Clearwater Patch Readers: Thank You For Helping Us Grow

CLEARWATER, FL – It’s been seven years since Patch launched its hyperlocal online news site in Clearwater

Since that day on Feb. 23, 2011, Clearwater Patch has developed into one of the most vigorous Patch sites in Florida, thanks to the warm welcome and support of Clearwater residents.

The tech-savvy Clearwater community was quick to embrace this dynamic online source of local news.

We’ve been growing steadily since launching Clearwater Patch, and we have you to thank for that success.

In August, more than 58,000 people looked to Clearwater Patch for their local news on their laptops, tablets, cell phones and through the Patch app, as verified through Google Analytics.

Here’s some other facts about Clearwater Patch:

· We have 2,750 Facebook followers

· We’ve added 189 Clearwater Patch daily newsletter subscribers this year (Wait? You don't get our email? Click here and we'll hook you up.)

· So far in 2018, 1,186 readers have turned to Clearwater Patch’s calendar to find out what’s happening in the community

· And since the beginning of the year, 59 Clearwater Patch readers have used our online news site to post upcoming events, stories, announcements and opinion pieces

Here are 10 of the most-read articles on Clearwater Patch this year:

• Sheriff To Sharpton: Go Back To New York, Mind Your Own Business
• IN Man: Wife Got Flesh-Eating Bacteria from Clearwater Hot Tub
• Death Of Single Mom Of 7 Allowed 68 People To Live
• Clearwater Rescue Crews Save 5 Swimmers Caught In Rip Currents
• Couple Get Married, Then Get Arrested
• Elderly Woman Outsmarts Would-Be Kidnapper: Police
• Godfather Of Funk Makes Final Visit To Tampa Bay Saturday
• Clearwater Beach Named Top Beach In U.S. By TripAdvisor
• Dolphin At Clearwater Aquarium Picks College Champion: Watch
• Have You Spotted Tom Cruise In Clearwater Yet?

I’m D’Ann Lawrence White, your local editor.

Beyond being a journalist in Tampa Bay for 30 years, I’m also a mom and wife, a homeowner, a pet owner, a volunteer, a voter and a consumer.

So, the same issues that are important to you are important to me as well. Like you, I’m concerned about school safety, crime in our neighborhoods, decisions by government that impact my pocketbook and my quality of life, and severe weather that may threaten my home and the safety of my family.

I’m also interested in the more light-hearted local news -- what new restaurants are opening, the scores of the Friday night high school football games, the starting lineup for the next Bucs game and weekend festivals, concerts and other happenings I can attend with my family.

The stories I write reflect those concerns and interests.

At the same time, it’s impossible for me to know everything that’s going on in my community. That’s where you come in. I depend on Patch readers to be my eyes and ears – to send me news tips, to alert me to issues of concern, to post upcoming events on our calendar and announcements on our bulletin board, and, yes, to correct me when I get it wrong.

Clearwater Patch wouldn’t exist without the support of our readers. I'm always anxious to hear from you. Send your tips, ideas for improving and questions to me at dann.white@patch.com or you can message me on the Patch Facebook page.

I'd also like to remind you that it’s easy to post your events and announcements on Clearwater Patch. You can easily to sign up for a free user profile. As a Patch user, you can post articles, events, jobs and announcements. And the "rules of Patch" are easy to follow: "no abusive content, no commercial spam, keep it local, and be awesome."

If you own a business and are interested in getting your message on Clearwater Patch or our nearby Patches, please visit the page and tell us what you need. One of our sales reps will be in touch.

Here's a fun fact about Patch: Did you know that Patch is among the 100 biggest websites in the United States? Patch ranks 91st on the most viewed websites in the country, according to Alexa.

Clearwater Patch is part of a broad network, with 39 other Patch sites in Florida more than 1,200 across the United States. That's a lot of local news!

Many news websites are limiting access to free articles, but Patch articles and events by our journalists and our users are always free to view. We might not have the resources of local newspapers or TV stations, but you can look to us for the latest breaking news alerts and coverage of important local issues around Clearwater.

Image via city of Clearwater