Our History
The idea for The East Haddam News was born in 2014 during a joint meeting of the Economic Development Commission, chaired by Bob Casner, and the East Haddam Business Association, chaired by Irene Haines.
All local business owners were invited, and among the many topics discussed that evening, one idea stood out above the rest. Creating a weekly community newspaper.
The goal was simple but important. Give local businesses a place to showcase their products and services, and provide residents with a reliable source of local news and information about town issues.
Soon after, three local business leaders, Bob Casner, Irene Haines, and Ken Grohbrugge, began exploring how to make the newspaper a reality. Producing a paper meant finding an editor, a printer, an advertising representative, layout staff, and a news team. It was a big undertaking.
Following months of research into newspaper publishing, the group reached out to printer Rare Reminder of Rocky Hill. Greg Barden then joined the team, helping to coordinate everything and successfully launched the paper.
In April 2015, the very first issue of The East Haddam News rolled off the press.
A year later, in 2016, business owners from Haddam reached out for guidance on starting their own local paper. Instead of beginning from scratch, they were encouraged to partner with East Haddam.
Six months later, the two towns were jointly publishing the East Haddam News/Haddam News.
A few years later, Killingworth joined the Haddam team, creating the Haddam Killingworth News.
— by Bob Casner
Meet The Boards Members
Behind every headline is a team that cares deeply about this community. Our staff brings curiosity, professionalism, and local insight to every story—working hard to keep readers informed, engaged, and connected to what’s happening close to home.
Bob Casner
Bob Casner is President and one of the Founders of the East Haddam News. The paper started printing the local newspaper in 2015 and has been delivered free of charge to every household in East Haddam ever since. Besides working on the paper, Bob had been a building contractor in East Haddam for 50 years and is now retired.
Lori Olson
Lori Olson is a lifelong resident of East Haddam. She is currently the Bookkeeper and Sales Coordinator for the East Haddam News. She is also the town's Land Use Administrative Assistant, following 10 years managing the East Haddam Food Bank.
Mike Robidoux
Mike Robidoux is a lifelong Connecticut resident and has been an East Haddam resident since 2012. Mike has two teenage boys and is very active with them, and their activities. In addition to being on the Board of the East Haddam News, Mike is also on the board of the Economic Development Commission. Mike is a Life Insurance Broker. Helping people and families with all their life and health insurance needs.
Peter Marteka
Peter Marteka has been the editor of the East Haddam News since June 2022, succeeding the late David Holahan. Prior to that, he worked for the Hartford Courant from 1996 to 2020. During that time, he wrote an award-winning weekly column about hiking and outdoor recreation from 1997 to 2020. Marteka has also been writing about hiking for Connecticut Magazine since 2021. He also lived in East Haddam from 1997 until 2005.
