With local newspapers seemingly unable to make the switch to an online world and dying off like flies, the concept of the “hyper-local” news site has taken off. The genre has a attracted the attention of big media with AOL pouring millions of dollars into building a network of thousands of Patch.com hyper-local sites and MSNBC acquiring everyblock.com, a smaller (16 sites) hyper-local network. Founded in 2010, Oakland Local (OL) is different. Published  by a community based, non-profit organization, it’s … Continue reading →