Journalist from the Saco Bay News Visits Journalism Classroom
Her Advice and Knowledge
By Sarah Bourdeau
Biddeford, ME – An Introduction to Journalism class at the University of New England was visited by veteran journalist Liz Gotthelf on Friday, March 29th to discuss her experiences in the field.
Gotthelf founded Saco Bay News in March 2020 after her previous outlet, the Journal Tribune (Biddeford), became inoperative in 2019. With a Dual B.A. In English and Women’s Studies, a M.S. in Women’s Studies, a Post Graduate Certification in Publishing and Communications, and nearing 20 years of journalism experience, Gotthelf has a heavy background in all things writing.
“I really didn’t know that much about online journalism,” Gotthelf explains to the class of 20-something-year-olds.
“[I had] to rethink – retrain my brain,” She asserts.
Gotthelf took training courses and classes to acquaint herself with the methods of online journalism compared to print newspapers. She attests that creating your journal is a multifaceted process combining writing, technical, business, financial, networking, and work-life balance skills.
She then asked the class what they think the most important aspects of journalism are; students Kayleigh Duncan, Sophomore Communications Major (She/Her), and Kristen Leite, Freshman Animal Behavior Major (She/Her) answered.
“Accuracy,” Duncan stated
“Perspectives,” Leite announced.
Both answers were rewarded with a Saco Bay News pen from Gotthelf, an incentive for audience participation.
During the Q&A portion of class with Gotthelf, Duncan inquired about Gotthelf’s advice to aspiring journalists. The response came quickly.
“Develop a thick skin,” Gotthelf claims.
She explains that journalists meet backlash from communities for reporting on controversial topics, so prospective students must understand that they relay factual information to these communities, no matter the response.
More advice crops up as Gotthelf delves into her experiences with tidbits such as not burning bridges, feigning interest in everything, not fear asking questions and follow-up questions, building rapport with people you interview, and more.
The session wraps up when the professor of the class inquires about Gotthelf’s multimedia and multiple platform use. It appears Gotthelf seemingly only utilizes reels on Instagram and Facebook to gain viewers to her website, as she values her outlet’s website above all due to the algorithmic assessments.
Local Journalist Provides UNE Students Real-World Reporting Insights
By Finnigan McDonough
Biddeford, ME – On Mar. 29th, 2024, a journalism class at the University of New England welcomed Liz Gotthelf, who is an independent journalist. Gotthelf spoke about her experiences and background in journalism, from her start at a larger newspaper to her eventual founding of an independent news website called Saco Bay News.
Gotthelf started her talk by discussing the origins of her journalism career, at the Journal Tribune. She got her job there after getting her undergraduate degree from University of Connecticut majoring in English and Women’s studies, a master’s degree in Women’s studies at the University of Minnesota, and finally receiving a certificate in publication and communications from the Harvard Extension School.
She started working at the Journal Tribune in 2006, continuing until 2019, where she was laid off after the paper was sold to a bigger corporation. Afterwards, she worked doing freelance writing work, until a friend of hers recommended she look into independent journalism. She founded her website, the Saco Bay News, in March of 2020, meaning she was shortly affected by the pandemic, although she described it as a benefit.
She then went on to discuss her experiences and thoughts on the shift of journalism from print to online. She gave a brief overview of the differences required in writing style between print and online journalism, including having longer headlines and adding keywords to ensure that your article will show up on the top of Google search results.
“Journalism isn’t dying; it’s evolving”, Gotthelf stated, in regard to the shift catalyzed by online journalism.
After discussing her history with the field, she opened the floor for student questions. There was a discussion on the ethics of giving a voice to those who would spread misinformation, the most rewarding parts of journalism, and how she finds and decides what is worth writing about.
To conclude the visit, she emphasized the importance of local, independent journalism. Gotthelf stated that “anytime you can get a young person interested in local news, it’s good. If they’re not, they won’t care if newspapers are dying, and the newspapers will die.”
Murder Trial Comes to a Close with 40-Year Sentence
Biddeford, ME – Almost three years to the day after the brutal murder of Rhonda Pattelena in York, Maine, on March 26, 2021, Jeffrey Buchannan of Massachusetts was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Pattelena, age 35 at the time of her death, was beaten over the head repeatedly with a rock by
Buchannan, her long-term partner and father of their then two-year-old son, at Short Sands Beach in York.
The horrific murder was captured by Pattelena’s Snapchat video, surveillance footage from nearby buildings, as well as multiple eye-witness accounts from individuals near the beach.
For the three years following Pattelena’s death, Buchannan, now age 36, claimed numerous mental health ailments such as schizophrenia, paranoia, and delusions, yet no official diagnosis was ever made.
Wednesday’s trial marked the final chapter of this emotionally charged domestic violence case, with Superior Court Justice Richard Mulhern presiding over the court at the York Judicial Center in Biddeford to hear the final arguments of the State and Buchannan before delivering the ultimate sentence.
The court was filled with members of Pattelena’s family and friends, many wearing shirts in
support that read “Justice for Rhonda” as her mother, sister, and lifelong friends delivered statements, pleading with the court to give the maximum sentence that had been capped at 43 years.
Reliving the trauma of her sister’s death, Jessica Pattelena stated, “He pretended he wanted to marry my sister and took her to her favorite spot and waited until her back was turned to commit this heinous act.”
Lauri Pattelana, mother of the deceased, also addressed the court, “Her ability to live, breath, watch and raise her boys…were taken at the hands of a pure evil monster.”
Before Justice Mulhern recessed to survey the footage one last time, Buchannan spoke candidly to the court, saying, “I am ashamed, terrified, and disappointed in what I did…I can’t and won’t forgive myself” and asked the court to consider a 30-year sentence.
Justice Mulhern provided his summary and assessment of this cruel act and stated, “The
defendant executed her, and she never saw it coming,” before declaring the final 40-year sentence upon Buchannan.
Liz Gotthelf the founder of Saco Bay News takes a visit to the University of New England. Sharing insight on her experiences in journalism in addition to transitioning into an independent journalist.
On March 29th, 2024 during Professor Jesse Miller’s intro to journalism class, Professor Miller invited Liz Gotthelf to present to the class. Gotthelf has had nearly 20 years of experience in the world of journalism.
Gotthelf was very open to questions as well as sharing her journey and how she got to the career she has today. Sharing details into how she worked for the daily paper in Biddeford (Journal Tribune) for 13 years before its unfortunate closure in 2019. However to Gotthelfs benefit this was just what she needed to begin the transition into becoming independent and starting Saco Bay News in the beginning of 2020. In the class period we also got to learn that transitions are not something Gotthelf shies away from as she shared her college journey. First starting at the University of Connecticut with a major in English and women’s studies before then returning a few later at Minnesota State University to get a Masters in women’s studies. It was then a number of years later that Gotthelf had the realization she wanted to go into journalism and returned once again to school at Harvard Extension School for a certificate in publishing and communications.
In addition to spending a lot of time on her education paths we also got to hear first hand some of the realisms when it comes to journalism. Sharing foundational tips such as the importance of “key words especially with headlines on the internet” Gottehelfs shares when explaining the differences with print and electronic journalism. This concept is important because when searching online the search engines are looking for the key words for you and you want to make sure your headlines are accurate to make sure you can get adequate viewership. While Gotthelf answered many of our questions she had a question for us which was what we thought the most important part when it comes to journalism. Which was answered by Kayleigh Duncan (she/her, sophomore) with the importance of “accuracy”. Highlighting the importance of getting the names and places right. Gotthelf had a lot to share in just one class period and everything shared was beneficial when it came to improving our skills in journalism.
News in the Classroom
Biddeford, ME – Last Friday, March 29th, 2024, at the University of New England, Professor Jesse Miller’s Introduction to Journalism class welcomed Liz Gotthelf, the founder of Saco Bay News and a veteran in the field of journalism with almost 20 years of experience.
Gotthelf began the class by telling the story behind her path in the journalism industry, which began with her time working for the Journal Tribune, a daily paper in Biddeford. The company was bought out in October of 2019, leaving Gotthelf without a job or a plan.
Discussing her history further, Gotthelf explained that this situation was what led to the founding of the Saco Bay Tribune, as online news consumption was booming during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
After telling her story, Gotthelf opened the floor up for questions, where she detailed the difference between physical and online news-writing conventions. Additionally, she noted two critical elements of journalism, accuracy and perspectives.
While investigating the topic of perspectives, the class ruminated on a problem raised by Professor Michael Cripps: Whose opinions matter, and how does one maintain truth in the face of myth? After much deliberation, and due to the subjective nature of the problem, the class reached a rather open-ended consensus, and the Q&A continued.
When asked what advice she would give to an amateur journalist, Gotthelf suggested developing a thick skin, trying to avoid burning bridges, and asking questions.
After detailing where she gets her intel and her article-writing process, Gotthelf concluded the class by stating her belief that young people are the up-and-coming lifeblood of journalism.
On Friday March 29, 2024. In an Introduction to Journalism undergraduate course. At the University of New England.
A speaker came in by the name of Liz Gotthelf a journalist, who worked for the Journal Tribune for over 13 years, until she was laid off in October of 2019. She discusses how she started her founding of Saco Bay News in 2020.
“Got nothing else going, might as well give it a try.” Gotthelf says wistfully. As she talks about why she started the Saco Bay News. She talked about what was a must to run an online journal. With a big emphasis on Search Engine Optimization or simply SEO in the in-terms. SEO is a system in which online pages get views and help readers find Saco Bay News. “Not ranking high on google.” Gotthelf said because this equals “not good” for the small local news station online and its survival on google. Though she has found grants, and has learned that Island Grants apply to coastal towns as well, using these for funding to help keep the news going.
Digital run with high resolution pixels slows the website down. Keeping her head lines with keywords, and letting creative ones slip away are what’s best for being on the SEO and gaining more views and commerce to run it and maintain it running. As well as how different print is from screen text in terms of space and time needed.
Veteran Journalist Gives Advice To Aspiring Students
By Sarah Bedore
Biddeford, ME – On March 29th, the University of New England’s Introduction to Journalism class hosted veteran journalist Liz Gotthelf. She’s the founder of Sao Bay News and spoke about her experiences and background in Journalism.
In October of 2019, Gotthelf was laid off from the Journal Tribune after working there for over 13 years. When the pandemic hit, she made the most of it by turning to online news and creating her own platform. While producing news online took some getting used to, she learned a lot about the process and had the local connections to persevere. Gotthelf explained that the silver lining of the pandemic was everyone was online. Through the Google News program, she was able to grow her site and viewers.
However, with growth comes new challenges. Gotthelf soon expanded to paying employees to promote local news and convince people to view her independent site. Her platform strives to be objective and share all perspectives to the story. A good article shares both sides of the story so the readers can get their own opinion. Giving the readers opposite sides to reference can help them decide how to feel about the article.
Gotthelf believes “accuracy is important, if it’s not true it’s no good”.
As a journalist, Gotthelf’s presence and honest reporting in the community has brought her many connections. Over the years, she’s picked up a few tricks when interviewing for her articles. She politely flatters people in the beginning in an attempt to get them to open up when talking. During the interview, she’s learned to save the hardest questions for last as people are better prepared to answer them after some conversing. After an interview, she shared with the class to never be afraid to send a follow-up email for clarification or more questions.
Journalism takes time to master, it’s not something people just do overnight. In Gotthelf’s case, the transition from newspaper to online articles was successful and a learning experience. She exclaimed, “Newspapers aren’t dying, they’re just evolving”.
Friday March 29th Liz Gotthelf, a Journalist from the Saco Bay News came and visited a class of Journalism students at the University of New England. During her visit Gotthelf shared her experiences as a journalist working in the field and gave some useful advice to the students. One of her main points throughout the discussion was how technology has changed the way that journalists tell stories. Gotthelf had to change her ways of thinking and reconstruct what she had previously learned about journalism and storytelling to conform to the technology dominant future of newspapers. She ended up being able to get a grant from Island trust to get some digital training. One of the first things she talked about that she learned from her digital training was search engine optimism which is a set of techniques that can help you optimize your content for online visibility and relevance.
For example she said when you are crafting your headline for an online story you don’t want it to use metaphors or oxymorons because google doesn’t care about that when people look something up google is searching for the key words in the headline not creativity. She also pointed out how in newspapers your headline has to be short because of the space constraints but online it is more common to see longer headlines. When it comes to uploading pictures to online articles she said “There should be no high resolution pictures on the website it will only slow it down.” Gotthelf explained how the hardest part of switching from physical newspapers to digital is getting people to pay for the content online. She explained how we as a society are so used to getting information for free online that it becomes easy to forget all the hard work that went into all the articles we read online and the fact that news organizations have to “pay for the website, pay their employees and pay themselves.”
When asked how frequently she produces an article she said that she tries to get two articles on the Saco Bay News everyday and with the deadlines it can sometimes feel like “you’re writing with a gun to your head.” Which is why she started hiring several freelancers to help her get the work done. Some tips she gave students to help them find stories was to look at city council agendas, school council agendas, look at press releases, looking in facebook groups, word of mouth and eavesdropping on people in public places. Some advice she had for future journalists was to develop a thick skin, don’t burn bridges, always be polite, take the high road, don’t be afraid to ask follow up questions, butter someone up in the beginning of the interview and then ask the hard hitting questions, and to always nod, smile and pretend that your interested. One other key thing that she reminded the class is that people love dogs and they love food so those are always good topics to write about.
Expert Shares Wisdom With Journalism Class
By Caitlin O’Brien
Biddeford, ME – On Friday, March 29th, CMM 212 was paid a visit by Saco Bay News founder and reporter Liz Gotthelf, who shared her knowledge of the art with the class.
Gotthelf started by explaining how she ended up with Saco Bay News. She was laid off from the now-defunct Journal Tribune after 13 years there in late 2019, and decided to start Saco Bay News several months later. A few days before the March 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, she posted her first story to the website and started gaining readers.
Gotthelf discussed her journalistic experiences, from her writing process to her local connections to her advice for aspiring journalists. She said that new journalists should keep in mind the most important things in news, in her opinion: accuracy, and objectivity. Gotthelf claims that accuracy is important down to the very last detail, especially when writing names. She said it’s crucial to not be afraid to ask questions, no matter how small, to ensure that a story offers the most accurate information that’s available.
On the topic of biases and objectivity, Gotthelf said to “Inform the readers, so they can make their own opinion.” It’s integral to reputable journalism to not push an agenda—we have all seen what happens when opinion is stated as fact.
Gotthelf’s day-to-day as an independent journalist is filled with writing, of course, but also with discussing topics of ongoing stories with her many local connections as well as generating new story ideas. She said that she receives information by attending city council and school board meetings, being present on many press lists, FaceBook groups, and word of mouth. Eavesdropping, she says, can be useful sometimes.
Gotthelf was asked about the claim that news and journalism are dying industries, to which she responded “I don’t think they’re quite dying, they’re just evolving.” Gotthelf went on to explain that, just because not as many newspapers are in print, doesn’t mean they aren’t being read. In recent years, online viewership and subscription is even more important than a consumer’s commitment to an actual paper.
Overall, Gotthelf’s sharing of her gained experiences through almost two decades of journalism was undoubtedly useful to the class.
“The News On The News”
On Friday, March 29th, associate professor Jessie Millers ( he/him) journalism class was visited by Liz Gotthelf ( she/her) , a writer and journalist for the Saco Bay News.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in English/ Woman’s study from the University of Connecticut as well as a Postgraduate degree in Publishing and Communications at a Harvard Extension school.
The class period and the lecture was mostly interactive as Gotthef wanted the students and attending professors to get the answers to questions that they had about the craft of writing as well as how to overcome obstacles when interviewing.
Prior to the interactive questionnaire she detailed her qualifications and her journey into getting her own website and what it means to be a journalist and knowing that not everyone will like what you have to say but its a business of thick skin. However, Gotthelf noted to write the truth but find a means of doing it without burning bridges.
Professor Michael Crips ( he/ him) asked a question regarding that, he asked ” how do you interview someone and report on it knowing that the information could possibly but a tain on the reputation of the person you’re interviewing?”
Gotthelf responded with ” Show them your work before it’s published, and if they have done something wrong, give them a platform to make their public image better.”
Gotthelf’s presence in Friday’s class undoubtedly helped students with their writing and hearing someone speak from their desired field of study will give students the ability to grasp what a day would look like in the profession of journalism.
Zak Ramos (he/him) a Sophomore communications student said “ As someone who wants to potentially pursue journalism, hearing from a veteran was helpful.”
The main message from her lecture was that you should not burn bridges and that your connections can help you get where you need to be.
In the household of the Corneau family, silence filled the house and its residents On Friday March 29, 2024, at three o’clock in the afternoon.
Around that time, over 2,000 years ago, the messiah Jesus was nailed to a crossed and died for the sins and evil of this world commits. Years later, this day is known across the world as Good Friday. This is a day to honor Jesus for the ultimate sacrifice He made as well as granting everyone forgiveness for the sins committed.
Many across the world take time to dedicate Jesus during this day and that is no different within the Corneau household. Around three o’clock is believed to be the time Jesus died on the cross. That time is set to give a moment of silence for Jesus.
“This moment forgave people for their sins and is the most important and biggest moment in history,” said Nick Corneau, resident of the household.
Silence was all in the household to honor Jesus’ sacrifice and gift to the world. Nothing else was on people’s mind during that day other than giving Jesus thanks and honoring Him. It is a time for the people in the household to take time to stop and understand Jesus’ death.
Before three o’clock, Nick read the story for Jesus’ death, a story he knows but is a reminded to him how much Jesus suffered for his love.
“Every time you read it you can’t help but get emotional at how much Jesus suffered for the love of the world,” said Nick.
Right at three silences filled the household. With his head bowed, Nick said nothing, did nothing and only had Jesus on his mind during those moments. Nothing else mattered in that moment.
“It was beautiful out and it truly felt like the world stood still” said Nick during the moment of silence.
Biddeford,Maine. On Friday March 29, 2024 The University of New England hosted local journalist and founder of the Saco Bay News, Liz Gotthelf in marcil hall room 217.
Liz Gotthelf spent her Friday afternoon away from chasing future news stories to publish in the Saco Bay news and attended a journalism class at UNE. The journalism class under the directory of Professor Jesse Miller was able to get first hand knowledge of the field of work many wish to pursue after their time at UNE.
Zak Ramos 26’ a communications major at UNE stated, “It was awesome to be able to ask questions and interact with someone in the line of work that I want to be in as well really made me want to keep pursuing journalism.”
Gotthelf asked the class “Do you think news is dying” after a show of hands on both sides Gotthelf expressed “News is not dying it is evolving.”
After Gotthelf explained the struggles at first of creating her own news page the class was quickly engaged to learn more about the ups and downs she faced.
Gotthelf told the class “It was tough at first because I was not ranking high on google searches but I quickly realized I had to change the names of my headlines to what people would look up.”
Student in the class Kayleigh Duncan 26’ a communications major asked Gotthelf “What advice would she give to aspiring journalists?”
Gottelf was quick to express on “Deadlines and how they are so important in the field and at times it can feel like someone is holding a gun to your head to get an article finished.”
Local Journalist Provides UNE students the inside scoop to Journalism.
By Zak Ramos
Biddeford, ME-
On Friday March 29th, 2024, Professor Jessie Miller’s introduction to journalism class was met by local journalist Liz Gotthelf. Gotthelf spent the class period talking to the students about her experiences as a journalist ranging from her time spent at a larger newspaper company to now running her own paper locally called “Saco Bay News”.
Gotthelf started off her discussion with the students by giving a rundown of her journalism origins. She had told the students that she began her career at the Journal Tribune, a now defunct organization, after she had received her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut majoring in English and Women’s studies, a master’s degree in Women’s studies at the University of Minnesota. Along with a certificate in publication and communications from the Harvard Extension School. Gotthelf later went on to explain that she started working at the Saco Bay newspaper in 2020 shortly before the Covid pandemic had started.
This led to Gotthelf explaining how she had to shift her writing style to fit that of an online newspaper opposed to the traditional paper newspapers. She went on to explain the major differences between the two such as having longer headlines and using key words to bolster your writing to the top of the google news algorithm.
Later in her lecture, Gotthelf opened up the floor to the students to ask her any questions that they may have had about journalism or her experiences.
She fielded questions regarding a wide range of topics including, how she gets her stories, advice to aspiring journalists, the most rewarding part of her job and even a question from Professor Miller regarding her process.
“I thought it was a good class. It was good to get a break from projects, but it was also helpful to learn the backstory of the business.” (Evan Glynos 2026-Communications-he/him).
“I think that she has a great insight on the profession of journalism, it’s clear she is committed to the job of journalism as well as the craft.” (Tony D’Arcangelo 2026/Communications/he/him).
Local journalism class learns the tricks of the trade from veteran journalist.
Biddeford, ME – Liz Gotthelf shares the ins and outs of a career in journalism with students at the University of New England.
Liz Gotthelf visited the University of New England’s Introduction to Journalism course on March 29th, 2024, to share her expertise in the field with the prospective journalists. Gotthelf has been a practicing journalist for over 13 years, beginning her career at the Journal Tribune, which is no longer in existence. Noticing a decline in the number of local papers, Gotthelf was inspired to open the Saco Bay News, reporting on the communities of Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach in Maine.
“I really did not know anything about online [publishing]”, Gotthelf told the journalism students when explaining her journey toward creating the Saco Bay News. She explained the importance of search engines and understanding the use of key words to gain a larger audience.
“Newspapers are not dying, they’re evolving,” Gotthelf said explaining the changing climate of the news industry. Gotthelf emphasized the point of the importance of local news when speaking to the students, explaining that without local news, nothing can spread.
Gotthelf also discussed the importance of getting both sides of a story.
“It is important to not shut down ideas, and to allow them to be countered by facts” said Finn McDonough, a senior student, in response to Gotthelf’s explanation.
Gotthelf continued by going into her reasoning behind her career choice. She explained that while she originally went to school for English, she had a large shift in her 30’s which pushed her to go back to school to pursue writing.
“I always wanted to be a writer,” Gotthelf said when discussing her decision to go back to school.
Gotthelf concluded by giving the students something to think about.
“If younger people don’t care, news will die”, Gotthelf told the class dramatically, encouraging students who have interest in writing to push further into it.
Local Journalism Class Catches A Glimpse Of Professionalism
By Gage Maxfield
Biddeford, ME – On March 29th, 2024, the Introduction to Journalism class led by Professor Jessie Miller at the University of New England welcomed a special guest: local journalist Liz Gotthelf. Gotthelf, the founder of “Saco Bay News,” engaged the students with tales from her journey in journalism, spanning from her tenure at a major newspaper to her current grassroots endeavor.
Beginning her discussion, Gotthelf recounted her journalistic origins, tracing her path from the now-defunct Journal Tribune to her present role. Armed with an undergraduate degree in English and Women’s Studies from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree in Women’s Studies from the University of Minnesota, and a certificate in publication and communications from Harvard Extension School, Gotthelf shared insights honed over years of experience. She delved into her transition to digital journalism amidst the onset of the Covid pandemic, highlighting the shift in writing styles necessitated by online platforms.
Amidst her illustrious career trajectory, Liz Gotthelf faced a pivotal moment in 2013 when she found herself unexpectedly laid off, devoid of a concrete plan. This juncture served as a crucible, testing her resilience and resolve in the face of uncertainty. Undeterred by the setback, Gotthelf seized the opportunity to embark on a journey of reinvention, leveraging her expertise and passion for storytelling to carve a new path forward. Reflecting on her career transition during her lecture, Liz Gotthelf candidly shared the challenges she encountered due to her initial lack of familiarity with online news and media. Admitting to her limited knowledge in this domain, Gotthelf elucidated the steep learning curve she faced in adapting to the digital era of journalism.
Queries ranged from sourcing stories to advice for budding journalists, with Professor Miller also engaging Gotthelf in discussions about her creative process. The exchange provided UNE students with a rare opportunity to glean firsthand insights from a seasoned journalist, enriching their understanding of the evolving landscape of media and storytelling.
In an era defined by rapid digital transformation, Gotthelf’s visit underscored the importance of adaptability and innovation in the field of journalism. Her candid reflections offered a glimpse into the realities of modern-day reporting, inspiring the next generation of storytellers to navigate the ever-changing currents of the media landscape with confidence and insight.
In a heartfelt moment during her lecture, Liz Gotthelf shared with the class that the most rewarding feedback she receives as a journalist comes directly from the community she serves. Expressing profound gratitude for the connection forged with her readers, Gotthelf spoke of the profound impact of hearing firsthand how her reporting resonates with individuals and enriches their lives.
15 thoughts on “JOURNAL # 17”
Journalist from the Saco Bay News Visits Journalism Classroom
Her Advice and Knowledge
By Sarah Bourdeau
Biddeford, ME – An Introduction to Journalism class at the University of New England was visited by veteran journalist Liz Gotthelf on Friday, March 29th to discuss her experiences in the field.
Gotthelf founded Saco Bay News in March 2020 after her previous outlet, the Journal Tribune (Biddeford), became inoperative in 2019. With a Dual B.A. In English and Women’s Studies, a M.S. in Women’s Studies, a Post Graduate Certification in Publishing and Communications, and nearing 20 years of journalism experience, Gotthelf has a heavy background in all things writing.
“I really didn’t know that much about online journalism,” Gotthelf explains to the class of 20-something-year-olds.
“[I had] to rethink – retrain my brain,” She asserts.
Gotthelf took training courses and classes to acquaint herself with the methods of online journalism compared to print newspapers. She attests that creating your journal is a multifaceted process combining writing, technical, business, financial, networking, and work-life balance skills.
She then asked the class what they think the most important aspects of journalism are; students Kayleigh Duncan, Sophomore Communications Major (She/Her), and Kristen Leite, Freshman Animal Behavior Major (She/Her) answered.
“Accuracy,” Duncan stated
“Perspectives,” Leite announced.
Both answers were rewarded with a Saco Bay News pen from Gotthelf, an incentive for audience participation.
During the Q&A portion of class with Gotthelf, Duncan inquired about Gotthelf’s advice to aspiring journalists. The response came quickly.
“Develop a thick skin,” Gotthelf claims.
She explains that journalists meet backlash from communities for reporting on controversial topics, so prospective students must understand that they relay factual information to these communities, no matter the response.
More advice crops up as Gotthelf delves into her experiences with tidbits such as not burning bridges, feigning interest in everything, not fear asking questions and follow-up questions, building rapport with people you interview, and more.
The session wraps up when the professor of the class inquires about Gotthelf’s multimedia and multiple platform use. It appears Gotthelf seemingly only utilizes reels on Instagram and Facebook to gain viewers to her website, as she values her outlet’s website above all due to the algorithmic assessments.
Local Journalist Provides UNE Students Real-World Reporting Insights
By Finnigan McDonough
Biddeford, ME – On Mar. 29th, 2024, a journalism class at the University of New England welcomed Liz Gotthelf, who is an independent journalist. Gotthelf spoke about her experiences and background in journalism, from her start at a larger newspaper to her eventual founding of an independent news website called Saco Bay News.
Gotthelf started her talk by discussing the origins of her journalism career, at the Journal Tribune. She got her job there after getting her undergraduate degree from University of Connecticut majoring in English and Women’s studies, a master’s degree in Women’s studies at the University of Minnesota, and finally receiving a certificate in publication and communications from the Harvard Extension School.
She started working at the Journal Tribune in 2006, continuing until 2019, where she was laid off after the paper was sold to a bigger corporation. Afterwards, she worked doing freelance writing work, until a friend of hers recommended she look into independent journalism. She founded her website, the Saco Bay News, in March of 2020, meaning she was shortly affected by the pandemic, although she described it as a benefit.
She then went on to discuss her experiences and thoughts on the shift of journalism from print to online. She gave a brief overview of the differences required in writing style between print and online journalism, including having longer headlines and adding keywords to ensure that your article will show up on the top of Google search results.
“Journalism isn’t dying; it’s evolving”, Gotthelf stated, in regard to the shift catalyzed by online journalism.
After discussing her history with the field, she opened the floor for student questions. There was a discussion on the ethics of giving a voice to those who would spread misinformation, the most rewarding parts of journalism, and how she finds and decides what is worth writing about.
To conclude the visit, she emphasized the importance of local, independent journalism. Gotthelf stated that “anytime you can get a young person interested in local news, it’s good. If they’re not, they won’t care if newspapers are dying, and the newspapers will die.”
Murder Trial Comes to a Close with 40-Year Sentence
Biddeford, ME – Almost three years to the day after the brutal murder of Rhonda Pattelena in York, Maine, on March 26, 2021, Jeffrey Buchannan of Massachusetts was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Pattelena, age 35 at the time of her death, was beaten over the head repeatedly with a rock by
Buchannan, her long-term partner and father of their then two-year-old son, at Short Sands Beach in York.
The horrific murder was captured by Pattelena’s Snapchat video, surveillance footage from nearby buildings, as well as multiple eye-witness accounts from individuals near the beach.
For the three years following Pattelena’s death, Buchannan, now age 36, claimed numerous mental health ailments such as schizophrenia, paranoia, and delusions, yet no official diagnosis was ever made.
Wednesday’s trial marked the final chapter of this emotionally charged domestic violence case, with Superior Court Justice Richard Mulhern presiding over the court at the York Judicial Center in Biddeford to hear the final arguments of the State and Buchannan before delivering the ultimate sentence.
The court was filled with members of Pattelena’s family and friends, many wearing shirts in
support that read “Justice for Rhonda” as her mother, sister, and lifelong friends delivered statements, pleading with the court to give the maximum sentence that had been capped at 43 years.
Reliving the trauma of her sister’s death, Jessica Pattelena stated, “He pretended he wanted to marry my sister and took her to her favorite spot and waited until her back was turned to commit this heinous act.”
Lauri Pattelana, mother of the deceased, also addressed the court, “Her ability to live, breath, watch and raise her boys…were taken at the hands of a pure evil monster.”
Before Justice Mulhern recessed to survey the footage one last time, Buchannan spoke candidly to the court, saying, “I am ashamed, terrified, and disappointed in what I did…I can’t and won’t forgive myself” and asked the court to consider a 30-year sentence.
Justice Mulhern provided his summary and assessment of this cruel act and stated, “The
defendant executed her, and she never saw it coming,” before declaring the final 40-year sentence upon Buchannan.
Breaking News at the University of New England
Liz Gotthelf the founder of Saco Bay News takes a visit to the University of New England. Sharing insight on her experiences in journalism in addition to transitioning into an independent journalist.
On March 29th, 2024 during Professor Jesse Miller’s intro to journalism class, Professor Miller invited Liz Gotthelf to present to the class. Gotthelf has had nearly 20 years of experience in the world of journalism.
Gotthelf was very open to questions as well as sharing her journey and how she got to the career she has today. Sharing details into how she worked for the daily paper in Biddeford (Journal Tribune) for 13 years before its unfortunate closure in 2019. However to Gotthelfs benefit this was just what she needed to begin the transition into becoming independent and starting Saco Bay News in the beginning of 2020. In the class period we also got to learn that transitions are not something Gotthelf shies away from as she shared her college journey. First starting at the University of Connecticut with a major in English and women’s studies before then returning a few later at Minnesota State University to get a Masters in women’s studies. It was then a number of years later that Gotthelf had the realization she wanted to go into journalism and returned once again to school at Harvard Extension School for a certificate in publishing and communications.
In addition to spending a lot of time on her education paths we also got to hear first hand some of the realisms when it comes to journalism. Sharing foundational tips such as the importance of “key words especially with headlines on the internet” Gottehelfs shares when explaining the differences with print and electronic journalism. This concept is important because when searching online the search engines are looking for the key words for you and you want to make sure your headlines are accurate to make sure you can get adequate viewership. While Gotthelf answered many of our questions she had a question for us which was what we thought the most important part when it comes to journalism. Which was answered by Kayleigh Duncan (she/her, sophomore) with the importance of “accuracy”. Highlighting the importance of getting the names and places right. Gotthelf had a lot to share in just one class period and everything shared was beneficial when it came to improving our skills in journalism.
News in the Classroom
Biddeford, ME – Last Friday, March 29th, 2024, at the University of New England, Professor Jesse Miller’s Introduction to Journalism class welcomed Liz Gotthelf, the founder of Saco Bay News and a veteran in the field of journalism with almost 20 years of experience.
Gotthelf began the class by telling the story behind her path in the journalism industry, which began with her time working for the Journal Tribune, a daily paper in Biddeford. The company was bought out in October of 2019, leaving Gotthelf without a job or a plan.
Discussing her history further, Gotthelf explained that this situation was what led to the founding of the Saco Bay Tribune, as online news consumption was booming during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
After telling her story, Gotthelf opened the floor up for questions, where she detailed the difference between physical and online news-writing conventions. Additionally, she noted two critical elements of journalism, accuracy and perspectives.
While investigating the topic of perspectives, the class ruminated on a problem raised by Professor Michael Cripps: Whose opinions matter, and how does one maintain truth in the face of myth? After much deliberation, and due to the subjective nature of the problem, the class reached a rather open-ended consensus, and the Q&A continued.
When asked what advice she would give to an amateur journalist, Gotthelf suggested developing a thick skin, trying to avoid burning bridges, and asking questions.
After detailing where she gets her intel and her article-writing process, Gotthelf concluded the class by stating her belief that young people are the up-and-coming lifeblood of journalism.
From Paper and Print to Screens and Text
On Friday March 29, 2024. In an Introduction to Journalism undergraduate course. At the University of New England.
A speaker came in by the name of Liz Gotthelf a journalist, who worked for the Journal Tribune for over 13 years, until she was laid off in October of 2019. She discusses how she started her founding of Saco Bay News in 2020.
“Got nothing else going, might as well give it a try.” Gotthelf says wistfully. As she talks about why she started the Saco Bay News. She talked about what was a must to run an online journal. With a big emphasis on Search Engine Optimization or simply SEO in the in-terms. SEO is a system in which online pages get views and help readers find Saco Bay News. “Not ranking high on google.” Gotthelf said because this equals “not good” for the small local news station online and its survival on google. Though she has found grants, and has learned that Island Grants apply to coastal towns as well, using these for funding to help keep the news going.
Digital run with high resolution pixels slows the website down. Keeping her head lines with keywords, and letting creative ones slip away are what’s best for being on the SEO and gaining more views and commerce to run it and maintain it running. As well as how different print is from screen text in terms of space and time needed.
Veteran Journalist Gives Advice To Aspiring Students
By Sarah Bedore
Biddeford, ME – On March 29th, the University of New England’s Introduction to Journalism class hosted veteran journalist Liz Gotthelf. She’s the founder of Sao Bay News and spoke about her experiences and background in Journalism.
In October of 2019, Gotthelf was laid off from the Journal Tribune after working there for over 13 years. When the pandemic hit, she made the most of it by turning to online news and creating her own platform. While producing news online took some getting used to, she learned a lot about the process and had the local connections to persevere. Gotthelf explained that the silver lining of the pandemic was everyone was online. Through the Google News program, she was able to grow her site and viewers.
However, with growth comes new challenges. Gotthelf soon expanded to paying employees to promote local news and convince people to view her independent site. Her platform strives to be objective and share all perspectives to the story. A good article shares both sides of the story so the readers can get their own opinion. Giving the readers opposite sides to reference can help them decide how to feel about the article.
Gotthelf believes “accuracy is important, if it’s not true it’s no good”.
As a journalist, Gotthelf’s presence and honest reporting in the community has brought her many connections. Over the years, she’s picked up a few tricks when interviewing for her articles. She politely flatters people in the beginning in an attempt to get them to open up when talking. During the interview, she’s learned to save the hardest questions for last as people are better prepared to answer them after some conversing. After an interview, she shared with the class to never be afraid to send a follow-up email for clarification or more questions.
Journalism takes time to master, it’s not something people just do overnight. In Gotthelf’s case, the transition from newspaper to online articles was successful and a learning experience. She exclaimed, “Newspapers aren’t dying, they’re just evolving”.
Newspapers Are Not Dying They Are Evolving
By: Kayleigh Duncan
Friday March 29th Liz Gotthelf, a Journalist from the Saco Bay News came and visited a class of Journalism students at the University of New England. During her visit Gotthelf shared her experiences as a journalist working in the field and gave some useful advice to the students. One of her main points throughout the discussion was how technology has changed the way that journalists tell stories. Gotthelf had to change her ways of thinking and reconstruct what she had previously learned about journalism and storytelling to conform to the technology dominant future of newspapers. She ended up being able to get a grant from Island trust to get some digital training. One of the first things she talked about that she learned from her digital training was search engine optimism which is a set of techniques that can help you optimize your content for online visibility and relevance.
For example she said when you are crafting your headline for an online story you don’t want it to use metaphors or oxymorons because google doesn’t care about that when people look something up google is searching for the key words in the headline not creativity. She also pointed out how in newspapers your headline has to be short because of the space constraints but online it is more common to see longer headlines. When it comes to uploading pictures to online articles she said “There should be no high resolution pictures on the website it will only slow it down.” Gotthelf explained how the hardest part of switching from physical newspapers to digital is getting people to pay for the content online. She explained how we as a society are so used to getting information for free online that it becomes easy to forget all the hard work that went into all the articles we read online and the fact that news organizations have to “pay for the website, pay their employees and pay themselves.”
When asked how frequently she produces an article she said that she tries to get two articles on the Saco Bay News everyday and with the deadlines it can sometimes feel like “you’re writing with a gun to your head.” Which is why she started hiring several freelancers to help her get the work done. Some tips she gave students to help them find stories was to look at city council agendas, school council agendas, look at press releases, looking in facebook groups, word of mouth and eavesdropping on people in public places. Some advice she had for future journalists was to develop a thick skin, don’t burn bridges, always be polite, take the high road, don’t be afraid to ask follow up questions, butter someone up in the beginning of the interview and then ask the hard hitting questions, and to always nod, smile and pretend that your interested. One other key thing that she reminded the class is that people love dogs and they love food so those are always good topics to write about.
Expert Shares Wisdom With Journalism Class
By Caitlin O’Brien
Biddeford, ME – On Friday, March 29th, CMM 212 was paid a visit by Saco Bay News founder and reporter Liz Gotthelf, who shared her knowledge of the art with the class.
Gotthelf started by explaining how she ended up with Saco Bay News. She was laid off from the now-defunct Journal Tribune after 13 years there in late 2019, and decided to start Saco Bay News several months later. A few days before the March 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, she posted her first story to the website and started gaining readers.
Gotthelf discussed her journalistic experiences, from her writing process to her local connections to her advice for aspiring journalists. She said that new journalists should keep in mind the most important things in news, in her opinion: accuracy, and objectivity. Gotthelf claims that accuracy is important down to the very last detail, especially when writing names. She said it’s crucial to not be afraid to ask questions, no matter how small, to ensure that a story offers the most accurate information that’s available.
On the topic of biases and objectivity, Gotthelf said to “Inform the readers, so they can make their own opinion.” It’s integral to reputable journalism to not push an agenda—we have all seen what happens when opinion is stated as fact.
Gotthelf’s day-to-day as an independent journalist is filled with writing, of course, but also with discussing topics of ongoing stories with her many local connections as well as generating new story ideas. She said that she receives information by attending city council and school board meetings, being present on many press lists, FaceBook groups, and word of mouth. Eavesdropping, she says, can be useful sometimes.
Gotthelf was asked about the claim that news and journalism are dying industries, to which she responded “I don’t think they’re quite dying, they’re just evolving.” Gotthelf went on to explain that, just because not as many newspapers are in print, doesn’t mean they aren’t being read. In recent years, online viewership and subscription is even more important than a consumer’s commitment to an actual paper.
Overall, Gotthelf’s sharing of her gained experiences through almost two decades of journalism was undoubtedly useful to the class.
“The News On The News”
On Friday, March 29th, associate professor Jessie Millers ( he/him) journalism class was visited by Liz Gotthelf ( she/her) , a writer and journalist for the Saco Bay News.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in English/ Woman’s study from the University of Connecticut as well as a Postgraduate degree in Publishing and Communications at a Harvard Extension school.
The class period and the lecture was mostly interactive as Gotthef wanted the students and attending professors to get the answers to questions that they had about the craft of writing as well as how to overcome obstacles when interviewing.
Prior to the interactive questionnaire she detailed her qualifications and her journey into getting her own website and what it means to be a journalist and knowing that not everyone will like what you have to say but its a business of thick skin. However, Gotthelf noted to write the truth but find a means of doing it without burning bridges.
Professor Michael Crips ( he/ him) asked a question regarding that, he asked ” how do you interview someone and report on it knowing that the information could possibly but a tain on the reputation of the person you’re interviewing?”
Gotthelf responded with ” Show them your work before it’s published, and if they have done something wrong, give them a platform to make their public image better.”
Gotthelf’s presence in Friday’s class undoubtedly helped students with their writing and hearing someone speak from their desired field of study will give students the ability to grasp what a day would look like in the profession of journalism.
Zak Ramos (he/him) a Sophomore communications student said “ As someone who wants to potentially pursue journalism, hearing from a veteran was helpful.”
The main message from her lecture was that you should not burn bridges and that your connections can help you get where you need to be.
The Time of His Death
In the household of the Corneau family, silence filled the house and its residents On Friday March 29, 2024, at three o’clock in the afternoon.
Around that time, over 2,000 years ago, the messiah Jesus was nailed to a crossed and died for the sins and evil of this world commits. Years later, this day is known across the world as Good Friday. This is a day to honor Jesus for the ultimate sacrifice He made as well as granting everyone forgiveness for the sins committed.
Many across the world take time to dedicate Jesus during this day and that is no different within the Corneau household. Around three o’clock is believed to be the time Jesus died on the cross. That time is set to give a moment of silence for Jesus.
“This moment forgave people for their sins and is the most important and biggest moment in history,” said Nick Corneau, resident of the household.
Silence was all in the household to honor Jesus’ sacrifice and gift to the world. Nothing else was on people’s mind during that day other than giving Jesus thanks and honoring Him. It is a time for the people in the household to take time to stop and understand Jesus’ death.
Before three o’clock, Nick read the story for Jesus’ death, a story he knows but is a reminded to him how much Jesus suffered for his love.
“Every time you read it you can’t help but get emotional at how much Jesus suffered for the love of the world,” said Nick.
Right at three silences filled the household. With his head bowed, Nick said nothing, did nothing and only had Jesus on his mind during those moments. Nothing else mattered in that moment.
“It was beautiful out and it truly felt like the world stood still” said Nick during the moment of silence.
Keeping News Alive
Biddeford,Maine. On Friday March 29, 2024 The University of New England hosted local journalist and founder of the Saco Bay News, Liz Gotthelf in marcil hall room 217.
Liz Gotthelf spent her Friday afternoon away from chasing future news stories to publish in the Saco Bay news and attended a journalism class at UNE. The journalism class under the directory of Professor Jesse Miller was able to get first hand knowledge of the field of work many wish to pursue after their time at UNE.
Zak Ramos 26’ a communications major at UNE stated, “It was awesome to be able to ask questions and interact with someone in the line of work that I want to be in as well really made me want to keep pursuing journalism.”
Gotthelf asked the class “Do you think news is dying” after a show of hands on both sides Gotthelf expressed “News is not dying it is evolving.”
After Gotthelf explained the struggles at first of creating her own news page the class was quickly engaged to learn more about the ups and downs she faced.
Gotthelf told the class “It was tough at first because I was not ranking high on google searches but I quickly realized I had to change the names of my headlines to what people would look up.”
Student in the class Kayleigh Duncan 26’ a communications major asked Gotthelf “What advice would she give to aspiring journalists?”
Gottelf was quick to express on “Deadlines and how they are so important in the field and at times it can feel like someone is holding a gun to your head to get an article finished.”
Local Journalist Provides UNE students the inside scoop to Journalism.
By Zak Ramos
Biddeford, ME-
On Friday March 29th, 2024, Professor Jessie Miller’s introduction to journalism class was met by local journalist Liz Gotthelf. Gotthelf spent the class period talking to the students about her experiences as a journalist ranging from her time spent at a larger newspaper company to now running her own paper locally called “Saco Bay News”.
Gotthelf started off her discussion with the students by giving a rundown of her journalism origins. She had told the students that she began her career at the Journal Tribune, a now defunct organization, after she had received her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut majoring in English and Women’s studies, a master’s degree in Women’s studies at the University of Minnesota. Along with a certificate in publication and communications from the Harvard Extension School. Gotthelf later went on to explain that she started working at the Saco Bay newspaper in 2020 shortly before the Covid pandemic had started.
This led to Gotthelf explaining how she had to shift her writing style to fit that of an online newspaper opposed to the traditional paper newspapers. She went on to explain the major differences between the two such as having longer headlines and using key words to bolster your writing to the top of the google news algorithm.
Later in her lecture, Gotthelf opened up the floor to the students to ask her any questions that they may have had about journalism or her experiences.
She fielded questions regarding a wide range of topics including, how she gets her stories, advice to aspiring journalists, the most rewarding part of her job and even a question from Professor Miller regarding her process.
“I thought it was a good class. It was good to get a break from projects, but it was also helpful to learn the backstory of the business.” (Evan Glynos 2026-Communications-he/him).
“I think that she has a great insight on the profession of journalism, it’s clear she is committed to the job of journalism as well as the craft.” (Tony D’Arcangelo 2026/Communications/he/him).
Local journalism class learns the tricks of the trade from veteran journalist.
Biddeford, ME – Liz Gotthelf shares the ins and outs of a career in journalism with students at the University of New England.
Liz Gotthelf visited the University of New England’s Introduction to Journalism course on March 29th, 2024, to share her expertise in the field with the prospective journalists. Gotthelf has been a practicing journalist for over 13 years, beginning her career at the Journal Tribune, which is no longer in existence. Noticing a decline in the number of local papers, Gotthelf was inspired to open the Saco Bay News, reporting on the communities of Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach in Maine.
“I really did not know anything about online [publishing]”, Gotthelf told the journalism students when explaining her journey toward creating the Saco Bay News. She explained the importance of search engines and understanding the use of key words to gain a larger audience.
“Newspapers are not dying, they’re evolving,” Gotthelf said explaining the changing climate of the news industry. Gotthelf emphasized the point of the importance of local news when speaking to the students, explaining that without local news, nothing can spread.
Gotthelf also discussed the importance of getting both sides of a story.
“It is important to not shut down ideas, and to allow them to be countered by facts” said Finn McDonough, a senior student, in response to Gotthelf’s explanation.
Gotthelf continued by going into her reasoning behind her career choice. She explained that while she originally went to school for English, she had a large shift in her 30’s which pushed her to go back to school to pursue writing.
“I always wanted to be a writer,” Gotthelf said when discussing her decision to go back to school.
Gotthelf concluded by giving the students something to think about.
“If younger people don’t care, news will die”, Gotthelf told the class dramatically, encouraging students who have interest in writing to push further into it.
Local Journalism Class Catches A Glimpse Of Professionalism
By Gage Maxfield
Biddeford, ME – On March 29th, 2024, the Introduction to Journalism class led by Professor Jessie Miller at the University of New England welcomed a special guest: local journalist Liz Gotthelf. Gotthelf, the founder of “Saco Bay News,” engaged the students with tales from her journey in journalism, spanning from her tenure at a major newspaper to her current grassroots endeavor.
Beginning her discussion, Gotthelf recounted her journalistic origins, tracing her path from the now-defunct Journal Tribune to her present role. Armed with an undergraduate degree in English and Women’s Studies from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree in Women’s Studies from the University of Minnesota, and a certificate in publication and communications from Harvard Extension School, Gotthelf shared insights honed over years of experience. She delved into her transition to digital journalism amidst the onset of the Covid pandemic, highlighting the shift in writing styles necessitated by online platforms.
Amidst her illustrious career trajectory, Liz Gotthelf faced a pivotal moment in 2013 when she found herself unexpectedly laid off, devoid of a concrete plan. This juncture served as a crucible, testing her resilience and resolve in the face of uncertainty. Undeterred by the setback, Gotthelf seized the opportunity to embark on a journey of reinvention, leveraging her expertise and passion for storytelling to carve a new path forward. Reflecting on her career transition during her lecture, Liz Gotthelf candidly shared the challenges she encountered due to her initial lack of familiarity with online news and media. Admitting to her limited knowledge in this domain, Gotthelf elucidated the steep learning curve she faced in adapting to the digital era of journalism.
Queries ranged from sourcing stories to advice for budding journalists, with Professor Miller also engaging Gotthelf in discussions about her creative process. The exchange provided UNE students with a rare opportunity to glean firsthand insights from a seasoned journalist, enriching their understanding of the evolving landscape of media and storytelling.
In an era defined by rapid digital transformation, Gotthelf’s visit underscored the importance of adaptability and innovation in the field of journalism. Her candid reflections offered a glimpse into the realities of modern-day reporting, inspiring the next generation of storytellers to navigate the ever-changing currents of the media landscape with confidence and insight.
In a heartfelt moment during her lecture, Liz Gotthelf shared with the class that the most rewarding feedback she receives as a journalist comes directly from the community she serves. Expressing profound gratitude for the connection forged with her readers, Gotthelf spoke of the profound impact of hearing firsthand how her reporting resonates with individuals and enriches their lives.