On August 27th, we will officially celebrate six months since we launched the Leesburg Times Media Company. Today, August 11th, we’re kicking off the celebration early to reflect on how far we’ve come and to thank everyone who has supported us along the way.

It all began with a moment of inspiration. Our Publisher and CEO, Rylan Hackworth, was attending the groundbreaking of the new health center at Fairfield when he took a few notes. Those notes became a heartfelt article posted to Facebook. From there, Rylan emailed the Ohio Director of Development, reached out to local businesses, and began lining up interviews. That single act of storytelling became the foundation for what we’ve built—a media company rooted in authenticity, service, and a deep commitment to our community.

On February 27, 2025, we officially formed the Leesburg Times Media Company with a clear mission to create a newspaper that avoids political bias, supports our community in every way possible, and highlights the people who work tirelessly to keep our towns alive. From first responders and municipal workers to small business owners and volunteers, we are here to tell the stories that matter most.

Rylan was joined by Jordyn Carson, our Managing Editor and Chief Operating Officer, who helped shape our editorial voice and previously hosted The Jordyn Carson Show under Aerolighte Media. Kaydence Leonard also joined our founding team as Editor-at-Large for both the Leesburg Times and The Frankfort Dispatch. She also serves as our Director of Innovation and is the lead poet for our Poetry and Books Division.

Our very first interview was with Erica Hurless-Miller and Timothy Thuering, Assistant Chiefs at the Highland County North Joint Fire and Ambulance District. At the time, we had no following. Since then, we’ve grown to reach hundreds of readers, especially on Facebook, where our stories continue to resonate with the community.

On May 12, Rylan was invited onto Local12 News to talk about the Leesburg Times and our mission. Just one week later, on May 19, he was recognized at the Fairfield Local School District Board Meeting with the Communication Award for the district’s Portrait of a Lion program. The award honored our launch and Rylan’s appearance on Local12.

On July 27, we expanded with the launch of our second publication, The Frankfort Dispatch, which covers Frankfort, Concord Township, and Ross County. With this expansion, we now proudly serve Highland, Fayette, and Ross counties.

We recently welcomed Harlo Lamb to our team as Director of Poetry and Books. Harlo brings fresh creativity and leadership to our literary division, and we’re excited to see that part of our company grow.

Today, our team includes ten passionate volunteers, two full-time and eight part-time, who contribute their talents to build something meaningful for our region. Our team members are Rylan Hackworth, Jordyn Carson, Kaydence Leonard, Harlo Lamb, Trevor Morris, Layla Howard, McKenzi Cox, Jaylin Allgood, Brooklynn Talbott, and Trinit Glisson.

Rylan’s journalism journey began with podcasting. He ran The Rylan William Podcast, now The Rylan William Show, and previously led a podcasting company called Aerolighte Media. Jordyn was also part of that journey and hosted her own show, The Jordyn Carson Show, which now operates under our Audio and Shows Division.

As we count down to our August 27th anniversary, we want to hear from you. What do you want to see from the Leesburg Times? Are you interested in new divisions like sports, technology, or lifestyle? Do you have article ideas or community spotlights you’d like us to cover? Are there products or services you’d love to see us offer?

We are open to all suggestions. You can comment below, message us on Facebook, call or text us at 937-403-0877, or email us at contact@leesburgtimes. We offer interviews and advertising completely free of charge because supporting our community is our top priority.

Thank you for believing in us, growing with us, and helping us build something truly special. Share this article with your friends and family and help us celebrate six months of the Leesburg Times Media Company on August 27th.

We’re just getting started.