Two years. It seems like two days or a life time. The concept of hbtv.us was to provide a continuing 24/7/365 news and information source for and about Haleyville. The web site is an outgrowth of HBTV 5 on Charter cable that was started in 1990. It was a logical growth or expansion based on research that showed almost everyone had access to an online computer, at least once a day. With our aging population, the funeral announcements are at the top of the list in hits. Free classifieds, birthdays, the daily planner and of course the news are also top draws. We have tried to keep the stories and information short and to the point without a lot of filler quotes.
Haleyville has WJBB AM-FM that has been in the news business since the late 40's. Our hometown newspaper, the Northwest Alabamian has done a wonderful job for much longer than that. I still have a fondness in my baby boomer heart for the printed word. I am proud we have both in such a small town.
Electronic journalism allows several modern advantages. It is virtually instantaneous when it comes to updating and reporting and can be viewed around the world. Even better, if one misses a story or wants to see it again, the archives hold the information and pictures. Most of the pictures can be easily downloaded and saved with a right click of a mouse. Occasionally, video on demand is offered on various subjects. This media allows us to make constant corrections instead of retractions.
Our staff is small. Deb Hill is the web master and does a great job with the layout and graphics, especially considering she has to work with me. I do the best I can to get the news you see and read daily. The help we receive from you is immeasurable. Thank you for your calls and emails.
Some of our news stories are not what we really like to report such as murders, child molesters drug busts, etc. Good news is sometimes hard to find, but look at this week's stories about a man saved from a house fire and rescue squads that recovered four stranded boats in thirty minutes.
Please let our advertisers know you are checking hbtv.us daily. It is their support that makes it possible for us to do what we do. Secondly, please share a link to the sight with anyone who has any connection with Haleyville. Your hits are like pats on the back. We are getting more hits everyday than Elvis and the Beetles ever had.
Thanks, and Happy Birthday to HBTV.US, it is about US. |
