WHEREAS, the Washington County News, a weekly newspaper that has provided exceptional news coverage to the residents of Washington County, celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2018; and

WHEREAS, originally called the Damascus Blade, the Washington County News was first published on June 17, 1948, by John Anderson, son of the celebrated writer Sherwood Anderson; it adopted its current name a year later; and

WHEREAS, the early issues of the Washington County News were just a few pages long; John Anderson handled the mechanical duties, while his wife, Eleanor, did the majority of the writing; and

WHEREAS, in addition to John Anderson, the Washington County News has had numerous owners over its 70-year history, including R. Guy Hankins and Alex T. Crockett, G. Thomas Nelms, and Lowry Bowman, who was also one of the paper's most legendary editorial writers; and

WHEREAS, the Washington County News was acquired by Media General, Inc., in 1998, then was sold to BH Media Group in 2012; and

WHEREAS, in addition to local news and investigative reports, the Washington County News places a special emphasis on coverage of agriculture and arts and leisure; and

WHEREAS, during its seven decades in print, the Washington County News has diligently chronicled the people, places, and events that shaped its local community, and its talented and hardworking reporters have maintained the highest standards of accuracy, honesty, and fairness; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Washington County News hereby be commended for providing 70 years of outstanding local journalism; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Washington County News as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the newspaper's dedication to its community and best wishes for continued success.