Four years ago…

Four years ago, something new came to the “Bear City.”

House Ad on the back page of the first issue.

Four years ago, the dream of three young men came true.

Four years ago, the first issue of the Independent Register hit countertops, wire racks and crude news boxes across Craven County.

It was the result of a college camaraderie, several months of planning and an entire weekend with almost no sleep.

It was a small paper: Eight pages-two sections with color fronts. But in this case, size didn’t matter.

The three-man staff of Corey Friedman, Eric Voliva and William R. Toler took every picture, designed every page and wrote every article, with the exception of a short article from friend and frequent house guest Danelle Wylder,  a front page story by CCC student Charlotte Bird about a visit to the college from Frank Capra, Jr. and a pro-marijuana op-ed by New Bern High School senior Amanda DaSilva.

UPDATE: Bell visa granted

By William R. Toler

Last week on Coast to Coast A.M., host George Noory informed the audience that Art Bell’s wife Airyn was granted her permanent visa.

While broadcasting from Manila, Bell, creator of the overnight radio show, had told listeners of his plight and encouraged them to flood President Barack Obama with emails to try and fix the debacle. He had also written a letter to Sen. Harry Reid for assistance, before being informed that his bride’s visa application had been terminated.

Bell’s problem caught the attention of millions of listeners and the alternative press, including the Independent Register.

Congratulations Art and Airyn. I hope to hear your broadcast again from the high desert.