Co-publisher/co-editor Paula Routly says the remaining advertisers on her paper's voice-personals system now have a choice: "Find an internet connection at the local library, or a real one at the nearest bar." The Burlington, Vt., weekly switched to online personals about a year ago but kept the old system "for those dial-up, off-the-grid or never-adopter readers." Nevertheless, it has seen the number of users dwindle "to a handful." One 36-year-old reader isn't happy about the switch. "I have an old-fashioned view of what it means to be close," Nick Zandstra says. Although he admits his resistance is "futile," he has no intention of getting a computer. "I can better observe the phenomenon by not being in the phenomenon," he says.

Continue ReadingSeven Days Moves All Personals Online, Leaving Some Luddites Behind

The Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists presented a total of seven First Amendment awards to Fort Worth Weekly and the Houston Press last week, the Houston Chronicle reports. The Weekly won a first-place award in the "Student" category for their collaborative effort with students on excessive use of Tasers by law enforcement. In addition, the Weekly won two second-place and one third-place awards, while the Houston Press won two third-place and one second-place award.

Continue ReadingAlt-Weeklies Take Home SPJ Awards in Texas

This year, Donald Trump tops the list of the 100 unsexiest men in the world compiled by the Boston Phoenix. As "unsexiest," Trump has been proclaimed the winner of the Golden Gilbert, the trophy named in honor of last year's winner Gilbert Gottfried. The Phoenix says Trump "was the clear winner because he is both an ugly person and an unattractive man -- the worst of both worlds!" As an "honorary member of the rodded gender, thanks to a conspicuous Adam's apple and complementary set of brass balls," Ann Coulter placed 80th, four behind the Phoenix's male editorial staff.

Continue Reading‘The Donald’ Unseats Gilbert Gottfried as ‘Unsexiest Man’

As president of Plaza Mortgage, Martin Basroon was convicted for "conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud" and "interstate transportation of property taken by fraud" seven years ago, according to Gawker and court documents. His conviction and sentence were affirmed on appeal in 2002. Basroon was released from a federal prison in March 2005, and started working for the Press later that year. "He had a legal problem a number of years ago and that problem is behind him," Press president Peter Polimino tells Gawker. "That legal problem has nothing to do with his position at our company."

Continue ReadingNew York Press’ CFO Was Convicted of Fraud in 2000