Saluting Sandusky's newsman

SANDUSKY — If Matt Westerhold's career successes in journalism were a newspaper, it'd have so many pages that you'd need a forklift to haul it from your mailbox to your coffee table. Westerhold, the longtime editor of the Register, officially retired at the start of this month. He attended Sandusky High School and graduated from Ohio University, and spent the large portion of his more than 30-year career in journalism with the Register, most recently as its executive editor. To mark Westerhold's long career in local journalism, current and former Register staffers offered thoughts, anecdotes and well-wishes for his retirement: *** To the man, the myth, the legendary newsman and editor, Matt Westerhold, as you embark on your well-deserved retirement, it's been an absolute honor. For years, I had the privilege of working side-by-side with you as your assistant managing editor, navigating the wild, unpredictable world of news. From KKK-clad state troopers to the depths of the recession and housing crisis, from horrific triple homicides to the controversial ouster of our first female police chief, we covered it all. Tornadoes, boat crashes, plane crashes, train crashes, rotten-to-the-core sheriffs, childhood cancer clusters – you name it, we tackled it, and we covered it well. Sandusky, your beloved hometown, is undoubtedly a better place for your unwavering service through the years. Matt, you never once backed down from "fighting the good fight." You approached every challenge with an incredible blend of humor, passion and profound compassion. Your dedication to truth and justice is unwavering, and your ability to lead with both strength and empathy remains truly inspiring. I learned so much from you over the years, not just about journalism, but about life and leadership. More than a colleague, I'm honored to call you a friend. May your retirement be filled with as much adventure, irreverence and laughter as you brought to the newsroom. Cheers to you, Matt! Cheryl Welch, former Register assistant managing editor *** Matt Westerhold cares. He can evoke spirited and at times fiery reactions from readers, but no one who knows him can deny his deep commitment to his craft and to the communities he serves. Matt is the most human journalist I have ever worked with. By that, I mean he is real. He truly cares about the people and stories he covers. I have seen him quietly moved to tears while writing about victims of unthinkable acts. I have also seen him stand firm with public officials who needed to be held accountable. He brings both compassion and resolve to his work, and that balance has made him a needed voice in the region. Over the years, Matt has guided and influenced countless young journalists, myself included. He has a way of recognizing potential and helping people grow into it. His mentorship and example shaped careers and strengthened local journalism. The Sandusky region is better because Matt has been its editor. His work has sparked important conversations, amplified voices that often go unheard and reminded us of the humanity at the center of every story. Congratulations, Matt. Your impact will be felt in this community for years to come. Patrick Pfanner, former Register news editor *** Matt is everything a reporter wants in an editor — someone who always has your back, while also never getting off the backs of those in power. He was my first managing editor and I'll always be grateful I started my journalism career working for him in my hometown. I learned so many valuable things from Matt during my time at the Register. That includes skills like video interviews for "Between the Lines" and hosting local school board debates, but also something deeper: how to chase the truth with a deep sense of responsibility to your community. I hope I'll still have his persistence and passion when I reach the end of my career. When I told Matt I was a finalist for a job with The Columbus Dispatch, he coached me through mock interview questions and helped me land it. How many bosses would do that? Then again, I shouldn't have been too surprised. This is the same guy who once let me and a coworker dump ice-cold water on him for an "ice bucket challenge" video. He always gives 100% to everything and everyone. I remember Matt used to joke that he'd die on his desk mid-sentence, writing the best story of his life, leaving it unfinished. I'm glad he's going out this way instead. He's more than earned some time to relax in retirement. Congratulations, Matt! You've made a lasting impact on Sandusky and all of us who were lucky to have learned from you. Alissa Widman Neese, former Register reporter *** I'm grateful Matt took a chance on me as a college intern back in 2014. The reporting experience I gained during my internship at the Register was invaluable and prepared me for my return to the Register in 2016. I appreciate that, whether I was an intern or a full-time journalist, he took the time to answer my questions, help me find sources, guide me through writing important emails and overall teach me how to be a better writer and communicator. To this day, I still use techniques I learned from him in my job as a communications consultant. I'll always remember Matt quoting Yoda from Star Wars: "Do or do not, there is no try." He truly embodies that quote as a journalist, and I'm thankful I had the opportunity to learn from one of the best. I wish him the best during his retirement. Caitlin Nearhood, former Register reporter *** Within the first week of my internship, Matt called me into his office from my desk all the way across the newsroom–asking what I already knew and what I'd hope to learn. Every few weeks, the same conversation would ensue, discussing current events, local businesses, famous journalists, and how it all impacts our job and community. He invited me that summer–at the time a college student who'd taken a lowly two journalism classes–to help with "Between the Lines" episode recordings, talk story angles, and track down a protest in Mylander Park. Observing Matt's interactions with sources, community members, and his staff taught me more about the profession and, quite simply, life, than I could've imagined. Here's what I learned: Take an interest in everything and everyone around you. In my subsequent journalism classes, with a leg-up in real-world experience, I encountered several guest speakers who'd worked alongside Matt at some point in his career. And they were never less than overjoyed to meet someone who'd gotten the chance to work alongside him too. Congratulations, Matt, on your leadership and dedicated service to journalism across northern Ohio. Jessie Opfer, former Register intern reporter *** I first met Matt as a very green, very shy intern. I was intrigued by him. He seemed to be everything I wasn't — confident, loud, boisterous at times, yet always grounded by a central conviction to serve the community first. As I worked my way up the ranks, Matt took me under his wing. I sat in an office next to his and had a front-row seat to the behind the scenes workings of someone who did their due diligence holding people in power accountable. He was not afraid to make a phone call to anyone, regardless of office or station. He asked the tough questions. I may have heard him raise his voice a time or two when things got heated (more likely when someone was trying to give him the runaround). He believed that journalism should 'comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable,' a quote attributed to Chicago Evening Post journalist and humorist Finley Peter Dunne, and I saw him put that into practice every single day. Nearly 20 years later, I'm leading a newsroom myself. I've found myself in tough conversations with readers, sources and other constituents, and I find myself thinking about how Matt would handle the situation. My style is different, sure, but there is a thread of passion and purpose — the service to the community — that grounds all that I do in this work. Matt inspired that, and I thank him for it. The Sandusky community is better off and better informed because of Matt Westerhold, and we have a lot to thank him for. I wish him well in this next chapter, and look forward to seeing what he does. Ashley Bethard, former Register entertainment/Funcoast! editor *** Matt built one of the greatest small newspapers in American history by pushing reporters and editors to hold the powerful accountable (often through public records requests and lawsuits), and caring about the public rather than making friends. His success can be measured in the dozens and dozens of awards the Register accrued under his watch, but also by the careers he helped launch. He had an incredible eye for talent and was the consummate teacher, but he was also the consummate friend: He even spoke at our wedding. The journalism world, Northern Onion and anyone who's ever worked for him are better because he gave us his heart and soul day in and day out for so many years. In a world inundated with agendas and egos, Matt only cares about the truth. He's the Cullinan Diamond of journalism, and we're so lucky he lent his shine to so many of us. Jason Singer, former Register city reporter and online editor, and Susan McMillan, former Register education reporter *** As a young reporter, Matt taught me the importance of holding public officials accountable no matter how uncomfortable it might be. There were times when he challenged me to call someone back, ask the tough questions and follow up relentlessly. He modeled this in his own reporting, and I always admired the way he refused to back down or look the other way when it would have been far easier to let something go. Because of these lessons and his mentorship, I had the opportunity to cover everything from a murder trial to the fallout of the Great Recession, the opioid crisis, local politics and crime, corruption and the occasional cover-up. In the five years I worked at the Register, I was proud to contribute to award-winning reporting and more importantly, shed light on issues that needed exposure. He instilled in me a deep sense of social justice that has stayed with me to this day. He also taught me the importance of discernment and how to be a responsible editor. Just because someone shares something in a public forum doesn't always mean it's worth reporting, which was an important lesson to learn. I'm grateful for the time I spent working with Matt as it formed the foundation for not only my writing career, but my personal values. Matt, I wish you all the best in your next chapter and look forward to seeing what you do next! Annie Zelm, former Register reporter and assistant news editor *** Matt is an amazing editor who is devoted to community journalism, no matter the outcome. He's committed to digging and learning. A story doesn't end for Matt after it's published. He understands that stories evolve. People open up. Reporting continues. Questions get answered. Matt makes tough staffing decisions. I worked at the Register for many years. He wanted the best and most devoted community-oriented journalists. He didn't settle for mediocrity. One of the absolute funniest moments I ever had with Matt is when a reporter told us he missed an assignment because he had to wear gel inserts in his shoes. I lost it. Left his office. Matt said, "tell me about this." God bless, Matt. Brandi Barhite, former Register city reporter *** Thank you Matt for everything. Your work will be missed. Melissa Topey, former Register reporter *** The only human emotion pushing anything in a direction is passion. Matt is definitely that! You can't buy it... When you look at the greater Sandusky area today next to 25 years ago, there is no question Matt Westerhold has been part of the momentum, encouragement, and occasional consternation helping us get to, and to do the right things. Thanks Matt for your leadership over the years. You should be especially proud of the talent you have helped to mentor and grow in the responsibility of journalism and community service. Tim Parkison, former Register publisher *** My photojournalism career started at the Sandusky Register in 2009 when I was hired as an intern. Working at a newspaper was intimidating at first, having to approach and call strangers to photograph them. Matt's big personality and the way he spoke to everyone and anyone encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and not let the job intimidate me. I would regularly hear his booming laughter throughout my workday as it echoed through the newsroom. He has a great sense of humor but also deep empathy for people and their stories. Peppered among the laughs, I also witnessed tears in his eyes and felt his anger over the injustices of life, society, and the systems it is run under. By the time I left the Register in 2015, his leadership instilled in me a passion for journalism and a bit of the fearlessness he exuded that the job requires. Without Matt's guidance, I would not be the photographer I am today and I would not have had the courage to be in the thick of some of the events I have covered. I hope Matt knows that within my byline, he holds an invisible credit. Angela Wilhelm, former Register photographer *** I cold emailed Matt as a pesky college kid seeking to write for the newspaper I grew up reading. Green as I was, his polite reply surprised me — a request to chat more and have me visit the newsroom sometime. When we did, he offered me a freelance gig on the spot to cover a presidential candidate's visit to Ohio. (In retrospect, that was a lot of confidence in a young reporter he'd just met.) The assignment led to a summer internship that propelled my career. Matt was tough, but unfailingly helpful and fiercely loyal to anyone in his employ. I've tried to follow that lead in the years since. Tyler Buchanan, former Register reporter *** It is with respect and gratitude that I salute Matt Westerhold, in his retirement on Aug. 1. I had the opportunity of working with Matt since early 2021, but Matt's journey with the Sandusky Register goes back much further. In 2006, he took the helm as editor, a role that was expanded in 2020 to become executive editor for a stable of newspapers including the Norwalk Reflector, Findlay Courier, Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune and Fostoria Review-Times. Matt's passion for the city of Sandusky is legendary, matched only by his unwavering dedication to strong journalism. He cultivated deep relationships with the people of the region, leveraging these connections to champion the community and uncover news stories. His fearless investigative reporting and unwavering commitment to righting the wrongs as he saw them, defined his tenure. Under his leadership, the Sandusky Register consistently earned the prestigious title of "Best Daily in Ohio" in its circulation group from the Associated Press of Ohio multiple times, a testament to his pursuit of excellence. Matt's impact on local journalism and the Sandusky community is immeasurable. We wish you a well-deserved, fulfilling retirement. John Kridelbaugh, Register general manager *** From the moment I first walked into my interview, Matt encouraged me to ask uncomfortable questions and seek out what I found interesting and important for the community to know. As an intern, I expected to be handling busy work and coffee runs, but Matt gave me the opportunity to be a full-fledged writer. He took my story pitches seriously, gave me opportunities to talk to politicians and let me write columns. He treated me with as much respect as a veteran journalist and helped me gain confidence in my abilities that I have carried on into my career past the Sandusky Register. I wish him all the best in a restful and well-deserved retirement! Sydney Moore, former Register intern reporter *** Undoubtedly, this notebook will contain numerous stories of Matt's doggedness and unyielding work ethic as a journalist and pursuer of all things true. So let me share a quick story about Matt's compassion, because as committed as he has been (and will continue to be, I'm sure) to getting at the root of local and state issues, he also had this same fervor for helping other journalists, especially those of us who were still wet behind the ears when we worked with him. The biggest mistake I've ever made as a copyeditor happened some time ago when I was going through front-page stories and came across a sentence I couldn't decipher. It was late in the evening and rather than bothering the reporter who wrote the story to tell me what the sentence was supposed to mean, which is what I should've done, I thought, because of my prior knowledge of the story's topic, that I could simply rewrite the sentence to make more sense. You can see where this is going. The next day, the fallout turned out to be a bit of a big deal — we'd ended up involving someone in a controversy that they weren't actually involved in, basically, with my misprint. Panicked, stricken and almost sick, I called Matt, who was our executive editor then, to ask him what I should do. Matt answered the phone jovially, as he always does, and asked, "What's up?" I blurted out what happened, which he let me get through before telling me that he'd already called the person we'd misprinted about and assured them how we'd make up for our mistake. The phrase "our mistake" was helpful to hear, though of course it'd been mine. Matt and I worked on a correction for the next day's paper that clarified what happened. At no point did he appear upset, disappointed or rattled at all. He just helped me learn the lesson I needed to learn and we moved on. Because of this, I know when we make mistakes there's always another day and another paper we can do better with, but there's also always enough time to get things right. Thanks, Matt, for all of your help and all of your wisdom, which I'll miss but never forget. Bret Nye, Findlay Courier community editor *** Matt has gone to bat for me more than once in my time with the Register, and he brings that same spirit of advocacy to his journalism. His relentlessness and questioning of authority figures have certainly elicited plenty of pushback over the years, but the world needs people like Matt who aren't afraid to keep pushing for answers and who will fight for those whose stories might otherwise have gone by the wayside. Andrea Davis, Register page designer *** The Sandusky Register is where I've spent a majority of my career. Matt Westerhold was always the newspaper's editor. I remember early on, when I was still a college student, Matt helped build my confidence. During one instance as an intern, I was the only photographer working. The others had the day off. Matt told me, "You're the chief (photographer) today." I accepted the challenge, and I ended up being successful. Matt told me that I came back with great photos, which were used on the front page the next day. From then on, I knew I wanted to be the "chief" someday. Now, here I am. I'm sure there are plenty of others who would agree that Matt supported them early into their careers and beyond. I'm grateful for the opportunities he gave me. He always welcomed me back to the newsroom while I worked toward my degree. Working at the newspaper while I was off from school was better than learning in a classroom. It gave me real-world experience. Matt's guidance shaped me into the journalist I am today. I've become more of a writer over the years even though my specialty is photography. We'll miss Matt here at the paper. I don't think I've met someone who is more passionate about Sandusky than him. Congrats on retirement, Matt. You deserve it. Thanks for everything you've done for me and the community. Erin Caldwell, Register chief photographer *** When I received the news in March that Matt was retiring from his position at the paper, let's just say I, along with so many others, was upset by the news. To say that Matt has played a huge role in not only my life but also in the lives of others is an understatement. No amount of words can truly encapsulate the impact that Matt has had, not just here at the Register but also in the community. When I moved from Colorado to Sandusky in May 2022, I was going through a rough patch in my life, working a dead-end job and struggling to find any sense of joy in my life. I had lost interest in things that I once loved, the main one being writing. But that changed when I decided to walk up to the front desk and ask if there were any unpaid internships. To my surprise, you gave me the position for reasons I may never know. I don't know what you saw in me that day, but I'm forever grateful for the opportunity. So Matt, thank you for being the best boss I could have ever asked for and for giving me my love of writing back, and I hope to be even just half of the amazing writer that you are. You have taught me so many valuable lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I will always cherish our friendship, and I look forward to seeing all the exciting things that lie ahead for you. Elizabeth Keefe, Register reporter *** I have been a reporter for more than 45 years, so obviously I have worked with a lot of editors. I liked most of them, but Matt is my favorite. Part of this is because of Matt's zest for making sure the news is covered, but I also suspect it is because even as his editorial duties have grown, he never stopped being a reporter and writing newspaper articles. I haven't often had to talk to him and ask for advice — at this point, there aren't many situations I have not been confronted with — but I still need to seek an editor's counsel sometimes. When I have needed to get Matt's feedback, it always seemed to be from the point of view of a working journalist. Tom Jackson, Register reporter *** Matt's work as a journalist speaks for itself, but who he was as a person is hard to put into words. One that comes to mind is "believer." In 2022, I graduated from college. After a quick congratulations from my family, I was told, "Start applying." From that point on, I sent my resume to anyone hiring. After about a full year of applying, interviewing and getting rejected, I finally found someone who believed in me and saw what I could offer beyond a portfolio and resume. That someone was Matt and the Sandusky Register team. On the first day of my "first big girl job," what I walked into would become the same image I began to see every time Matt came into the office, and one that I now miss: A pink thermos holding a full pot of coffee in the air, sunglasses on and the words "what up" becoming his signature greeting. His words of encouragement will never go undervalued. He always believed in my abilities more than I did. Every time he had a story for me, he would call me into his office and give me an assignment on what felt like a topic I knew nothing about. He would end the conversation asking, "Think you can handle it?" I would tell him "no," and he would ask "Why not?" I never had a reason. The same way he believed in me enough to bring me on this team, he believed in me enough to know I could handle whatever story was added to my plate. To him, I say thank you for believing in me and for being our President every Wednesday. No matter what anyone says, the joke never gets old. Jolena Gioiello, Register reporter *** It's no exaggeration to say Matt Westerhold was responsible for changing the trajectory of my life. As the end of my final semester of college came around in 2017, it was time to find a job in journalism and a place to start my career. It's a scary thing — not knowing if you'll be accepted or where you will end up and balancing the need to quickly secure a job and source of income while trying to stay as close geographically to my hometown as possible. I put out a number of job applications. Most never received a reply, but one call back I did recieve was from Matt and the leadership team at the Register. I ended up being hired — I was in Pittsburgh at the time — over the phone without an in-person interview. Matt was one of the people in my life who, without much initial proof of concept to go off of, seemingly blindly placed their faith in me. He didn't have to — and frankly, I couldn't say why he did — but I can't be thankful enough to him for it. Who knows where I would have ended up and how different my life would be today if I hadn't had that phone call with Matt Westerhold eight years ago? I've lived in a wonderful city of Sandusky and met so many amazing people over the years and have to credit Matt as one of the greatest reasons for that. Matt, I hope I've repaid the faith you placed in me. Matt is a fantastic journalist who's left an indelible mark on the news scene in Sandusky. The passion in his work is evident and if it wasn't clear how much he cares about truth-telling, storytelling and helping people in need from his writing — I think it should be — then as someone who worked with him closely for years, let me attest to the truth of that in the strongest possible terms. He is an outstanding role model for any up-and-coming journalist to take cues from. I know I did. Enjoy retirement, Matt, and don't be a stranger. Brandon Addeo, Sandusky Register and Norwalk Reflector community editor *** Matt really took a chance on me. I started out as a stringer who took photos at events. I wrote a few things and I didn't have a journalism degree. When Tom Jackson went to part-time, I was surprised to find myself in Matt's office with him offering me a part-time gig. Then, a few months later, I was offered the cops and courts beat. Matt was a great mentor who helped me develop and guided me through some tough stories. Not only that, when illness hit me hard last year and I spent a month in the hospital across five admissions, it would have been easy to jettison me but Matt and the whole team stood by me and allowed me to heal. I know Matt isn't truly done with journalism and I know I'll be able to utilize his knowledge and experience when I'm working on something that I'm not totally confident with. Bill Theisen, Register reporter *** To me, the best two attributes a boss could have are someone who always has your back and always makes time for you. In my 15 years here at the Register, I've written many difficult stories, covered so many sensitive topics and encountered my fair share of challenging people. During these instances and more, I needed Matt's guidance to get me through obstacles I encountered in my reporting — and he never said "no" to me. He was never too busy to deal with whatever issue I presented. That meant a lot to me. To appease our oldest — or, as Matt calls them, "our most loyal" — readers, whenever I write about a new project or building, I always reference its past usage. For instance, I'm well aware that JCPenney and Montgomery Ward once flourished in the downtown Sandusky business district. It's just one of many aspects of local journalism Matt instilled in me. But Matt, above all, was a champion for progress, advocating for many projects on the editorial pages — like revamping the Jackson Street Pier — benefiting, truly, thousands of community members. Without his constant pushing, many projects and services that community members enjoy today wouldn't have happened. It's that simple. Matt taught me the true essence of what it means to be a community reporter, ensuring every nook and cranny in the Register's immediate coverage area receives attention. A reader in Sandusky is just as valuable as one in Margaretta Township, Berlin Heights, Kelleys Island, etc. He always sought to represent those without a voice, the helpless who lost hope in humanity and all faith. With his grit, resilience and perseverance, he achieved many victories for local families who experienced loss after loss, including many in Sandusky County victimized by a once-corrupt law enforcement system. Regardless of whether or not you agreed with his political stances, you can't dismiss all of his personal wins turning into community triumphs. He's truly made this area better for all who live, work and play here. Fifteen years ago, not one media company gave me, a kid fresh out of college, a chance — that is until Matt stepped in and did so. He's a big reason I've stayed with the Register and still remain driven to write about local events, issues, features, businesses and more. I'm forever grateful for his trust and respect in me. And, to repay my enduring gratitude, I'll always do my best to report on what's right and what's wrong in our community so that it can reach its fullest potential. After all, that was Matt's driving motivation for all these years. Andy Ouriel, Register reporter