When I launched the North Fork Sun last spring, the goal was to build a reliable, truly independent source of local journalism for the North Fork — one that moves quickly, reports deeply and treats this community with the seriousness you deserve. Thanks to our readers, sources, supporters and advertisers, that vision is beginning to take real shape.
Since April, the Sun has grown steadily in readership, publishing pace and ambition. We have expanded daily coverage across the North Fork, focused on enterprise and accountability reporting, and leaned into the kind of narrative, people-centered storytelling that makes for valuable local journalism. We’re also upfront in our confidence that nearly everybody loves a colorful police blotter.
Just as important, we have begun building the newsroom infrastructure necessary to sustain this work for the long term. Today, a small, dedicated team of local editors, writers, contributors, designers and a director of advertising works behind the scenes to keep the North Fork Sun website sharp, accurate and visually engaging.
Our growing staff
Chief among our growing Sun family is Art Williams, our director of advertising — a title that does not begin to capture his role. The former Shelter Island town supervisor has been a driving force in the site’s growth and direction, more deeply involved in day-to-day operations and decision-making than anyone but myself. He has been a true partner in this endeavor and I am deeply grateful for his ongoing guidance, dedication and proactive approach to building a sustainable business.
Last week, we launched a dedicated Food & Lifestyle section, led by editor Jaymee Sire, whose immersive, deeply informed reporting brings new energy to our coverage of restaurants, farms, vineyards, aquaculture and the creative, artistic and wellness communities that make the North Fork such a vibrant place to live.
An Emmy Award-winning television host, writer and Northforker, Jaymee hosts the podcast Food Network Obsessed and appears as a judge on several Food Network shows, as well as judging local contests like last week’s North Fork Chili Cook-Off. She documents the North Fork food scene for the Sun alongside her partner and noted photographer, Justin Aharoni. Jaymee recently recruited two accomplished new food and wine writers, whom you’ll be hearing from in these pages soon. (We’re looking for more reporters.)
We have also introduced a new Real Estate section, in recognition of how central land use, housing, zoning and development are to life here. The section is overseen by editor Jake Williams, formerly a journalist at the Shelter Island Reporter and creator of the incisive new podcast series Out of Print: The Unmaking of American News. Under Jake’s enthusiastic leadership, coverage will go beyond sales listings to examine preservation battles, market pressures, record-setting transactions and the decisions and people who are shaping the future of the East End.
Another key member of the Sun team is veteran graphic designer Louise O’Regan Clark, of Shelter Island Graphics — whose crisp, elegantly composed designs continue to strengthen the Sun’s visual identity. We’re also proud to be working with award-winning, Greenport-based photojournalist Jeremy Garretson, whose work consistently elevates our coverage with precision, empathy and a deep sense of place. Jeremy was the earliest contributor to the news site.
Meanwhile, we’ve just brought on board Cornell Daily Sun managing editor Dorothy France-Miller to handle social media and more, and we’ll be joined this summer by the Sun’s first ever intern, Anna Gambone, a Providence College junior who interned last summer in Greenport Village Hall and had the admirable moxie to just cold call me and ask for a job. We can’t wait to see what these two talented young voices will bring to the conversation this year.
None of this growth happens without the trust and support of our readers. Every tip shared, every story read and every post forwarded helps strengthen independent local journalism at a moment when it is needed more than ever.
These are the first few steps on a long journey. But the Sun is growing stronger — carefully, thoughtfully and with deep respect for everyone in this community. Thanks for being part of our unfolding story.
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— Chris Francescani
Founder and Publisher, North Fork Sun