Barrett Lawlis

Background

About Barrett Lawlis

In my time as a reporter since graduating from Ohio University, I have covered a broad range of topics. At the Newark Advocate, I was responsible for breaking news first, reporting from the scenes of house fires and car crashes to provide accurate updates as the situations progressed. One of my biggest responsibilities was covering new developments in the Buckeye Lake dam project, a $110 million endeavor by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to reinforce a 4.1 mile earthen dam, started in 2015. The project directly affected the residents of Buckeye Lake, damaging their livelihoods. I wrote about state programs for residents in need and what the residents felt they needed from the state. Both sides of the argument needed their voices heard, while getting all the facts straight helped convey the true scenario to anyone living outside the area. For two and a half months, I was responsible for reporting on the happenings in Granville for the Granville Sentinel, a weekly publication. I took my own photos, worked to develop my own stories and had to build contacts within that community for fair and balanced reporting. For instance, a dispute between Denison University and a group of residents about solar panels and property values brought several heated debates. To get to the bottom of the issue, reaching out to key members of both parties required tact to ensure that the news reported was biased or hearsay. I have a strong drive to provide accurate news quickly. With my time at the Advocate, the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette and the Chillicothe Gazette, I have experience working solo or as a team, cooperating with colleagues to create comprehensive and engaging stories. I am comfortable taking my own photos using a DSLR camera, during regular events or breaking news. I can capture and edit my own videos to complement written stories or as stand-alone features.