Metromode’s On The Ground Series Focuses On Sterling Heights

The website has embedded a journalist in Sterling Heights to tell stories of residents in the area.

The city of Sterling Heights is the subject of a new reporting project by Metromode.  The website has embedded a journalist there to tell stories of residents in the area. 

Nina Ignaczak is the managing editor for Metromode.  Kate Roff is the project editor for “On the Ground – Sterling Heights.” 

Ignaczak says the “On The Ground” project is about better understanding communities in Metro Detroit.

“We’ll have a reporter in the community who will go to community events, who will meet the people and try to understand the vibe of the community,” says Ignaczak.

Kate Roff says being embedded in the city is leading to better stories.

“It’s a way of really getting to know a community, as opposed to a parachute journalism style,” says Roff, “where you’re going in without understanding the nuances of it.”

Roff says she’s been surprised by the number of residents working to improve their city.  She says, “people are not just working there.”

“They’ve redone a lot of their parks. People are reclaiming the Clinton River — and so a lot of people are focusing on living in Sterling Heights.”

WDET and Metromode are working together to tell more stories about Metro Detroit through the “On The Ground” series.

Click on the audio player above to hear an interview with Nina Ignaczak and Kate Roff.  You can read the “On The Ground” stories here.

Author

  • Jerome Vaughn
    Jerome Vaughn is News Director at 101.9 WDET. His interest in news reporting began when he was five years old, after his mom bought him a yellow Panasonic ball and chain radio.