Publishing a weekly newspaper like the Signal Tribune brings about communication from all sorts of folks who ask all sorts of questions. We get phone calls asking us where we are located, if we endorse a particular advertiser, where the new Signal Hill police station is located, where to find their polling place, who “she” should call if she thinks someone is breaking into the “house next door,” where and when Trader Joe’s is moving, if we need a poet laureate, and if we can fit in a press release five minutes before going to print. Some just call to say “thank you” for all the hard work our staff does to get the paper out every Friday.
We also receive emails. Those emailing may ask about an article in a particular issue, inquire about our advertising rates or just ask for clarification about an upcoming community event.
Our readers, local politicians and advertisers stop by the office too. Sometimes they come by to pick up a few extra issues for friends, share a story with one of our staff members, ask my opinion about a city matter or bring a check to pay an advertising bill. Others drop in to give us a “tip” about a story they think we might want to, or should, cover.
No matter how our followers contact us, we love the interaction.
A couple of weeks ago I received a phone call from a man whose name I did not recognize. During the first few moments of our conversation, the gentleman stated that he called to say how much he appreciated what we do, how much he loves the paper, and more importantly, what we had done for him and his family. I wasn’t sure what he meant by the comment, but I continued to listen, hoping I would learn why he was so overly gracious with his compliments for me and my staff.
According to the caller (I will refer to him as “Michael” ), earlier this month he was casually reading the Signal Tribune when he saw an article of ours that changed his life. The article he was speaking of was actually a press release issued by the Long Beach Police Department and sported the headline “Murder suspect arrested after DNA match.” As Michael told me, he was compelled to read the entire article, because he said he just knew that it contained information that he had waited for and prayed to hear for more than 10 years. As he read the first sentence of the text, “After more than a decade, a Central California man will face a murder charge after he was connected to the 2002 crime through DNA, according to the Long Beach Police Department,” Michael said he let out a scream when he read the name of the murder victim. It was his brother’s name.
He and I both shed tears during Michael’s telling of the pain and suffering that he and his family had endured wondering if any information would ever come to light regarding his sibling’s murder. Now, more than a decade later, while leisurely reading the Signal Tribune, he learned of the arrest of the man who may have killed his brother.
As soon as Michael and I ended our conversation, I called my staff into an impromptu meeting. When we were all assembled, I told them about my phone visit with Michael. I wanted them all to know how much we impacted the life of one particular family just by printing a press release.
Earlier this week I called Michael to inquire about how he was feeling; his response was “It’s (the article) helping me move forward.” At the conclusion of our phone call, he said that he was so sad that his mother passed away before learning anything about who may have killed her son. I assured him that she knows. He quietly agreed with me, and we then said our goodbyes.
I am so thankful that we were able to help Michael. Our goal is to keep helping all of our readers for as long as the Signal Tribune continues to publish.
