It’s the start of 2025 and that means resolutions, reflections and photo recaps are in full swing. I’ve never been a huge resolutions gal, but I am big on reflecting. And man, has 2024 been a crazy year – in a good way – both for me and our paper.
You see, this January not only marks a key date in The Coronado News’ young life so far (a two-year birthday), but it also marks a year since I started a new position as editor-in-chief.
I could honestly compile a whole portfolio-worth of stories about moments that have personally stretched me in this past year. In an effort not to bore you all with inner thoughts and long anecdotes about how our paper has grown, I won’t dive into those. But I will say that it has been a year of immense growth, and my goal — and the paper’s goal — has always remained the same: to provide fair and accurate reporting of our island community.
A big thank you to our small but mighty team: to Paul Huntsman for starting The Coronado News, and Craig Harris for building it from scratch — to both of them for trusting me to take over their vision. Thank you to Dennis Wagner, for your guidance, wisdom, and for pushing all of us to keep asking the hard questions. I’m incredibly grateful for all of our reporters who work tirelessly each week to produce balanced reporting.
And thank you to the community for trusting us to tell your stories. It’s been a good year. From the January flooding to the Fourth of July, elections, investigative work on the Tijuana sewage crisis, and everything in between, you are the heartbeat of this town.
I can’t wait to see what this next year brings!
– Sofie Fransen
Now, a note from our reporters, the ones who do the real heavy lifting, the day-in, day-out work to bring this paper to life:
Madeline Yang
Another year has gone by. I’m quite a sentimental and nostalgic person so this actually does mean a lot to me, that I’ve spent a whole ‘nother year with The Coronado News. This newspaper and the people behind it have truly become special to me. And I’ve learned a handful of lessons. I’ll share one.
Last year, we dealt a lot with coverage of the Tijuana sewage crisis – and that was my introduction into news on the island. I made my first documentary, won a few awards with our team and learned a lot about investigative journalism.
This year, we had election season – and my first election coverage. It was intimidating, to say the least. I wanted to do the candidates’ justice. I wanted to give the news to the community fairly. I wanted to accurately tell the stories of Coronado.
There is, unfortunately, a stigma around the news or the media that we are biased or that we have an agenda. I can promise you, as one of two full-time reporters at The Coronado News, that this is not the case.
I have no skin in the game. We are taught to not put our own opinions in the story. Only to relay the information we have on both sides as best as we can. And with every single story, I believe I’ve done that. I don’t have any reason to side with one or the other, and if I do, my opinion doesn’t matter – to you, the reader, or to the story. I just want to tell the story in the most accurate way possible.
I say all of this because covering election season has truly taught me the importance of accurate, fair and unbiased reporting. Of course I knew that before and strived to accomplish that in the past, but being more involved in the community now in my second year, I see how much you all care about where you live and the passion that builds behind every news story that is published.
I want to take care of that and let you all know that I have absolutely no agenda other than to get better as a reporter.
I’m proud of the work I’ve accomplished this year, and I’m proud that I’m continuing to grow as a journalist. I know I have a lot more left to learn and I’m excited for that and welcome it.
Coronado has been such a significant place for me to do just that. For that, I have a sincere thank you to all who read our stories and give feedback on my work.
To everyone that I’ve texted, called and emailed insistently, I apologize (he-he) but also offer thanks for always replying and helping me.
To all the public affairs officers, media coordinators and communications officers, thank you for reaching out with events and story ideas (you guys are what helps me keep my job) and for answering all my questions.
I’ve had an amazing year. And I wouldn’t have been able to do it – like, actually I probably couldn’t – without my editing team, Sofie and Dennis, and with all of you, the readers who give our paper an audience.
Let’s see what happens next year!
Julieta Soto
Throughout 2024, I met so many Coronado community members who lead lives that ignite change at the same time as they inspire others.
I want to extend a strong and sincere thank you to all who live and frequent the island — for the personal stories shared with me as a reporter, and for your continuous interest in our coverage.
I remain in awe of everything and everyone who makes this city unique.
Leaders across local organizations remind me time and time again that the city has dutiful advocates. From women like Alexia Palacios-Peters who leads as president of Coronado public schools for a second year, to the youth from Coronado High School embarking on lifelong advocacy for issues they are passionate about — like Daniel Vinegrad who leads the Stop the Sewage Club, the Emerald Keepers interns like Hannah Cohen and Elleaire Lyons whose golf tournaments proceeds fund additional research on hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP).
Similarly inspiring are community members whose presence reflects the broad scope of what the city has to offer residents and visitors, elevating Coronado to new recognition. Like Sanjiv Hulugalle, managing director at Hotel del Coronado, whose worldwide experiences now inspire his vision of community throughout the historic hotel. Or USA Triathlon All-American fifth-grade athlete Kailani Miante, track record setter Lauren Gilhooly and lacrosse stars Sydney and Breck Dunn, among the many athletes in Coronado whose love for their sport is admirable to witness.
I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the city partners with organizations like Coronado Fourth of July and the Coronado Chamber of Commerce to bring forth events like the 75th Coronado Fourth of July Parade or the 49th annual Coronado Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting. Events like these serve as a reminder of the cherished traditions the city successfully preserves for generations.
I must also recognize the city-wide approach to veterans, active military and their families. I had the honor and privilege to hear directly from World War II veteran Walter Travis, who survived consecutive years of service, and saw the impact of recognizing heroes at events like honor tours and the annual “Take a Veteran to School Day” at Coronado Middle School.
Thank you, Coronado, for showing me the beauty of a town that cares and pays homage to those embedded in its history and legacy, as commemorated in this year’s Dia de los muertos ofrenda at the Coronado Public Library.
I look forward to capturing the community’s good news stories as they unfold in the year ahead.
My very best wishes for 2025, may this year bring you abundant peace and happiness. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ¡Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo!
Katie Morris
It has been so special reporting on and connecting with the Coronado community this year.
From school board meetings and the Coronado Island Film Festival to community members’ book releases and the Underway Recovery Test 11 press conference, the stories have revealed a town deeply committed to preserving its legacy while building a better future.
There’s a unique beauty in telling the stories of a place where history feels alive —– in the names etched on its landmarks, the traditions upheld in its schools and the memories shared at community events.
Equally inspiring is Coronado’s forward momentum, as its residents work wholeheartedly to ensure the city thrives for generations to come.
One of my favorite experiences this year was sitting with Ron, Lloyd Jr. and Janice Dong in their home on C Avenue, and learning how their family’s journey —- beginning with facing housing discrimination in 1939 and ending with donating $5 million to San Diego State University’s Black Resource Center —- is a testament to resilience and generosity.
We all carry something precious — whether it’s a passion for civic education, a deep love for lawn bowling, a commitment to supporting local artists, a drive to advance youth education or the dedication that goes into running a French bistro.
Every person I’ve met this year has left me with a deeper understanding of the heart of Coronado — its resilience, creativity and spirit.
And as I continue to report on this town, I look forward to hearing more of these stories, for they are the heartbeat of this place and its people.
