About Us
Learn more about The Buzz.
What Is The Buzz?
The Buzz is a locally owned newspaper published bi-weekly (every other week), MADE WITH 100% LOCAL NEWS and made available free of charge both in print and online through the digital edition.
Typically 16-32 pages, The Buzz newspaper features positive Muskingum County news, local high school and college sports, nearby news, events, comics, and the popular Buzzles puzzle page. Special sections for area high school grads, the county fair, and the holidays are published annually.
The Journey
Written by Lynette Dotson, Owner/Editor
When my husband, Matthew, and I moved our family and design business from Coshocton to Dresden in 2014, I had no idea that we would eventually start a newspaper, and if someone had told me that was the case, I would not have believed them. I had my hands full helping my then first-grader and kindergartener get the hang of online learning through their new school; my title besides mom was “learning coach”. I was also working full-time, running Dotson Design Studio, a graphic and web design business that I started with my husband’s help in 2009. I started the business as a way to contribute financially while still being home for our two kids. Before Dotson Design Studio, I worked as a graphic designer for a weekly newspaper, building ads and paginating special sections and speciality magazine-style publications, so switching to designing other marketing materials was an easy adjustment.
After the kids switched from online learning to going to the local school, I had more time to focus on my work. The only thing was that most of my customers were from out of town, and I felt as if I needed work that served more of a purpose locally, something more community-focused. It was around this time that the prior long-standing Dresden newspaper went out of business. I heard rumblings of disappointment from the community that they would no longer have a local newspaper. With my background working on publications, it made sense to me to start a newspaper, but make it completely positive and free. I went to Matthew with my ideas. He was not sure at first, but he is always supportive and has been throughout this journey.
The first issue of the Dresden Buzz was published on July 6, 2018, covering news in the Tri-Valley area. We printed 800-1,000 papers in-house, hand-folding each one with the help of our kids (ages 10 and 9). At the time, we delivered to just over 30 locations in the northern part of Muskingum County.
Just in time for the 5th anniversary of The Buzz (July 2023), the decision was made to begin serving all of Muskingum County, a change inspired by several requests for more local news coverage in other parts of our county. With the change came a huge increase in copies printed and distribution locations. We began delivering to over 50 locations and increased our print run to 2,000 tabloid-sized newsprint papers.
Today, 4,000 copies of The Buzz are printed and distributed to 100 locations every other week. Recently, we made the switch to a broadsheet newspaper size, adding about 30% more space per page. Additionally, we made the decision to embrace our nickname, The Buzz, changing our logo (signage and newspaper racks/outdoor distribution boxes are awaiting the new logo).
The journey is ongoing; we are still growing, improving, and working hard to bring a quality, free, and local newspaper to readers every other week.
The Buzz Team
Lynette Dotson
Owner/Editor
Matthew Dotson
Sports Editor
