by: Nu Yang

When tornadoes swept through eastern Kentucky in March, it affected the lives of many people in West Liberty — including Licking Valley Courier owner and publisher Earl Kinner. Kinner lost his home, and the newspaper’s office was severely damaged, but his journalistic spirit was still intact. Armed with a notebook, he went to work, interviewing fellow tornado survivors.

“I wasn’t at all surprised to hear he was doing that,” reporter Miranda Cantrell told the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader. “He told people, ‘My paper’s coming back.’”

Cantrell started a Facebook page (facebook.com/courierpublishing) for the 112-year-old newspaper to share news updates. Within a few days, it had more than 500 followers.