On April 27, 2025, I walked into a small corner office at the end of Maine Street. Little did I know that those few steps would not only change the course of my career, but would also teach me a lesson far greater than anything I could have imagined.
A while back, while working at Great Basin Trading Co. on Maine Street, I was awaiting customers and sorting merchandise when a young boy walked in looking for that week's newspaper. As I helped him find his way to the newspaper rack, he anxiously searched through the different editions until he found the one he was looking for.
He rapidly opened the paper and found an article about himself.
I watched as his eyes widened with excitement. He was proud. He was eager. For a moment, that newspaper was more than just ink on paper. It was a reflection of his accomplishments and a reminder that his community saw him.
Standing there, watching that young boy experience the joy of seeing himself represented in his local newspaper, I realized something I will never forget.
What we do is not only a public service to this community, but a responsibility that strengthens the very foundation of a free society. It is a responsibility built upon informing, recognizing, and preserving the stories of the people who make history.
And I hope throughout my career, I can continue to honor that responsibility.
Of course, no success story is created alone. Behind every accomplishment is a community of people who offer guidance, encouragement, and support along the way.
So, to Leanna Lehman, Lori Kaiser, Kasey Lattin, Denice Pinder, Cheryl Venturacci, and Carol Lloyd, thank you.
Thank you for listening when I needed guidance, for offering wisdom instead of simply giving answers, and for reminding me that even the most difficult challenges become manageable when approached with patience and perspective.
Thank you for treating me not just as an intern, but as someone worthy of your trust. Every task you handed me, every conversation you took the time to have, and every piece of advice you shared became another lesson I will carry long after I leave this newsroom.
More than anything, thank you for showing me that character will always outlast talent, and that becoming a good journalist begins with becoming a good person.
And to Rachel Dahl, thank you for taking a chance on a young student who was searching for an opportunity and a new commitment.
Thank you for teaching me how to become a better writer, a better professional, and someone who approaches every responsibility with dignity and humility. Thank you for teaching me how to earn community trust, how to ask better questions, and how to understand the importance of relationships in this profession.
And, nonetheless, thank you for teaching me how to play the game.
Not the game of winning or losing, but the game of showing up, listening carefully, treating people fairly, and understanding that journalism is built on trust.
Rachel, your dedication to this community is something I hope to emulate throughout my career. You have shown me that a journalist's greatest accomplishment is not measured by the number of stories they write, but by the trust they earn from the people they serve.
To the business owners, Judge Stockard, Court Services, Mayor Tedford, the Fallon City Council, and every community leader who trusted me with your stories, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to share the information you believed your community deserved to know.
Whether it was a new business opening its doors, a court proceeding, or a decision made at City Hall, you trusted me with the responsibility of keeping Fallon informed. That trust is something I will always value.
So as I pack my bags and reminisce about the amazing opportunities that I have been given, The Fallon Post will always be right here keeping you posted…
Riggin Stonebarger
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