News, more specifically newspapers, have been a staple of daily life in towns across the country for over a hundred years. Hayward itself had two different newspapers, the Daily Review and the Hayward Journal, which helped keep residents up-to-date on what was going on in the city. These information sources were a pillar of city life around which people could gather and have a shared sense of place.
Functionally speaking, the Hayward Daily Review was the last newspaper that this city of 160,000 people ever had. And it stopped publication in 2016 after being swallowed up by the Bay Area News Group and mushed into the East Bay Times. Because of that, there has been almost no dedicated news coverage of Hayward for over 6 years — even longer depending on how you feel about their partnership with the Oakland Tribune at the end.
But Hayward absolutely deserves local news. I refuse to believe that nothing happens here because I see things happening every day that people should care about: businesses closing due to negligent landlords, fights for reparations for the former residents of Russell City, attacks on our LGBTQ+ students at Hayward Unified.
On top of that, the City Council is always approving legislation and commenting on things, but how many folks really have a good idea of what’s going on? We can’t expect everyone to parse an agenda with 20 items on it or to sit through a 4 hour meeting at 7pm on a Tuesday night. Who has the time for that in this day and age? Goodness knows I don’t (the recordings are a huge help).
So people continue on as they always have, staying uninformed and unengaged. We get the same councilmembers elevated to power by the Chamber of Commerce and a few moderately influential people and we wonder why things don’t go the way we want. That’s a way to live, I guess, but I think we deserve better.
As you’ve probably guessed by now, I’m not a journalist. I don’t have a background in news and I don’t even write for a living (who can?). But what I do have is a background in this city. I’ve been living in the area for over 25 years; attended CSU Hayward, Hayward High, Brete Harte; shop at the Lucky downtown; drive that God forsaken Loop every day. I really care about this city and I think the people living in it deserve to know what’s going on.
These days, putting down roots somewhere can be a radical act and really knowing a place is the first step to putting down roots. So if you want to do something kind of radical, stay informed about where you live and join me here. I’ll do the best I can to keep you in the know, but I can’t do it alone.
If you ever have any tips or something you think should be covered, hit me up. I’m only one person, but I can guarantee I’ll hear you out.
See you around town,
Collin Thormoto