Founded in 1904 by Hierome L. Opie, The News Leader (originally called The Evening Leader) came into being to provide a strong, independent voice for the Shenandoah Valley. The idea sparked when Opie, a young and ambitious Virginian, decided to launch his own newspaper to compete with the existing Daily News. He wanted to create a paper that was more responsive to the community's needs. Eventually, his paper became so successful that he bought out his competition and merged them, creating the publication that exists today. Currently, the newspaper is owned by Gannett, the large media company that operates the USA TODAY Network. Today, The News Leader is run by a team of local journalists and editors and is mainly focused on high school sports, local government politics, crime, and community events in the Shenandoah Valley. They are based in Staunton, Virginia, and serve as the primary news source for Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County. One interesting fact: A unique fact about The News Leader is the incredible background of its founder, Major Hierome L. Opie. He wasn't just a newspaperman; he was a highly decorated war hero in World War I. During the war, he was shot multiple times and lost a finger in combat, yet he survived to return home and run the newspaper for decades, applying the same toughness he learned in the military to the journalism business.