About this site

Lafayette County News is an independent publication launched in November 2025. If you subscribe today, you'll get full access to the website as well as email newsletters about new content when it's available. Your subscription makes this site possible, and allows Lafayette County News to continue to exist. Thank you!

About the Authors

Rhett Coleman

I'm Rhett, a proud 2009 graduate of Lafayette High School (LHS). My roots in Mayo run deep—my family has been part of this community since the 1800s, giving me a profound and personal stake in the future of Lafayette County. My passion for local storytelling started right here at LHS, where I founded the LHS News Program during my time as a student. Now, 20 years later, I'm honored and excited to return to that passion to launch Lafayette County News. Why Lafayette County News? Like many of you, I've noticed a significant gap in consistent, dedicated local coverage since the closure of the beloved Mayo Free Press. To stay informed, I found myself piecing together news from multiple different sources—a fragmented and time-consuming process. I realized that if I was already spending the time and effort to track down the stories that matter to our community, I might as well turn it into a dedicated, consistent, and reliable resource for everyone. Lafayette County News is my personal passion project and a necessary effort to ensure our community has a singular, trusted platform for local news, events, and important discussions.

Adam Wence

Adam Wence is the founder, owner, and editor of two other successful local newspapers dedicated to bringing community-centered journalism back to the people. Driven by a deep passion for government transparency, accountability, and open communication, Adam has built his publications on a simple but powerful principle: the people deserve to know what’s happening in their own backyard. Under his leadership, these news outlets have become trusted local sources for clear, factual reporting on city, county, and school government, as well as community events, public safety updates, and local stories that matter most to residents. Now he looks to take on the task of making Lafayette County News a paper for the people. Adam believes in empowering citizens through accessible, honest information and giving a voice to those often overlooked by larger outlets. His work reflects a lifelong dedication to preserving local journalism as a cornerstone of civic engagement and community integrity.