The Orange County Register Goes Back to Feel-Good Stories

Fullerton - Since the exodus of Orange County Register staff reporter Adam Townsend over a week ago, stories covering Fullerton have become weak and without substance.  One might even say that the OC Register has taken a page out of the Fullerton Observer's playbook.

Townsend was the staff reporter assigned to cover events in Fullerton after staff reporter Barbara Giasone retired in 2009.  Townsend's first stories typified the lethargy in local media, covering lemonade stands and cats in trees.  It wasn't long before he was taken to task by several Fullerton residents and business owners to dig deep.  Townsend answered the call with stories on employee salaries and pensions. 

Fullerton is now covered by no one in particular.  The latest headlines for Fullerton read like a civic events bulletin:

Mon 08 Nov 10 - Red light, yellow light, and ... blue? — By MICHAEL MELLO

Mon 08 Nov 10 - Troy sweeps at league finals — SUBMITTED BY DONNA JUDD

Mon 08 Nov 10 - Fullerton library screens '1981' tonight — BY HEATHER McREA

Mon 08 Nov 10 - Group holds fundraiser for Fullerton kids — By ADAM TOWNSEND

Mon 08 Nov 10 - Represent Fullerton in your travels — BY HEATHER McREA

Sun 07 Nov 10 - Giveaway: Star Wars Clone Wars, Goosebumps & more — By AMY STEVENS

Sun 07 Nov 10 - The surprise and elation of childhood firsts — By MARK UYEMURA

Sat 06 Nov 10 - Cypress beats Fullerton in Pop Warner title game — BY RORY BARNETT

Even one of Townsend’s remnant stories still lingers.  There may be one or two others to appear in the next several days but no one is holding their breath.  The vacuum created by Townsend's departure leaves City Hall under a veil of political fog.  For the councilmembers-elect, that means no one will be looking over their shoulders but a few bloggers, including the Sentinel.  Time will tell if it's enough.

Best wishes to Adam Townsend on his new endeavor to South OC.