Meet the Publishers!
Written in the Stars
For two local journalists, buying the Hollywood Star News was a dream come true
Todd Milbourn and Lisa Heyamoto always knew they wanted to run a local news publication someday. They just didn’t expect their opportunity would be delivered to their literal doorstep. There it was on Page 5 of the November edition of the Hollywood Star News: Longtime owner Mary DeHart was selling, and she wanted the newspaper to go to someone who would love it as much as she did.
Of course Todd and Lisa already loved the Star News. Who didn’t? It showed up at their house on the first of each month, when they would eagerly pore over the stories and ads. Each word and photo presented an opportunity to learn more about their neighbors, local businesses and community. It made them feel part of something. It made them feel connected.
So when they had the chance to steward this community gem into its next chapter, they jumped at the chance.
“It feels like we’re embarking on the adventure of a lifetime,” Todd said. “There’s truly nothing I’d rather be doing than meeting neighbors, exploring new businesses, discovering local history and discussing what we want for our families and community.”
Todd and Lisa have devoted their lives to journalism, teaching and building community. They started their careers in local news; Lisa at The Seattle Times and Todd at The Modesto Bee. They met as reporters at The Sacramento Bee when they were assigned to write a front-page story together. They knew right away that their story wouldn’t end there.
They moved to Prague, Czech Republic to teach and do journalism. They traveled the world, getting engaged in Siberia and married at Multnomah Falls. They became journalism instructors at the University of Oregon, where they educated literally thousands of journalism students, many of whose names you will find in the local publications you know and love. They had two wonderful daughters, Eleanor and Vivian, who have been raised over dinner conversations about community service, the mission of local news and the proper use of the Oxford comma.
Now, their work continues from their home in Rose City Park, with their puppy Mochi at their feet and their elderly cat Lemon snoozing in the window. Todd works at a national business news publication and is a board member of the Rose City Park Neighborhood Association, while Lisa works at a nonprofit that supports local news organizations and volunteers at the girls’ schools. They plan to channel their experience and passion into the pages of the Star News.
So what are their plans for the publication? The couple subscribe to the “if it ain’t broke” school of thought, and are committed to maintaining the friendly, relevant and people-centered approach that have long been hallmarks of the Star News. They are excited to come up with new ways to tell the story of this community, and to create opportunities for people to support the publication while connecting with each other.
Todd and Lisa feel like everything in their past has prepared them for this future. And if they ever wonder how it all came to pass? They’ll know what they reached for, what aligned and what they wished upon to make their dream a reality.
We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out to us at todd@star-news.info or lisa@star-news.info with questions, ideas or just to say hello!
For two local journalists, buying the Hollywood Star News was a dream come true
Todd Milbourn and Lisa Heyamoto always knew they wanted to run a local news publication someday. They just didn’t expect their opportunity would be delivered to their literal doorstep. There it was on Page 5 of the November edition of the Hollywood Star News: Longtime owner Mary DeHart was selling, and she wanted the newspaper to go to someone who would love it as much as she did.
Of course Todd and Lisa already loved the Star News. Who didn’t? It showed up at their house on the first of each month, when they would eagerly pore over the stories and ads. Each word and photo presented an opportunity to learn more about their neighbors, local businesses and community. It made them feel part of something. It made them feel connected.
So when they had the chance to steward this community gem into its next chapter, they jumped at the chance.
“It feels like we’re embarking on the adventure of a lifetime,” Todd said. “There’s truly nothing I’d rather be doing than meeting neighbors, exploring new businesses, discovering local history and discussing what we want for our families and community.”
Todd and Lisa have devoted their lives to journalism, teaching and building community. They started their careers in local news; Lisa at The Seattle Times and Todd at The Modesto Bee. They met as reporters at The Sacramento Bee when they were assigned to write a front-page story together. They knew right away that their story wouldn’t end there.
They moved to Prague, Czech Republic to teach and do journalism. They traveled the world, getting engaged in Siberia and married at Multnomah Falls. They became journalism instructors at the University of Oregon, where they educated literally thousands of journalism students, many of whose names you will find in the local publications you know and love. They had two wonderful daughters, Eleanor and Vivian, who have been raised over dinner conversations about community service, the mission of local news and the proper use of the Oxford comma.
Now, their work continues from their home in Rose City Park, with their puppy Mochi at their feet and their elderly cat Lemon snoozing in the window. Todd works at a national business news publication and is a board member of the Rose City Park Neighborhood Association, while Lisa works at a nonprofit that supports local news organizations and volunteers at the girls’ schools. They plan to channel their experience and passion into the pages of the Star News.
So what are their plans for the publication? The couple subscribe to the “if it ain’t broke” school of thought, and are committed to maintaining the friendly, relevant and people-centered approach that have long been hallmarks of the Star News. They are excited to come up with new ways to tell the story of this community, and to create opportunities for people to support the publication while connecting with each other.
Todd and Lisa feel like everything in their past has prepared them for this future. And if they ever wonder how it all came to pass? They’ll know what they reached for, what aligned and what they wished upon to make their dream a reality.
We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out to us at todd@star-news.info or lisa@star-news.info with questions, ideas or just to say hello!
