My name is Emily Ruth Cole, and I am the owner and publisher of the County-Courier. The first ever issue of the County-Courier was published during the week of December 9, 2024, marking the beginning of a vision that had been placed on my heart long before it became reality.
The County-Courier exists to serve the Bell County community through both print and digital media, providing local news, stories, and coverage that reflect the people, places, and values of this area. From the beginning, my desire has been to serve the community by providing coverage for the unseen — the stories, people, and efforts that often go unnoticed — while also showcasing those who work behind the scenes every day to make Bell County a better place for future generations.
This newspaper is more than a business — it is a calling. I believe God opened this door intentionally and in His perfect timing. The desire placed on my heart was to be a servant to the community, to highlight organizations that meet real needs, and to honor the individuals and groups working together to strengthen our area. I hold fast to Psalm 37:4, which has been a personal promise from God and a foundation for this work: “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” — Psalm 37:4 (KJV) My connection to the newspaper runs deep and is rooted in family. Some of my fondest memories are of my daddy sitting at the table, drinking his coffee, quietly reading the newspaper on his own, while my sister and I sat nearby flipping through the comics. I remember the smell of the ink, the feel of the pages, and even sitting with putty, lifting the ink from the paper. From comics and puzzles to movie listings and local stories, the newspaper was more than information — it was a shared rhythm of home.
In today’s world of social media and the internet, everything happens so quickly that it is often forgotten just as fast. A newspaper, however, offers a pause — a glimpse back to a time when things were simpler. It invites you to sit in silence, turn the pages, and truly take in the stories and faces of local people who want to make a difference in their community.
Because of this, print means something to me. A printed newspaper cannot be edited or erased. It becomes a record of history and a keepsake — something families can place in scrapbooks, frame on walls, or revisit years later. Preserving print journalism and keeping it alive is not just important to me; it is part of my purpose.
I also envisioned the County-Courier as more than a newspaper — I wanted it to feel like a family. When we come together for ballgames, graduations, ribbon cuttings, and local events, we strengthen one another and invest not only in the future of our own children, but in each other’s children as well. The County-Courier exists to reflect that togetherness and to remind us that community is built when people show up for one another.
At this stage in my life, everything finally made sense. The newspaper brought together everything I had ever been good at — writing, photography, creativity, organization, and community connection — into one place where I can serve my purpose, use my gifts and talents, and provide a meaningful service to the community I love.
I am deeply thankful to everyone who has supported the County-Courier. I move forward with faith, purpose, and heart — committed to telling the stories that matter and preserving them for generations to come.