New Managing Editor at Rockton-Roscoe News

Harold Bone, who has been sports editor and sales manager for the Rockton-Roscoe News, is taking on the responsibility of managing editor. He will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of our award-winning news outlet.

After the transition, founding editor Michael McGinnis plans to continue producing the daily newsletter, the weekly death notices, and other stories to be determined. On June 5 he will receive an award for investigative reporting at the Illinois Press Association convention for his coverage of the Chemtool disaster.

Michael says he's been wanting to pass on the torch for some time. "I've been overwhelmed and grateful to my staff and our communities for the success we've enjoyed so far. I didn't expect it. But every reporter on our team has strengths that I don't have, and I'm looking forward to seeing Harold using his in an expanded way."

Alycia Dioneda Schneedle will serve as associate editor. She will be honored for excellence in news reporting at the Illinois Press Association convention, for a challenging report on a elementary school book fair. She is also an award-winning children's book author.

We're also launching a new logo today, adapted from designs by Cindy Rowe Marketing.

Before joining our staff in 2021, Harold Bone worked with station operations, events, and sales at WADR Janesville Community Radio. He was previously sports director for WAAC Public Access Channel in Wausau WI. He holds a bachelor of science in psychology with a minor in English from Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, WI and certificates in radio broadcasting and media sales.

Harold says:

I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for this opportunity to become the managing editor of the Rockton-Roscoe News. Right now is a great time to be in the Rockton, Roscoe and South Beloit communities. So many great things to share about our schools, businesses and the people that make Rockton, Roscoe and South Beloit a wonderful place to live, work and enjoy our lives. 

I have been affiliated with the Rockton-Roscoe News since 2021 and seen it develop from a niche independent media source to now the leader in news for the Rockton, Roscoe and South Beloit communities. 

With over two thousand local people receiving our newsletter daily the thirst for hyperlocal news has never been more wanted and needed. 

Rockton Roscoe News is the first daily all-news outlet exclusively for Roscoe, Rockton, and South Beloit since 1835. We have provided independent, locally-owned journalism for farthest northern Winnebago County, Illinois since April 2021. With several part-time reporters and columnists, as well as student interns, our work is only made possible by advertising and memberships.