Publisher and Editor reflect on the Houston Home Journal turning 155

PERRY — On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the Houston Home Journal will turn the ripe old age of 155. Founded in 1870, the Journal continues to serve the community of Houston County by bringing local news to you. 

“There is no greater documentation of history and there has been no greater witness to history than the people and staff of the Houston Home Journal and, of course, being members of the community and being part of history themselves,” Publisher Don Moncrief said. 

Managing Editor Brieanna Smith said she is really proud to be a part of the HHJ. 

“It’s an honor to be part of a place with such a long history and strong legacy,” she said. 

Over the years, the HHJ has gone through its ups and downs. Moncrief said that when the Internet came along, the Journal had to adapt and keep up with the times. Moncrief is proud to be in the field of print newspapers and journalism itself. 

“I’m proud to be a part of journalism, telling stories, being in the community and being able to tell those stories. I consider it an honor. There are so many honorable careers and this is one of them,” he said. 

Smith added that the HHJ being around for so long speaks volumes about how many people trust the news organization. 

“I don’t think that kind of longevity happens by accident,” she said. “It comes from serving and committing to the community, year after year.”

Moncrief also described the HHJ as a little different from what others may think, as the mainstream media you see on the Internet. 

“I’m not talking about everybody, but they won’t hold themselves accountable, they don’t care if it’s the truth and that’s not who we are,” he said. “We hold ourselves accountable for what we know. We’re sincere, we want to tell the truth and want to tell both sides of the story.” 

The HHJ is all about being local. Moncrief said that if there were a current event, the HHJ would localize it. Before his work here at the Journal began, Moncrief worked for the Daily Sun. During that time, he realized covering local events is the key to a successful newspaper. 

“The feedback was incredible when you start giving people the local [news], and so that’s where our niche is,” he said. “We’re able to provide local coverage and that’s something that we can give that makes us stand out.”

Smith believes the HHJ has done a great job in keeping that small-town newspaper feel a reality. 

“By focusing on Houston County, we stay close to our readers and the issues they care about. Lately, using technology and social media has helped us reach younger readers who want to stay informed,” she said. 

Moncrief said the HHJ has changed and not changed at the same time due to the people behind it who share the same goal, and the ones who have the same heart and care for journalism and local news. 

“If you go down to the heart of it, it’s the people who have been consistent who have the same heart, spirit and mindset towards journalism, news, sports and so forth,” he said. 

To our readers and subscribers, Moncrief said it is an honor to serve them by providing local news to the community. However, he reassured those who may doubt the shelf-life of newspapers. 

“I would say ya’ll need to stop saying newspapers are dead or going to die because we’re not,” he said. “The news reporting, advertising and the newspapers we print as a whole, testifies to say we are still alive and well. We’ve had to change but really we’re thriving, and even if you look at the statistics, we are actually on the uptick.” 

Smith said the Journal would not be here without their support. 

“Your trust and loyalty mean a lot to us, and they remind us why we’re here: to serve this community with integrity, care, and dedication,” she said. “To our new subscribers, welcome. With so much information out there, choosing a local news source really matters, and we appreciate it. We’re excited to keep growing, changing, and bringing you coverage that reflects our community.”

Looking forward to next year, Moncrief expects growth by adding a few more newspapers to the print shop. He also expects 2026 to be even better because the news staff is on the younger side. 

“[Our news staff] has an advantage because [they] represent the future of our readership,” he said. “Because of their age, wisdom and experience, they are able to cast a vision better and greater than I will be able to do.” 

Smith said this upcoming year will be exciting after the Journal was acquired by the Georgia Trust for Local News. 

“[GTLN] is committed to trying new things and finding better ways to deliver the local news that matters. I expect we’ll be using new ideas to grow our digital presence and help more people stay connected to Houston County,” she said. 

Smith is also excited about starting a podcast to reach our readers on a broader scale. 

“Overall, I see the next year as a chance to grow, adapt, and keep serving our readers with the same care, integrity, and dedication that have kept us going for so long,” she said.