Corinne Colbert (she/her) worked for newspapers in Wheeling, WV and Martins Ferry, Marietta and Marysville, Ohio, before leaving journalism to work in nonprofit and freelance communications. She returned to the newsroom in June 2021 as editor of the Athens News but was suddenly fired in February 2022 for warning readers about deceptive advertising in the publication. Her tweets about her firing went viral and inspired a crowdfunding campaign that earned more than $18,000 to launch an independent nonprofit newsroom in Athens County. The Athens County Independent published its first story in August 2022. In 2023, the Independent was named a finalist in the Future of News Division of the Next Challenge and selected for Indiegraf's News Startup Fund.

Focus Areas

  • News

Education
1997
Ohio University
Journalism
8 Articles
Featured

New Ohio House district maps split Athens County – Athens County Independent

The new maps, adopted in late September, shift parts of Athens Township (including the city of Athens) and all of Canaan, Bern and Rome townships to District 95, which is represented by Don Jones (R-Freeport).
2023 October 12
athensindependent.com
10 months ago
athensindependent.com

New Ohio House district maps split Athens County – Athens County Independent

The new maps, adopted in late September, shift parts of Athens Township (including the city of Athens) and all of Can...

Read Full Article
11 months ago
athensindependent.com

Few local government races on November ballot are contested – Athens County Independent

Several seats had no candidates file; voters will decide 15 local issues.

Read Full Article
11 months ago
athensindependent.com

Wanted for Ukraine: men’s sneakers and dog food

Little Wing Relief is sending its third 40-foot shipping container next week, filled with supplies for both soldiers ...

Read Full Article
12 months ago
athensindependent.com

Residents, county clean up after tornado – Athens County Independent

It’s not unusual to find broken branches and the occasional fallen tree in the yard after a storm. But some Athens Co...

Read Full Article
12 months ago
athensindependent.com

County fairs celebrate our agricultural heritage – Athens County Independent

The most enduring tradition of any county fair is the celebration of agriculture: homemade baked goods, home-canned p...

Read Full Article
about 1 year ago
athensindependent.com

Our first responsibility — and yours — is to the truth

Pointing out mis/disinformation is not telling you how we think you should vote. We are simply doing our due diligenc...

Read Full Article
about 1 year ago
athensindependent.com

Neighborliness makes Athens County special – Athens County Independent

Athens County residents are always ready to help folks in need, whether close to home or far away.

Read Full Article
about 1 year ago
athensindependent.com

Good news and bad news – Athens County Independent

A benefit of being a 501(c)3 nonprofit is access to deeply discounted, even free software. That’s good news … but it’...

Read Full Article