superintendent of schools for Marion County opened the presentation ceremony by thanking the club for all they do to support children. He also commended the recipients for their initiative to apply for this special grant which covers unique opportunities. Karen Sherman, chairman of the education committee for the club then presented the checks to the recipients.

Principal Suzette Parker accepted the check for Osceola Middle School. The grant money will be used to purchase Playaways for their media-center. Playaways are credit card sized self-contained audio books. She said in accepting the check that the purpose of the Playaways are two-fold, “They help struggling readers sit and enjoy a book and they help our are very active kids busy with so many extra-curricular activities, listen to audio books saving time while they earn AR points.”

The Villages Area Michigan State University Alumni Club outgoing president Don Hand and Education Committee Chair Karen Sherman.
The Villages Area Michigan State University Alumni Club outgoing president Don Hand and Education Committee Chair Karen Sherman.
The next check was presented to Howard Middle School Assistant Principal Ernest Mitchell. They will use the money to partially fund the rewards earned by the 14 teams participating in the Math Fantasy League. The League is for students not performing well in math, Mitchell said. Currently they have 223 students participating. In the past year 107 students have gained more than half a year with seven students gaining a year’s growth in Math. The competition of the teams spurs them to enjoy learning and along the way helps them to become proficient in Math.

Scott Spangler, teacher and Captain of the Civil Air Patrol accepted the award for North Marion Middle School. He started the Civil Air Patrol at his school less than a year ago and with 64 cadets it is already the largest student unit in the state of Florida. The patrol is an auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The students meet early in the morning before school starts. The money will be used to purchase guidons which for the uninitiated are flags used to identify their squadron.

[circletrack]

Not a big fan of the scrolling police blotter that they provide. I'd be more interested feature stories. Most of those police items run on the inside of the local section of the Sun, but without mugshots unless it's a major crime it seems. Usually next to the obituaries.

And that's Good enough for my daily reading.

[manaboutown]

When I told my kids I live off of Buena Vista they started calling it Del Buena Vista. They're pretty comfortable teasing me too. I'm chairman of a neighborhood group and that just gives them more to tease me about.

Well, I would rather live at at a town or neighborhood named "of the good view" (del buena vista) than at "of the view of the mouth" (del boca vista) or at "rat's mouth" (boca raton) although in reality the last is a very fancy place to live.

[tomwed]

Well, I would rather live at at a town or neighborhood named "of the good view" (del buena vista) than at "of the view of the mouth" (del boca vista) or at "rat's mouth" (boca raton) although in reality the last is a very fancy place to live.
It never occurred to any of us to translate it. thank-you

[Sandtrap328]

The on-line news is interesting to read. Not an embarassment to The Villages, in fact, the opposite. Imagine a city of 100,000 anywhere else and the on-line paper has to report on a wallet being stolen from a car in a town 10 miles away. Or that a grandfather punched a younger man who talked to his grand daughter in the pool. Or a line dancing lady got into a scuffle.

I am glad to see such minor items instead of gun point robberies at the ATM, muggings after the evening entertainment, or home invasions.

These minor items (no matter how poor the quality of "reporting") might be an actual draw for people to consider moving here.

[tomwed]

I should have said "sensationalized" instead of lurid in the case of this screenshot. A drunk young female getting loud and aggressive at a bar, or somebody's bamboo fence, hardly merit mug shot or photo with front-page and inside-page separate article, while the mention of the hospital's celebration of Cardiac Rehab patients or 'Veterans to be offered assistance'--good citizens--on the sides are largely overshadowed.

And regarding this,



.....no, I don't want to see what a 30-year-old female who got drunk and could be any Villager's daughter or granddaughter looks like.
What was today's front page story--the one at the top? Governor touts job growth in visit to The Villages
You know a website is quite a bit longer than the front page of a newspaper.

[graciegirl]

I should have said "sensationalized" instead of lurid in the case of this screenshot. A drunk young female getting loud and aggressive at a bar, or somebody's bamboo fence, hardly merit mug shot or photo with front-page and inside-page separate article, while the mention of the hospital's celebration of Cardiac Rehab patients or 'Veterans to be offered assistance'--good citizens--on the sides are largely overshadowed.

And regarding this,



.....no, I don't want to see what a 30-year-old female who got drunk and could be any Villager's daughter or granddaughter looks like.



I do.


And I agree with Tomwed. I don't see anything that would cause anyone to be embarrassed about The Villages surrounding the article. AND I am a protective fan of The Villages.

[rubicon]

I am New and before I discovered " the Happy Paper Alternative " I wondered how I would know what is really going on in the area. Now I know !

:D I'm not new and I have no idea what the other alternative paper (digital/print) is and why it is getting such negative reviews. As to the description of content well if it is true then that's life. Florida like California Arizona etc draw people from all soci-economic and demographic sampling

As to Johnny Mathias the concert was superb, the comedian a very welcome addition offering very clean timely and relevant material to the demographic viewing the show. Well done Johnny well done!

Personal Best Regards:

[jane032657]

I was writing a column for the online news and will be getting back to it soon. One of the owners is the former Managing Editor of The Daily Sun. She is savvy, smart, in the know of what is going on, goes to a myriad of VCDD and other government like meetings, events, and activities. She covers issues much more in depth than you will find anywhere else and she will give the full story, not just "The Villages" side of the story.

You will find so much more information about what is going on in The Villages and the details behind the issues. And yes you will find a lot of mug shots and details of crime, but this is not The National Enquirer folks, this is what is going on in our community and surrounding us, not made up. Whether you like it or not, these are stories that are in progress, and get the most hits of almost anything or they would not be published. You are reading these articles, or your friends and neighbors are, in the droves.

The Daily Sun serves a purpose for reading with coffee and seeing mostly ads for dinner specials, entertainment, face lifts, body replacements and pain control, Villages homes for sale and financial planners who want to manage your money. There are great stories of wonderful activities going on in The Villages along with statistical data of the community. Nothing wrong with reading both papers and gleaning the good, the bad and the ugly, because like it or not, we have it all here.

I have been involved in many things in The Villages, and I will tell you I no longer have rose colored glasses. I am grateful that the on line news shares many sides of what many see as Utopia, it is not. The Villages is a wonderful place and very special, but real people with real lives and behaviors live here, and when they steal, batter, abuse, drive drunk, and cause a raucous, well that is news too whether it is the neighbors, their kids or visitors. Like Mr Rogers said, It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood but know that scary things are there and talk about it.

[goodtimesintv]

I was writing a column for the online news and will be getting back to it soon. One of the owners is the former Managing Editor of The Daily Sun. She is savvy, smart, in the know of what is going on, goes to a myriad of VCDD and other government like meetings, events, and activities. She covers issues much more in depth than you will find anywhere else and she will give the full story, not just "The Villages" side of the story. You will find so much more information about what is going on in The Villages and the details behind the issues. And yes you will find a lot of mug shots and details of crime, but this is not The National Enquirer folks, this is what is going on in our community and surrounding us, not made up. Whether you like it or not, these are stories that are in progress, and get the most hits of almost anything or they would not be published. You are reading these articles, or your friends and neighbors are, in the droves. The Daily Sun serves a purpose for reading with coffee and seeing mostly ads for dinner specials, entertainment, face lifts, body replacements and pain control, Villages homes for sale and financial planners who want to manage your money. There are great stories of wonderful activities going on in The Villages along with statistical data of the community. Nothing wrong with reading both papers and gleaning the good, the bad and the ugly, because like it or not, we have it all here. I have been involved in many things in The Villages, and I will tell you I no longer have rose colored glasses. I am grateful that the on line news shares many sides of what many see as Utopia, it is not. The Villages is a wonderful place and very special, but real people with real lives and behaviors live here, and when they steal, batter, abuse, drive drunk, and cause a raucous, well that is news too whether it is the neighbors, their kids or visitors. Like Mr Rogers said, It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood but know that scary things are there and talk about it.

You don't get it. It's the LAYOUT.

It looks like a tabloid with all that crap smothering the good articles that truly are news well-written.

Overall, the online paper feeds right into the tabloid stereotyping of TV that Inside Edition fed, with its trashy 'Grannies Gone Wild' segment (as just one example).

And, paragraph breaks are a good thing!

:ohdear:

[justjim]

OP, you are entitled to your opinion and you make some good points. I see some others posting on this Thread have a different opinion and that is what makes for a diversity of thoughts and opinions. The no name on-line news is different from the Daily Sun but it's a bit harsh to call it a "rag" or an embrassment IMHO. I have noticed that certain events happening in TV are more frequently reported in the Daily Sun. Its called competition!

[Cedwards38]

I like to have access to all the news, good and bad.
I like to know what's really going on in my community.
I always remember that, regardless of what we might wish, The Villages, wonderful as it is, also has some residents and/or visitors who are immoral, criminal, stupid, or just make big mistakes. (Show me a community that doesn't.)
I like it that the online newsletter gives names and photos, because even if you are someone's grand daughter or a Villages resident in good standing, and you get drunk and rowdy, steal something, or otherwise violate community standards, there will be direct accountability.
I have choices, thank goodness, and at the bottom of the online newsletter is an "unsubscribe" if I so choose.

[graciegirl]

I was writing a column for the online news and will be getting back to it soon. One of the owners is the former Managing Editor of The Daily Sun. She is savvy, smart, in the know of what is going on, goes to a myriad of VCDD and other government like meetings, events, and activities. She covers issues much more in depth than you will find anywhere else and she will give the full story, not just "The Villages" side of the story.

You will find so much more information about what is going on in The Villages and the details behind the issues. And yes you will find a lot of mug shots and details of crime, but this is not The National Enquirer folks, this is what is going on in our community and surrounding us, not made up. Whether you like it or not, these are stories that are in progress, and get the most hits of almost anything or they would not be published. You are reading these articles, or your friends and neighbors are, in the droves.

The Daily Sun serves a purpose for reading with coffee and seeing mostly ads for dinner specials, entertainment, face lifts, body replacements and pain control, Villages homes for sale and financial planners who want to manage your money. There are great stories of wonderful activities going on in The Villages along with statistical data of the community. Nothing wrong with reading both papers and gleaning the good, the bad and the ugly, because like it or not, we have it all here.

I have been involved in many things in The Villages, and I will tell you I no longer have rose colored glasses. I am grateful that the on line news shares many sides of what many see as Utopia, it is not. The Villages is a wonderful place and very special, but real people with real lives and behaviors live here, and when they steal, batter, abuse, drive drunk, and cause a raucous, well that is news too whether it is the neighbors, their kids or visitors. Like Mr Rogers said, It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood but know that scary things are there and talk about it.



Well said.

[bagboy]

I read the online news daily, even checking back occasionally for any new items. I do think it's a good idea to be informed about what's going on here, good or bad. That said, it's beyond me as to why people are arrested and the online news deems it's necessary to publish their employers name. I've seen it time and time again and just don't agree with doing it.
Just yesterday, a Bob Evans employee accused of lewd conduct with a minor... before reading the story are we to think this happened at the restaurant? I've seen bars, restaurants, landscapers, etc. all have their name published because of an ill deed by a current or former employee. I think it's incredibly unfair to the businesses who have made a home here. I'll add though, if the bad guys were teachers, police, elected officials, etc. then it would be necessary to know who they're involved with professionally.

[tomwed]

I read the online news daily, even checking back occasionally for any new items. I do think it's a good idea to be informed about what's going on here, good or bad. That said, it's beyond me as to why people are arrested and the online news deems it's necessary to publish their employers name. I've seen it time and time again and just don't agree with doing it.
Just yesterday, a Bob Evans employee accused of lewd conduct with a minor... before reading the story are we to think this happened at the restaurant? I've seen bars, restaurants, landscapers, etc. all have their name published because of an ill deed by a current or former employee. I think it's incredibly unfair to the businesses who have made a home here. I'll add though, if the bad guys were teachers, police, elected officials, etc. then it would be necessary to know who they're involved with professionally.
Excellent point.

[Boomer]

v-i-l-l-a-g-e-s-n-e-w-s.com is the result of someone following that classic marketing advice, "Find a niche and fill it." -- (If you leave out all those hyphens except the one between the words villages and news, you should be able to find the online newspaper that has its name blocked by TOTV.)

Yes. I read it. I read pretty much anything I find about TV.

I do wish the editor would do a little housekeeping to make things easier to navigate........

The bar across the top of the page says Opinions where I think it should say Columns. As the paper has gone through its growing pains, some things seem to have been shuffled around. I like to read the column by Barry Evans and also the one by the guy who writes health stuff and the entertainment reviewer. Their columns are under "Opinions." Even though columns are often mostly opinions, I think these regular writers are columnists and should be indexed under columns.

And speaking of opinions, I do not find anything under Letters to the Editor except how to submit a letter, which I do not want to do. I just want to read what others have written.

Also, every now and then, it looks like the proofreading did not happen. -- And yes, I know I bastardize the heck outa punctuation and all kinds of other things, but that's different......

Oh well, Meta Minton has not contacted me and asked me how to run her paper. But that has not stopped me from taking the opportunity here to go on and on with unsolicited advice about how to make it more reader-friendly and/or better organized.

There is good reason for the success of Meta Minton's online news. She has found a niche and is filling it.

Read on. I intend to.

Boomer

[circletrack]

I read the online news daily, even checking back occasionally for any new items. I do think it's a good idea to be informed about what's going on here, good or bad. That said, it's beyond me as to why people are arrested and the online news deems it's necessary to publish their employers name. I've seen it time and time again and just don't agree with doing it.
Just yesterday, a Bob Evans employee accused of lewd conduct with a minor... before reading the story are we to think this happened at the restaurant? I've seen bars, restaurants, landscapers, etc. all have their name published because of an ill deed by a current or former employee. I think it's incredibly unfair to the businesses who have made a home here. I'll add though, if the bad guys were teachers, police, elected officials, etc. then it would be necessary to know who they're involved with professionally.

That's something that also doesn't sit well with me. Often the business name is featured prominently in the headline and the arrest has absolutely nothing to do with the employer. You'd think a practice like that would hurt their advertising program.

Now it's much different in the case of the Athens waiter or the Arby's employee a while back stealing money from the business. Those are directly related.

[queasy27]

If it's the LAYOUT that the OP finds so offensive, my mild suggestion is to install ad blocking software. (I personally don't begrudge the ads because they allow me to read for free.)

As others have said, programs exist to help cut and paste, but you can easily copy just the article text without any of the surrounding ads.

[outlaw]

I read the online news daily, even checking back occasionally for any new items. I do think it's a good idea to be informed about what's going on here, good or bad. That said, it's beyond me as to why people are arrested and the online news deems it's necessary to publish their employers name. I've seen it time and time again and just don't agree with doing it.
Just yesterday, a Bob Evans employee accused of lewd conduct with a minor... before reading the story are we to think this happened at the restaurant? I've seen bars, restaurants, landscapers, etc. all have their name published because of an ill deed by a current or former employee. I think it's incredibly unfair to the businesses who have made a home here. I'll add though, if the bad guys were teachers, police, elected officials, etc. then it would be necessary to know who they're involved with professionally.

Don't really understand your double standard, but I think the vast majority of people understand that a bad employee does not necessarily mean the business owner or business is bad. Likewise, a bad cop does not necessarily equate to a bad police organization. Carrying it further, I don't think a bad kid necessarily means the parents were/are bad parents. I know I don't.

[bagboy]

Don't really understand your double standard, but I think the vast majority of people understand that a bad employee does not necessarily mean the business owner or business is bad. Likewise, a bad cop does not necessarily equate to a bad police organization. Carrying it further, I don't think a bad kid necessarily means the parents were/are bad parents. I know I don't.

I don't think it's a double standard at all. If a junior high school teacher was having sex with one or more students you don't think the public and parents should be aware? If for nothing else than the safety of their children? I think that is vastly different than a random business employee doing the same thing. I think those that I mentioned before are in a position of public trust and should be held to a higher standard. If you think that is a double standard, then it is what it is. We all have different opinions.

[goodtimesintv]

That's something that also doesn't sit well with me. Often the business name is featured prominently in the headline and the arrest has absolutely nothing to do with the employer. You'd think a practice like that would hurt their advertising program.

Now it's much different in the case of the Athens waiter or the Arby's employee a while back stealing money from the business. Those are directly related.

Amen! They slander a business for what an employee did at home or in the parking lot at a bar late night after work. Imagine if every mug shot and article title listed the name of the bar where the drunk drinks every night and hangs out the most. The resident bar flies would have FITS that their favorite bar owner was being characterized by the slob who got arrested for burglary, rape or whatever.

[bagboy]

Amen! They slander a business for what an employee did at home or in the parking lot at a bar late night after work. Imagine if every mug shot and article title listed the name of the bar where the drunk drinks every night and hangs out the most. The resident bar flies would have FITS that their favorite bar owner was being characterized by the slob who got arrested for burglary, rape or whatever.

That's all I'm trying to say. It's totally irrelevant where someone works in most cases when they are arrested.

[RickeyD]

That's all I'm trying to say. It's totally irrelevant where someone works in most cases when they are arrested.

Not necessarily. An employees character is of utmost importance in their consideration for employment with a reputable business whether it be retail or a contractor. If I notice a pattern with a certain business I will come to my own conclusion. It also puts employers on notice to be vigilant in their hiring practices. I see nothing wrong with naming the employer. Full transparency in a free society allows people to make the right decisions.

[manaboutown]

Amen! They slander a business for what an employee did at home or in the parking lot at a bar late night after work. Imagine if every mug shot and article title listed the name of the bar where the drunk drinks every night and hangs out the most. The resident bar flies would have FITS that their favorite bar owner was being characterized by the slob who got arrested for burglary, rape or whatever.

Slander? I do not think so. Simply reporting where an alleged perpetrator or a criminal is employed does not constitute slander. Slander is a false and malicious ORAL statement about a person or business. The online news service provides as accurate as available printed information which is not malicious or false.

[goodtimesintv]

Not necessarily. An employees character is of utmost importance in their consideration for employment with a reputable business whether it be retail or a contractor. If I notice a pattern with a certain business I will come to my own conclusion. It also puts employers on notice to be vigilant in their hiring practices. I see nothing wrong with naming the employer. Full transparency in a free society allows people to make the right decisions.

Obviously you've never been an employer in the restaurant-bar or fast-food business, trying to hire only employees of utmost, sterling character.

Splash their name and picture across the front page of a newspaper because they got drunk and mouthy, or high, and see how that "publicity" (which some villagers on here salivate for) helps them be employable once they pay their fines and complete their sentences.

[outlaw]

I don't think it's a double standard at all. If a junior high school teacher was having sex with one or more students you don't think the public and parents should be aware? If for nothing else than the safety of their children? I think that is vastly different than a random business employee doing the same thing. I think those that I mentioned before are in a position of public trust and should be held to a higher standard. If you think that is a double standard, then it is what it is. We all have different opinions.

Then do you decide to pull your child out of that school district? Or do you realize that it was an individual and not the principal or the school itself that did anything wrong? Similar to a business, I think. So if an employee does something wrong that may not even be related to work, why would you think it would hurt the business or the owner?

[Topspinmo]

Amazing, go on FREE web site to get news then complain about. why not just not go there if you don't like the reporting? I want to know if some drugged out idiot, thief, drunk that drives, ECT...lives in my neighborhood.

[circletrack]

Not necessarily. An employees character is of utmost importance in their consideration for employment with a reputable business whether it be retail or a contractor. If I notice a pattern with a certain business I will come to my own conclusion. It also puts employers on notice to be vigilant in their hiring practices. I see nothing wrong with naming the employer. Full transparency in a free society allows people to make the right decisions.

Does it need to be in the headline though? I can see it maybe mentioned later on in the story, but front and center from the start for an incident that has nothing to do with the business?

[outlaw]

Hey. The business is getting free advertising. In today's world, a shooting at a place of business brings in gawkers and prospective customers. One might see the headline and say "there's a dunkin donuts in Brownsville?"

[Barefoot]

I like to have access to all the news, good and bad. I have choices, thank goodness, and at the bottom of the online newsletter is an "unsubscribe" if I so choose.

:agree:

[Bay Kid]

Bad news sells....

[looneycat]

I understand why we need another newspaper in TV (online), and not just "the happy paper".

But seriously.

Every single time I want to email an interesting article about the things that would attract friends/relatives to coming to experience TV and possibly rent/buy a place, the article I want to send is totally surrounded by the scum of the earth disgusting mug shots, poisonously partisan letters and columns, and sensationalizing NewsMax headlines. This is the case right now with a wonderful account of the Johnny Mathis concert. It it surrounded by utter trash.

The paper has all the trappings of a tabloid rag and I'm embarrassed to send the article links to friends around the country, because of the trash that would seem to characterize TV as something it is not. I've contacted the paper before about this, but they seem to like it this way.

so don't.

[looneycat]

I was writing a column for the online news and will be getting back to it soon. One of the owners is the former Managing Editor of The Daily Sun. She is savvy, smart, in the know of what is going on, goes to a myriad of VCDD and other government like meetings, events, and activities. She covers issues much more in depth than you will find anywhere else and she will give the full story, not just "The Villages" side of the story.

You will find so much more information about what is going on in The Villages and the details behind the issues. And yes you will find a lot of mug shots and details of crime, but this is not The National Enquirer folks, this is what is going on in our community and surrounding us, not made up. Whether you like it or not, these are stories that are in progress, and get the most hits of almost anything or they would not be published. You are reading these articles, or your friends and neighbors are, in the droves.

The Daily Sun serves a purpose for reading with coffee and seeing mostly ads for dinner specials, entertainment, face lifts, body replacements and pain control, Villages homes for sale and financial planners who want to manage your money. There are great stories of wonderful activities going on in The Villages along with statistical data of the community. Nothing wrong with reading both papers and gleaning the good, the bad and the ugly, because like it or not, we have it all here.

I have been involved in many things in The Villages, and I will tell you I no longer have rose colored glasses. I am grateful that the on line news shares many sides of what many see as Utopia, it is not. The Villages is a wonderful place and very special, but real people with real lives and behaviors live here, and when they steal, batter, abuse, drive drunk, and cause a raucous, well that is news too whether it is the neighbors, their kids or visitors. Like Mr Rogers said, It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood but know that scary things are there and talk about it.

really?? it comes off as an online enquirer. the format prominently displays constant negativity. mug shots are all over. as another poster states, i am embarassed to share any links to a paper that goes too far...making TV look like a zoo.

[jane032657]

really?? it comes off as an online enquirer. the format prominently displays constant negativity. mug shots are all over. as another poster states, i am embarassed to share any links to a paper that goes too far...making TV look like a zoo.

If you think it "displays constant negativity" you must be reading it everyday to make a judgement. So I guess you, like all the thousands of others, click on the mug shots to read the story, and are enjoying it or why would you keep reading? Maybe "enquiring" minds want to know...

[goodtimesintv]

If you think it "displays constant negativity" you must be reading it everyday to make a judgement. So I guess you, like all the thousands of others, click on the mug shots to read the story, and are enjoying it or why would you keep reading? Maybe "enquiring" minds want to know...

You still don't get it. It's not a matter of "clicking on the mug shots" to read more. It's the trash and snide titles that are front and center on the Home page!

I never said the paper shouldn't publish such content as police blotters and realities of villagers that are negative.

I said from the beginning that true "news" articles are smothered with all the crap around them, and the crap articles are front and center on the front page.

See example of the day that stereotypes and feeds the looney and gross caricatures of us online across the country, and even continents.

Headlines like this make our community look like a bunch of demented stooges.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/57161d1453043550-other-newspaper-embarrassment-screen-shot-2016-01-17-9-56-41-am-jpg

[looneycat]

If you think it "displays constant negativity" you must be reading it everyday to make a judgement. So I guess you, like all the thousands of others, click on the mug shots to read the story, and are enjoying it or why would you keep reading? Maybe "enquiring" minds want to know...

actually it is the reason I have not read it in months, note to your advertisers.

[outlaw]

You still don't get it. It's not a matter of "clicking on the mug shots" to read more. It's the trash and snide titles that are front and center on the Home page!

I never said the paper shouldn't publish such content as police blotters and realities of villagers that are negative.

I said from the beginning that true "news" articles are smothered with all the crap around them, and the crap articles are front and center on the front page.

See example of the day that stereotypes and feeds the looney and gross caricatures of us online across the country, and even continents. Headlines like this make our community look like a bunch of demented stooges.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/57161d1453043550-other-newspaper-embarrassment-screen-shot-2016-01-17-9-56-41-am-jpg

One person's crap is another person's news. Why do you care so much what other people think of where you live? If they think TV is dog dodo, who cares. If you like it, that's really all that matters.

[manaboutown]

You still don't get it. It's not a matter of "clicking on the mug shots" to read more. It's the trash and snide titles that are front and center on the Home page!

I never said the paper shouldn't publish such content as police blotters and realities of villagers that are negative.

I said from the beginning that true "news" articles are smothered with all the crap around them, and the crap articles are front and center on the front page.

See example of the day that stereotypes and feeds the looney and gross caricatures of us online across the country, and even continents.

Headlines like this make our community look like a bunch of demented stooges.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/57161d1453043550-other-newspaper-embarrassment-screen-shot-2016-01-17-9-56-41-am-jpg

Frankly, I found that photo and the story accurate and timely (assuming the lousy parking job was not posed). Particularly at this time of year when The Villages reaches its peak occupancy and parking areas become crowded people need to be courteous and especially careful to park properly. If they are unable to park a cart or car within adequately sized parking slots they may not be fit to drive.

[graciegirl]

You still don't get it. It's not a matter of "clicking on the mug shots" to read more. It's the trash and snide titles that are front and center on the Home page!

I never said the paper shouldn't publish such content as police blotters and realities of villagers that are negative.

I said from the beginning that true "news" articles are smothered with all the crap around them, and the crap articles are front and center on the front page.

See example of the day that stereotypes and feeds the looney and gross caricatures of us online across the country, and even continents.

Headlines like this make our community look like a bunch of demented stooges.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/57161d1453043550-other-newspaper-embarrassment-screen-shot-2016-01-17-9-56-41-am-jpg



Is that your golf cart? Now I understand.

[tomwed]

Is that your golf cart? Now I understand.
That's known as "cart" blocking.

[manaboutown]

Is that your golf cart? Now I understand.

Hard to tell for certain but the two-space using angled cart looks like it has a a faux Colorado license plate with "TATER" on it.

[buzzy]

really?? it comes off as an online enquirer. the format prominently displays constant negativity. mug shots are all over. as another poster states, i am embarassed to share any links to a paper that goes too far...making TV look like a zoo.

Yeah. Really, what hometown newspaper would have all the crime and arrests on the front page? I think the former owner of the Daily Sun is just trying to zing it to The Villages now.

[Barefoot]

Ms. Minton is an entrepreneur who was smart enough to understand that people want to know exactly what is going on in their community.
Yes, occasionally there is some racy information, but that is what is happening in and around The Villages.
If articles about parking golf carts and cars improperly makes us look like "a bunch of demented stooges", then it's good the pictures were published. Perhaps the "stooges" will park properly from now on.

I thought the online newspaper was by subscription only -- you have to sign up and ask to receive it.
The last time I checked, there was also an unsubscribe button for those who object to the content or format.

[cologal]

I was surprised by the number of adult children living here in TV and how much trouble they seem to get into!

[goodtimesintv]

Quote:
Originally Posted by looneycat
really?? it comes off as an online enquirer. the format prominently displays constant negativity. mug shots are all over. as another poster states, i am embarassed to share any links to a paper that goes too far...making TV look like a zoo.


Yeah. Really, what hometown newspaper would have all the crime and arrests on the front page? I think the former owner of the Daily Sun is just trying to zing it to The Villages now.

Bingo!

[tomwed]

What should be on the front page news of a hometown paper?

[looneycat]

I thought the online newspaper was by subscription only -- you have to sign up and ask to receive it.
The last time I checked, there was also an unsubscribe button for those who object to the content or format.


no, I never subscribed which made it easy to not go to the site anymore

[tomwed]

I don't see many felons on the site, mostly mistermeaners and missusmeaners.

[manaboutown]

To me the solution is simple. If I find I do not enjoy reading a particular publication I stop reading it.

[VillagerNut]

My suggestion is that you stay with the Happy paper and don't read the other online paper. If you are unhappy with the coverage of the concerts with the happy paper then contact them and let them know. I myself would rather see the reality here so I am aware of what is going on around me. Also the advertising supports the online paper being free. So if you want to put some good advertising in there that is happy then they can eliminate some of the national advertising that they have on their site.

[rubicon]

So far 82 posts about the other newspaper and not the first thread with this same byline over the years. Why it creates such a stir in this community is a mystery to me? My best guess is that it is a momentary distraction and perhaps a welcome one?

[Barefoot]

To me the solution is simple. If I find I do not enjoy reading a particular publication I stop reading it. Your suggestion makes perfect sense.
Some residents want to change the format of the online newspaper because they feel uncomfortable with the format.
Bottom line - there is obviously an audience for the online newspaper as is, and ads can be easily ignored.